Qualified Links--Pitchers And Catchers Report Edition

• Is it finally the "next year" Cubs fans are always talking about? The journey starts today.
  
• Bulls blow the game in spectacular fashion against the Heat last night. As my friend NQTC reader Adam pointed out, where was Rose on that last inbounds play? And why was an ice-cold Thabo inbounding the ball?
  
• Illinois comes back in spectacular fashion to beat Northwestern in Evanston. Meacham looked amazing down the stretch.
  
• Griffey's short-lived stay on the South Side gets closure as he returns to the Mariners.
• In defense of Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah. Even though I would rather have Amare, I do like these guys.
  
• If you live in Chicago (which most of our readers do), this is not going to be very uplifting: Forbes listed us as the most miserable city in America. Ouch.
• So was Joaquin Phoenix on drugs when he did Letterman Wednesday night? It sure seems like it.
• Oh that pick McDyess set on Rose the other night? The Bulls are asking the league to review it. It might have been dirty, but McNice? Seems unlikely.
  
• Ok, so Portland is apparently out of the Amare running. That's good for the Bulls, considering their package was definitely the best out of the ones that I have heard offered.
• A team is down 5 with 12 seconds and makes an intentional foul. Then the team that was behind wins by 6. This is not a joke (well it sort of is, but it really happened).

Hyped Up Showdown Between Blago and Illinois Senate Marred By Poor Sportsmanship; Senate Runs Up Score 59-0

In a contest reminiscent of a mid-90s Nebraska football game, the Illinois Senate ran up the score yesterday evening, voting to convict Blago 59-0. Good riddance jackass!

Oh and one last thank you to ex-Governor Blagojevich for adding a third thing for Chicago to be known for. Al Capone and Michael Jordan, say hello to Rod's terrible, terrible hair.

Off The Expressway, Over The River, Off The Bilboard, Through The Window, Off The Wall, Nothing But Net

What would you do for a Big Mac? Well if you are a giant white man with bad knees I guess you would play some sort of crazy game of Horse against Michael Jordan for it. Commercials used to be so f#$%ing awesome:

Where Am I Going To Get My Hot Dogs??

I know this doesn't have anything to do with sports, but it is disturbing nonetheless. Apparently Weiners Circle has been shut down by the City Department of Public Health. For what you ask? According to the Chicagoist:

The City Department of Public Health shut the Lincoln Park institution today after an inspection found no hot running water on premises and food stored at unsafe temperatures.

Are you serious? I never thought an upstanding high quality joint like the Weiners Circle could ever be cited for health violations. Oh wait, yeah I did. Either way this sucks because I eat there at least once a week (my girlfriend will tell you I eat there 2-3 times a week, but what does she know?). Where am I going to get my Chicago-style hot dog from now?

Chicago Election Rules: Vote Early and Often

I know this is supposed to be a sports blog, but on election day I figured I should put up some election news. What better election news than voting shenanigans in Chicago? Well the Chicagoist is reporting that just such shenanigans are occurring, and in true Chicago fashion:

It's barely 8:30 a.m. and already a report of a voting glitch down in Pilsen.
Reader Lindsay sent us a tip, saying:
I was in line by 6:05 and at 6:30 I opted to vote with the electronic booth. Then I noticed something fishy, it was only asking me about Federal races. I had stayed up last night figuring which of the 100 judges was good and deciding how I felt about Con-Con and now I had no say? I asked the election judge who said, that's just the way it is. I know my rights and caused a fuss, saying something was wrong. In what world do you get a smaller ballot if you vote electronically? I then asked another election judge and there was major confusion before that realized that for me and everyone before me they had been using the wrong code. And now they did not know how to spoil my ballot. So in true Chicago style they let me cast my ballot and gave me a new card.

That reminds me of All-Star voting in the NBA and MLB. I always grab like 20 ballots and fill them out with all Chicago starters. The only difference is this is a real election. God Bless Chicago.