I know, I know, I've been lax of late, and while some of it is due to some legitimate issues around work and time, much more of my absence can be linked to a general end of season, out of the race malaise.

However, just because there's little joy to be had in watching the Cubs stumble through the final games doesn't mean there's nothing to comment on, so now that I've had my little break, it's time to get back to it. I'll be trying for several short posts today. Let's see how it works.

The Beginning of the End?

"I'm sure Corey and I will have some chats before he goes home," Hendry said. "He would be the first to say he didn't perform up to his expectations this year, or ours. That doesn't mean he can't rebound from it. It also means he's going to have to get better."

That's a quote from an article in this morning's Tribune, much of which had to do with the possibility of Felix Pie possibly making the jump from AA to the Majors next year, and what I notice that's different, subtle though it may be, is the first overt sign I've seen (although, I might have missed something in recent days) that Corey Patterson does not have the unconditional support of the organization.

Granted, there have been less direct signals, and I've commented a bit on the unsavory tactics occasionally involved, but this is the first I've seen of Jim Hendry essentially laying down the law. Previously, the talk has been all about wanting to help Corey get better, but in this quote, he very distinctly says that he'll have to get better.

The difference is small, but I think it's important, and for those of you looking and hoping for signs that the Corey Patterson Era is nearing an end, I have a feeling this is only first of many indications that it will soon be so.