After last night's loss, every Cub fan could use one. Luckily, I found one this morning while (I'll admit it; curiosity got to me) Googling my name...

Remember that Zoloft article I wrote a few weeks ago in response to a series of crushing defeats? Well, those who commented on the post clearly understood it was written in jest. Some pharmaceutical blog ... not so much.

Do Cubs owners and fans know that Zoloft increases the risks of suicidal behavior?

After requiring Black Box warning labels (October 2004), FDA issued an additional advisory warning about Zoloft (July 2, 2005):

"FDA has concluded that suicidal thinking or behavior may increase in pediatric patients treated with any type of antidepressant, especially early in treatment. Increases in suicidal thinking or behavior due to drug can be expected in about 1 out of 50 treated pediatric patients. Note that, Zoloft is approved for treating pediatric patients only if they have obsessive-compulsive disorder." [Link]

Will the FDA allow toxic prescription drugs that carry Black Box warnings about life-threatening risks to be marketed like jelly beans?

The blog then went on to quote the entirety of my post, taking it word for word. I just about peed my pants laughing.

But it gets better. I found a follow up post on the same blog:

We received several inquiries suggesting that the Chicago Cubs news item reported by the Associated Press was a hoax--The report (byline AP) reported that the Cubs made a deal with Pfizer which would give ticket stub holders a 20% discount on its suicide-inducing drug, Zoloft.

One of our colleagues has a call into Cubs but no response so far--If it turns out to be a hoax we will notify you.

How dumb can people get? A similar thing happened last year at my old site in response to a humorous article I wrote about Dusty Baker taking prescription growth hormone from his son and selling it to Barry Bonds. It wound up on a message board, and it was days before someone politely pointed out that the article was a joke.

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I got a good laugh out of the whole thing, and it sure beats discussing yet another bullpen meltdown.