I wanted to write something witty today. Something creative, about how big a moron Corey Patterson is. After all, Corey was quoted after a Colorado game (in which he struck out with the bases loaded to end it), saying, "it's just a game."

Corey, no, it's not just a game. There are players out there who go to bed early, get up even earlier, sacrifice all their time, sweat blood and stretch limbs in order to "just" play the game. And most of them never make it to the majors. There are guys who sacrifice their marriages, never get to know their children or watch them grow up, fail to attend relative's funerals, and practically live in squalor. And most of them never make it to the majors. These are the guys who would kill for one at bat. One inning pitched. One moment surrounded by thirty thousand, facing alone another man who throws lightning.

Corey Patterson is not one of those people.

Corey Patterson is selfish, rich, and lazy. He doesn't care about his performance, he already has millions of dollars. He doesn't have the mental fortitude you need to be a star. He's gone as far as his talent alone can take him and, for no one but him has he gone far enough.

I no longer care if Corey Patterson is the next Lou Brock (although I'm convinced he won't be.) I don't care if Corey Patterson is the next Barry Bonds, the next Hank Aaron, the next Jesus Christ. He can perform his miracles and feats on some other team.

But instead, he's starting - starting??!! - with the Cubs. He's our every day center fielder.

But hey, I shouldn't get so upset. Although I've now watched the Cubs lose for 25 years, it's just a game. In spite of how I've spent almost every spare penny I have on Cubs-related things (jerseys, hats, conventions, games, web sites), I shouldn't get upset when Corey Patterson fails to succeed. It's just a game. In spite of the emotional investment I've made in this team, feeling high when they win, low when they lose, crushed when they lost in 2003, hoping and sometimes even praying that something miraculous will happen, I apparently have no right to become frustrated when Corey Patterson becomes almost single-handedly responsible for why my team fails to reach the playoffs.

Because it's just a game.

And Corey Patterson is just another shitty player in the game. I hope he someday realizes it, and cares.