Second Verse, Same As The First

Well gang, that was fun...wasn't it? "Year One" started out a lot like the original 102 years did as the Cubs fell to the Braves Eleventy-Five to Five (or something like that).

It wasn't a total loss however. Zambrano looked sharp and showed a lot of composure, Samardzija looked really effective out of the pen and could be a top-end starter in no time, and some records were set:

* The Cubs gave up at least six runs in two innings. The last time they did that was July 3, 1999 in Philadelphia, a 21-8 loss. The last time the Braves had two 6-plus run innings against the Cubs was August 14, 1934, when the Boston Braves beat the Cubs, 15-2, at Wrigley.

* Only once have the Cubs given up more than six runs in an inning on Opening Day. On April 5, 1988, they gave up seven runs in the fourth in Atlanta -- yet beat the Braves, 10-9, in 13 innings.

* The last time the Cubs gave up six runs in an inning on Opening Day was March 31, 1998, in Florida. The Marlins took a 6-3 lead in the first inning.

* Carlos Zambrano lasted 1 1/3 innings vs. the Braves, matching his shortest career start. The last time a Cubs starting pitcher had an abbreviated outing on Opening Day was April 12, 1965. In that game, Larry Jackson lasted just two-thirds of an inning, giving up four hits, two walks, five runs (three earned). The Cubs and Cardinals played to a 10-10 tie.

* The 16 runs are the most ever served up by the Cubs on Opening Day. The previous
high was 15 on May 1, 1884, when New York beat Chicago, 15-3. Since 1900, the most runs given up was 12 on April 4, 1994, in the Mets' 12-8 win.

* The May 1, 1884, game 12-run deficit also is the largest margin of defeat in the season opener. However, Monday's 11 run deficit sets a moder Cubs Opening Day mark, eclipsing nine-run losses (10-1 to the Reds on April 4, 1914; and 11-2 to the Astros, April 10, 1962).

I know it's one game and the Cubs can still acheive my 161-1 prediction, but a couple of more performances like this one and I think we'll all be ready for Year Two to start.