Ahem … and now, a song to the tune of “A Very Good Year”:

On September 12th and 13th,

It was a very good weekend

It was a very good weekend

since Iowa lost to ISU

the Cubs won two

Sammy hit 60,61 and 62

and my U.S. Open picks came true.

I had a fabulous weekend, as did the many Cub and Cyclone fans this weekend:

September 13th:

“Fifteen years of frustration out the window.” — Pete Taylor, Cyclone Radio Network.

“I know how McCarney’s always talking about how great Hayden Fry is — but Hayden Fry — we kicked your ass.” — Todd Bandhauer, ISU starting quarterback on the win.

“Swing and a drive, deep right center … and Sammy joins the Babe! An opposite field home run onto Sheffield Avenue!”

“Cubs win! Cubs win! Cubs win! A pinch-hit, three-run home run for Orlando Merced and the Cubs win!” — Pat Hughes, WGN and the Cubs Radio Network.

“Its hard to describe the feeling” — Lindsay Davenport, 1998 U.S. Open Champion.

September 14th:

“Swing and there it is: No. 62 for Sammy!”

“Here’s a drive to deep right, all the way back aaaand gone! Cubs win! Cubs win! Cubs win! A home run in the bottom of the tenth for Mark Grace and the Cubs win!” —Pat Hughes, WGN and the Cubs Radio Network.

“Now I can look back and say to people that I’ve done it again.” — Pat Rafter, 1997 and 1998 U.S. Open Champion.

Oh yes, it was a good weekend. First, I slept in on Saturday, ate some breakfast and started to watch The U.S. Open’s Super Saturday, since I didn’t, and don’t, have cable (poor, deprived child), so I couldn’t watch the game. Also, I won’t lie: I didn’t think we would win. Periodically during the Carlos Moya/Mark Philippousis semifinal, I would check the score via 1430 KASI. When I heard it was 10-0, I was surprised, but not hopeful yet. When it became 10-3, I thought, here we go again. When we scored again, I started to believe a little bit — and then a lot, when we stuffed Iowa and marched down to put three on the board to go up 20-3 before the half.

When we walked all over the Hawkeye defense for seven more to start the second, I started to think we could win the game. And though the Hawkeyes scored, when the 2-pointer didn’t succeed, I knew all we had to do was to not pull a Colorado 1997 out of the hat.

And when we won, I leaped up and started running around, raising the roof and shouting “27-9! 27-9!”

Since I listened to the second half while I was moving around and setting up tables and exhibits for the Experience India event at the Bethesda Lutheran Church, this raised a few eyebrows, but when I explained to my fellow laborers that we had just won, they understood my reaction. In fact, broad grins spread slowly across all their faces.

I returned home to find out that Lindsay Davenport, my pick to win the U.S. Open, had indeed come through and won. Then I sat down and watched the Sampras-Rafter match. After an epic 5-set tussle, Rafter’s superior quickness and volleying pulled him through in the fifth. The great rallies in the fourth showcased the skills of my new favorite player (Rafter, ever since Stefan Edberg retired).

Then I listened to the ninth inning of the Cubs game. They rallied magnificently to top off my day, capped off by Orlando Merced’s three-run home run in with one out, breaking the tie and winning the game for the Cubs, helping them to take a one game lead in the wild card race.

On Sunday, the day went more slowly until afternoon. I was happy to find out that my man Marino and the Dolphins continued their march to the Super Bowl in Miami, and I sat down to watch the final of the U.S. Open between Rafter and Philippousis. Dominance. Sheer dominance by Pat Rafter, as he made an unheard of five errors against some 40 winners.

Then I found out the Cubs won again, rallying behind Sammy’s 61st and 62nd home runs. Gracie finished the deal with a gopher ball in extra innings. Sammy didn’t get the attention McGwire got, but he did just as much, with a pair of 480 foot shots, much longer than Mac’s 62nd. No marked balls, no Maris family members, no Bud Selig. Shows you who MLB wanted to break the record. Certainly not the black, Dominican, shoeshine boy. Thank goodness McGwire and Sosa have risen above that.

All in all, my teams won, the teams I hate (Cowboys, Eagles) lost, and the underdogs I always fall for (Saints, Falcons) kicked butt.

What a Weekend!