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Chicago Cubs glory of 1945...or not.
2011-11-07 06:11:00 I am one of a select group of people who was actually alive in 1945 when the Chicago Cubs played in their 10th world series. After all that was only 66 years ago. This generation understands that the Cubs won the series in 1908 against the Detroit Tigers. However, they also claimed the title one... Read more »
The Chicago Cubs are Ketchup, and other Reasons I'm a White Sox Fan
2011-06-29 15:57:00 In anticipation of this weekend's second leg of the biannual "Crosstown BP South Side vs. North Side Bad vs. Worse...Cup...Classic", I thought hey, why not identify my reasons for being a Sox fan, by lazily resorting to illogical metaphors, loose associations, and shameless stereotypes? Yep, no way this has been done before. I'm a Sox Fan because:Despite growing up 15 miles south of Comiskey Park, it always felt as though it was in my back yard, as if it was a salient feature of "my neighborhood". I never felt uncomfortable in my neighborhood, and likewise, never felt uncomfortable at Comiskey Park. Wrigley Field on the other hand could have been in ...Wasilla Alaska as far as I was concerned, and that...
Chicago Cubs Not Worthy of Such A Devoted Fan Base
2011-06-28 21:52:00 I had the opportunity to watch the Cubs' series in Kansas City this past weekend. As we all know, the Cubs lost two of three to the equally-as-bad Royals, stranded a slew of runners, got out-bullpened, and Starlin Castro was once again made an example of by manager Mike Quade.It was business as usual for the Cubs.One thing I was amazed with while taking in the atmosphere at Kauffman Stadium was the overwhelming amount of Cubs fans in attendance. From the moment I arrived in Kansas City, everywhere I looked there were Cubs fans to be found. At a Dick's Sporting Goods twenty-five minutes north of Kauffman Stadium, the first three people I saw that weren't wearing Dick's employee apparel...
Chicago Cubs "It Gets Better" Video
2011-06-20 20:16:00 As discussed here prior, the Chicago Cubs promptly and laudably heeded the call of an online petition, which saught their involvement in the "It Gets Better" campaign. This is the finished product: Be Good Friends, @koolking83 (P.S. As a Sox fan, I hope it doesn't "get better" for the Cubs the next three days-then again, it's kind of like Craig Krenzel and Jonathan Quinn throwing footballs through tires, someone has to win-but it doesn't mean much)...
Philosophical Changes Needed for Chicago Cubs to Succeed
2011-06-09 14:26:00 The future is not bright on the north side of Chicago.
Chicago Cubs Draft SS Javier Baez
2011-06-07 05:42:00 In the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft, the Chicago Cubs selected a high school shortstop. Yeah, I know... the best player on the current Chicago Cubs is a 21-year-old shortstop. But the Cubs took one anyway. And he's an intriguing kid....
The Chicago Cubs Join a Worthy Cause
2011-06-04 04:12:00 While the Cubs play on the field this season has given fans little to cheer about , the team has made an off the field move which is certainly worthy of our collective praise. It was announced Friday that the Cubs will be producing an "It Gets Better Video", which will speak out against anti-gay bullying and homophobia. The Cubs will become only the second professional sports team to do so-following the defending World Series Champion San Francisco Giants, whose video was released earlier this week. (see end of post)Laura Ricketts, the first openly gay owner in Major League Baseball, made this statement regarding the Cubs decision to join the campaign: "The Cubs applaud the Giants for their stand against anti-LGBT...
Chicago Cubs: Potential New Sponsorship Deal
2011-06-03 03:55:00 If you didn't see the Tribune's Paul Sullivan on Twitter earlier this week, he posted a picture of the new sign in front of the Cubs locker room at Wrigley Field. Here's the photo: I know. As if that franchise needed another epic failure. But could this become a marketing opportunity for the team? If the new owners are looking for creative ways to make money.......
Starlin Castro: The Chicago Cubs 21-Year-Old All-Star
2011-05-25 06:59:00 In Major League Baseball, every team has at least one representative at the All-Star Game. So even if a team stinks, and nobody on their roster is worthy of a nomination (like the Pittsburgh Pirates since Barry Bonds left), they still have at least one player at the mid-summer event. Despite that rule being in place, there's one player on the Chicago Cubs who is earning his trip to the All-Star Game. His name is Starlin Castro. ...
Chicago Cubs: How To Make A Great Soriano Trade
2011-05-21 04:47:00 If anyone on the planet is really, truly, passionately praying for the world to end soon, it's Jim Hendry. After all, he's the guy that is writing checks to Alfonso Soriano that total $18M for... wait for it... three more years after 2011 ends. The rapture might be the best hope for the Cubs to dump Soriano's salary on someone. But there might be a way the Cubs continue hanging a Soriano jersey in the locker room, but dump a headache....
VIDEO: Meet Your New Chicago Cubs PA Announcer: Andrew Belleson
2011-03-25 21:15:00 Today the Chicago Cubs announced that Arlington Heights native Andrew Belleson is the new Chicago Cubs PA announcer. Below is the press release from the organization and Belleson's youtube video audition for the position.Enjoy!MEDIA ADVISORY CHICAGO CUBS SELECT ANDREW BELLESON AS NEW WRIGLEY FIELD PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCERMEDIA AVAILABILITY WITH BELLESON TODAY AT 4 P.M.FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011 CHICAGO - The Chicago Cubs have selected Andrew Belleson as the new voice of Wrigley Field, culminating a three-week search that included 2,954 applications from 48 states and Canada submitted through CareerBuilder.com. Belleson arrived in Chicago today to finalize the deal and he will be available for on-camera interviews at Wrigley Field at 4 p.m. CDT (details below). "On behalf of the Chicago...
2011 Chicago Cubs TV and Radio Schedule
2011-03-05 16:02:00 Here is the complete 2011 TV and radio schedule for your Chicago Cubs! DateOpponentTime (CT)TVRadio March Friday, March 4@Kansas City2:05 PMMLB.com Saturday, March 5vs. San Diego2:05 PMWGN 720 Sunday, March 6vs. LA Dodgers2:05 PMWGNWGN 720 Monday, March 7vs. LA Angels2:05 PMMLB.com Tuesday, March 8@Colorado2:10 PMMLB.com Wednesday, March 9vs. Kansas City2:05 PMMLB.com Thursday, March 10vs. Cleveland2:05 PMMLB.com Friday, March 11@Chi White Sox2:05 PMMLBNMLB.com Saturday, March 12vs. Cincinnati2:05 PMWGN 720 Saturday, March 12vs. Cincinnati3:05 PMWGN Sunday, March 13vs. LA Dodgers3:05 PMWGN Sunday, March 13@Arizona3:10 PMMLB.com Monday, March 14@Seattle3:05 PMMLB.com Tuesday, March 15vs. Colorado3:05 PMMLB.com Thursday, March 17@Oakland3:05 PMMLB.com Friday, March 18vs. Cincinnati3:05 PMMLB.com Saturday, March 19@San Diego3:05 PMWGNWGN 720 Sunday, March 20vs. San Francisco3:05 PMCSNWGN 720 Monday, March 21@LA Angels3:05 PMMLBNMLB.com Tuesday,...
WATCH: Fans audition to be next Chicago Cubs PA announcer!
2011-03-01 01:00:00 The Chicago Cubs are looking for a new PA announcer.Like everybody else these days, they're turning it into a PR extravaganza. They launched a search through Career Builder, asking everyday Chicagoans to submit a video of them doing their best player introduction.They'll be accepting applicants through March 7th and picking a winner at the end of the month. You can download an application and read more details here.Today, I took to Wrigley Field to see if I could make the Cubs job a little simpler. I put a few people to the test. Would they be able to pronounce Jeff Samardzija? Find out above....
New Chicago Cubs License Plate Unveiled by Ernie Banks, Jesse White, Tom Ri
2011-01-26 23:11:00 Before the formal press conference was even held and the design unveiled, the demand for Cubs license plates crashed the state's system. 210 people had placed orders before the Chicago Cubs and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White had even unveiled the new Chicago Cubs permanent license plate. Money raised from the license plates will support public schools throughout the State of Illinois. Given the dire situation within our state's finances, a hot-selling item to infuse more public funding is quite welcome right now. Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts and Hall of Famer "Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks joined Secretary White for the unveiling. "For many years I played in the wonderful Chicago Cubs organization as a center fielder," White said....
Chicago Cubs Make Waiver Claim on Boston Red Sox Catcher
2011-01-10 21:32:00 Today the Chicago Cubs claimed catcher Max Ramirez off waivers from the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox claimed Ramirez from the Texas Rangers last Wednesday. He split the 2010 campaign between the Rangers and their Triple-A Oklahoma City affiliate. Ramirez played 56 games with Oklahoma City , batting .286 (54-for-189) with nine doubles, three home runs, 29 RBI and a .373 on-base percentage. In 28 games in the big leagues last year, Ramirez batted .217 (15-for-69) with three doubles, two home runs, eight RBI and a .341 on-base percentage....
Random Chicago Cubs Offseason Thoughts and Ramblings
2010-12-19 23:35:00 It is once again time for me to unleash my random, ridiculous and wry stream of consciousness on everyone as is it relates to the Chicago Cubs. As we plug along towards 2011, it is time to start dreaming of the small ball once again. Pitchers and catchers report in two months. Baseball season is not really that far away. So, let's not waste anymore time. • Welcome home, Kerry Wood. You are still a class act and always will be. • Whether is was giving the Cubs a sizeable hometown discount or attending Ronnie's funeral, Wood just knows how to comport himself. • Many people have made the following observation so I am not new to the party,...
The Chicago Cubs Should Trade Carlos Zambrano... And Might Be Able To!
2010-12-14 06:55:00 If you went to bed early on Monday night, you missed a number of pretty major pieces of sports news. The Baltimore Ravens blew a 21-point lead in Houston, but took an interception back for a touchdown to win in overtime. The Chicago Blackhawks lost one of the most ugly, pathetic all-around (lack of) efforts in recent memory in Denver. Derrick Rose has a sprained ankle and wrist, but the Bulls can't lose. And Cliff Lee reportedly turned down somewhere in the neighborhood of $50 million to go back to the Philadelphia Phillies. Yes, you read that correctly. A professional athlete turned down $50 million. But this might create the best opportunity for the Chicago Cubs in years to correct a...
Chicago Cubs Weekend Headlines: Wither Matt Garza News?
2010-12-11 18:14:00 Photo courtesy Chicago Tribune Cubs fans got a chance to say goodbye to Ron Santo yesterday, as everyone's favorite third baseman made one last trip to Wrigley Field. FAns could be seen running alongside the car as Ronnie drove through Wrigleyville, and the crowd at the corner of Clark & Addison broke into a rousing rendition of "Take Me Out To the Ball Game" as the car circled Wrigley. With that said,I've completely hit the wall when it comes to talking about Ronnie's passing and funeral. It's just too sad. But if you missed any part of the funeral or trip up to Wrigley, you can view a lot of is online here. ...
Chicago Cubs Legend Ron Santo Has Passed On
2010-12-03 19:03:00 In the middle of the night, Chicago Cubs legend Ron Santo passed away, at the age of 70 following a battle with bladder cancer. "My siblings and I first knew Ron Santo as fans, listening to him in the broadcast booth," said Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts . "We knew him for his passion, his loyalty, his great personal courage and his tremendous sense of humor. It was our great honor to get to know him personally in our first year as owners. For our two part 2008 exclusive with Santo go here and here...
Chicago Cubs Weekend Headlines: All Cracked Up
2010-11-13 17:47:00 Photo courtesy Chicago Tribune The Cubs continue with the unintentional metaphors for the 2010 season, having cracked the beloved Harry Caray statue in the prep for the Big Northwestern/Illiois game: First came the move of his statue, and now comes the news that the Cubs accidentally damaged it while making over the ballpark for the Nov. 20 Northwestern-Illinois football game. As Caray would say: "Boy, oh, boy." Less than three months after moving the Caray statue from the corner of Addison and Sheffield to outside the bleacher entrance at Sheffield and Waveland, the base was severely damaged, with a y-shaped crack that runs diagonally from the lower left corner to the upper right corner. The Liberty Bell-like crack goes...
Chicago Cubs: Just Announced Mike Quade is the New Manager for the Chicago
2010-10-19 18:36:00 Mike Quade.After going 24-13 for the Chicago Cubs following Lou Piniella's August 22 retirement Mike Quade, 53, became a hot favorite, especially with the players, for the Manager's post. Today, the Chicago Cubs made it official, announcing that they have reached an agreement with Mike Quade to manage the team. Quade arrived in Chicago yesterday to finalize the deal, signing a two-year contract with plus club option for the 2013 season. A press conference is scheduled today at 3p.m. at Wrigley Field.Quade, becomes the 51st manager in franchise history. The 2011 campaign marks Quade's ninth in the Cubs organization, as he served as Piniella's third base coach for nearly four seasons starting in 2007 and was the manager of the...
An Honest Assessment of the Chicago Cubs
2010-10-06 22:29:00 With the 2010 regular season now over it is time to turn our attention to 2011 and that means fixing all that is wrong with the Chicago Cubs as they ended the season in 5th place with a record of 75-87 and 16 games behind the division champion Cincinnati Reds. What Went RightThe signing of Marlon Byrd was a solid decision as he was excellent defensively, was well liked in the clubhouse, and contributed a solid season offensively. Ryan Dempster was solid winning 15 games and throwing over 200 innings as well as providing tremendous leadership in the clubhouse. Carlos Marmol was excellent all season long saving 38 games and dominating like no other reliever in the game. He does...
Chicago Cubs Game Thread: Post-Bomb, Day One
2010-09-22 01:16:00 I've got myu doubts about this one, kids. Then again, it's not like we have months in which to schedule a makeup game. As for the game, I have nothing to say, except let's try to not to get anyone killed. I'm looking at you, Wellington....
Chicago Cubs Saturday Headlines & Game Thread: Mets @ Cubs, 12:05 CDT
2010-09-04 14:18:00 The Quade express just keeps on rollin'. With a 7-6 victory over the Mets, Mike Quade is now 7-3 as manager of the Cubs. Each win pushes the Cubs away from a higher draft pick. Yesterday's win also put Julie one win away from having to send Chicago pizza to Metsgrrl. Maybe Tom Ricketts will pay the shipping? Have Mike Quade's magical powers infected the clubhouse, passing on great baseball skills to the entire team? Almost the entire team, anyway?Wells ended up with a no-decision, as his record remained 6-12 while his ERA rose to 4.56. It's quite a different season from his rookie year in 2009, when he was 12-10 with a 3.05 ERA. "That sophomore jinx or whatever...
Is Mike Quade the answer?- Chicago Cubs Baseball
2010-09-01 01:40:00 I hope Brenly is the next man burdened with the Cubs managing job, and I'd be quite happy with Girardi as well. While I wish Mike Quade nothing but success in the near and distant future, I will (hopefully) happily see him on his way at the end of this miserable and brutal season.
Chicago Cubs Tuesday Headlines: It Could've Been Worse
2010-08-10 11:52:00 Remember the ill-fated "It's a Way of Life" campaign the Cubs unveiled this year? Wherein the W in Way is the W flag? Smart bloggers managed to figure out that this year's version was much better suited with an L flag in place of the L in Life. But another slogan came to me this morning: It Could've Been Worse. And last night when Big Z made his triumphant return as a starter. It wasn't great, but it could've been worse.Zambrano was throwing more balls than strikes in the early going. He walked seven in his 5 innings, including 3 in the second. A pair of double plays helped Zambrano emerge unscathed as the Cubs grabbed a 2-0 lead in...
Chicago Cubs Wednesday Headlines: They Almost Didn't Lose
2010-08-04 13:31:00 Tribune Photo by Chris SwedaRah-rah Carl is still sleepy, so no pep talks from me this morning. The Cubs didn't win, but they only gave up four runs and Thomas Diamond didn't embarrass himself. That's really all we can ask for at this point, right?Diamond joined one exclusive club by recording 10 strikeouts in his 6 innings of work. He became the second Cub in 90 years to reach double digits in his major-league debut. The other was Mark Prior, on May 22, 2002. The not-so-exclusive club is that of Cubs pitchers who throw a quality start this year and don't have a win to show for it. Diamond gave up 7 hits and 3 runs, becoming the first Cubs...
Chicago Cubs Live Game Thread: 5 Reasons To Be Happy
2010-08-03 00:02:00 There's no denying that there's no joy in Cubville right now. For the first time in a long time, the Cubs were sellers at the trade deadline. Then they barely "sold" anybody. We're still stuck with a bunch of aging, contract-heavy, not-particularly-likeable veterans who have done little to lead this team anywhere except 10 games out of contention. We've got a lame-duck manager, an unruly "ace" fresh off anger management, and a front office who seems have been dragged into the 21st century kicking and screaming. We're facing several years of rebuilding. In short, it ain't fun to be a Cubs fan these days. But wait! Before you move into Pessimist Pub permanently and drink yourself under the table,...
Chicago Cubs Monday Headlines: Goodbye Denver
2010-08-02 12:05:00 The Cubs had a bit of a scare Sunday afternoon when Carlos Silva left the game after just one-third of an inning. The Cubs had more than a five-game losing streak to worry about Sunday during an 8-7 loss to the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.Their starting pitcher, Carlos Silva, went to the hospital after coming out of the game in the first inning with an abnormally high heart rate. The Cubs described the ailment as PSVT, or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, which has as it symptoms palpitations, or a rapid heartbeat. The 31-year-old right-hander retired the first batter he faced, but after he walked Jonathan Herrera, assistant trainer Ed Halbur paid a visit to the mound. After the next batter,...
Chicago Cubs Sunday Headlines & Game Thread: Cubs @ Rockies, 2:10 Centr
2010-08-01 13:09:00 The Cubs lost in spectacular fashion once again last night, by allowing a cycle-completing game-ending home run to Carlos Gonzalez. But there's much more interesting news than the result of last night's game. First, we'll highlight the return of Carlos Zambrano.The game marked the return of pitcher Carlos Zambrano from more than a month away for anger-management treatment. Zambrano worked two-thirds of an inning in the seventh, creating some trouble for himself but leaving the bases loaded. True to form, he said he could start again, and soon. "I'm ready," he said. "I'm ready to pitch Tuesday, Thursday, whenever they want me to pitch. I'm ready to go back in the starting rotation if they want me to go back...
Chicago Cubs Thursday Headlines: Lee Just Says No to Anaheim
2010-07-29 12:13:00 At this point, it doesn't matter if the Cubs win or lose. But we could've had something really exciting happen. Except it didn't.Rested by Lou Piniella alongside Alfonso Soriano and Marlon Byrd, Derrek Lee had no choice but to sit and think about the future throughout the long afternoon, which turned dreary after Randy Wells was lifted in the sixth inning. Afterward, Lee told reporters he discussed the possible trade with the Angels -- it would have brought prospects to the Cubs -- for about 24 hours before telling Hendry no thanks. He contacted friends who play for the Angels, he said, and had long talks with his family members. It was an "agonizing'' process, he said, but he is...
Chicago Cubs Monday Headlines: Let the Fire Sale Commence!
2010-07-26 09:58:00 Insert dirty caption hereTribune Photo by Scott StrazzanteI never want the Cubs to lose, but sometimes a loss can be a good thing in the long run. Had the Cubs won last night, they'd be 8 games out, dreaming of rejoining the playoff race. That kind of delusion can only lead to heartbreak and the same disappointing team next year. Even Ryan Dempster seems resigned to this fate. Bring on the fire sale!The Cubs have kept the faith, but even they're finding it hard to believe this team will stay together as is. "I love our team, and I love the guys in that locker room," said pitcher Ryan Dempster, who started Sunday and worked 7 innings. "I think we've...
Chicago Cubs Live Game Thread: S-W-E-E. . . .
2010-07-25 23:40:00 It's a big day here in Cubdom. First, everyone's favorite player with bionic knees, Andre Dawson, gets inducted into the Hall of Fame. Tonight, the Cubs have a shot at sweeping the first place Cards. Not only that, but we *might* get our first Miller/Morgan-free game tonight! Then again, with Cubs fans' luck, ESPN hired some supersonic jet to get Miller and Morgan back to Chicago in timne for the game. If you missed Andre's Hall-of-Fame speech, you can check out the post below, where I live-blogged the entire HOF ceremony. However, this was my favorite part: "From my heart, thank you Cubs fans. You are a true blessing in my life. I never knew what it felt like...
Chicago Cubs Sunday Headlines: Cubs Inciting Further Delusion
2010-07-25 12:14:00 Tribune Photo by Phil VelasquezThe Cubs won Saturday, but they may have lost their manager to heat stroke.Whatever the reason, Cubs manager Lou Piniella raised a few eyebrows after the game when he was asked what he would suggest to general manager Jim Hendry regarding the upcoming trade deadline and whether the Cubs should be buyers or sellers. "Look, that's going to be Jim's call," Piniella said. "My response would be: let's give this a longer period of time. "Nine games (out of first) is a lot, but it's not that much. You can't make it up obviously in a week or 10 days, but over a period of time picking up a game here a game there, you'd be...
Chicago Cubs Friday Headlines/ Game Thread: Here Come The Cards
2010-07-23 17:25:00 The name of the game is economy today, people. As I I need to economize my energy, because I don't have any. Therefore, we're having a joint headlines/game thread post. If you don't like it, you can go sit with the morans today. It's hard to get fired up about the prospect of sweeping a team to cut their lead to 8.0 games, but the Cubs should have thought of that before they decided to score 1 run the entire month of June. But hey, I come bearing good news this morning! Big Z had a Big Night in Iowa yesterday! He received a standing ovation from the 12,949 jammed into Principal Park as he pitched a scoreless seventh...
Chicago Cubs Thursday Headlines: Reversion to Mean Successful
2010-07-22 11:51:00 Tribune Photo by Phil VelasquezLet me know if this sounds familiar. The Cubs get a good starting pitching performance, leave a ton of men on base, and lose. I thought I'd heard that one before, too. Once again, Ted Lilly was the benefactor of an offense that forgets how to do much of anything except strike out when there are runners in scoring position.Such was the case again Wednesday, as the Cubs dropped a 4-3 decision to the Houston Astros in 12 innings. One day after scoring 14 runs, the Cubs left 16 on base including 10 over the last five inningsMight that have been the last time we'll have seen Ted in a Cubs uniform?As far as Lilly goes,...
Chicago Cubs Monday Headlines: Cubs Only 9.5 Back!!!!!!!!!
2010-07-19 11:55:00 Tribune Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzoLou Piniella shuffled the lineup on Sunday night against one of baseball's best starting pitchers. It worked.Rookies manned the Nos. 1 and 2 spots in the batting order, with right fielder Tyler Colvin moving up to the leadoff spot and Starlin Castro batting second. The moves had Piniella looking good and everybody smiling after the Cubs' 11-6 victory, giving them three of four in the series. Colvin was 3-for-5 with 2 runs scored, and Castro raised his batting average to .294 by going 3-for-4 with a run. Suffice it to say that the two kids gave the Cubs a spark for at least one night. "They really did," said Piniella, whose team is 42-51. "Both of...
Chicago Cubs Saturday Headlines & Game Thread: Phillies @ Cubs, 12:05 C
2010-07-17 12:03:00 Ted Lilly practices the cha cha for his Dancing with the Stars turn and gets an RBI in the processWatch out, NL Central, the Cubs are back! Now only 9 games under .500 and 9 games behind first place Cincinnati, the scorching Cubs have won two in a row against the mighty Phillies to return themselves to playoff contention. Ted Lilly drove in a run and pitched 7 good innings, and we're all ready for delusions of grandeur.An impending free agent, Lilly's name has been out there as possible trade bait for a contending team. Like the rest of the Cubs, Lilly hasn't given up on the Cubs being a contender despite a 41-50 record and an 81/2-game deficit in...
Chicago Cubs Thursday Headlines: Back to the Grind
2010-07-15 12:17:00 As we enter the second half of the season, many questions continue to surround this team. But the only important one is, when does the fire sale start? Or, will the Cubs show just enough life that we'll have to suffer through this same team through August and September, too? The players are all ready for the big turnaround, starting with Geovany Soto."We got all the guys," said catcher Geovany Soto, who has been on-base at a .407 clip this year but who inexplicably has found himself on the bench at various times. "We've got all the ingredients here. We've got a great lineup here. We got pitching. We've got bullpen. It's just a matter of putting it together. We...
Chicago Cubs Monday Headlines: Fans Rejoice for Three Day Reprieve
2010-07-12 11:15:00 If you didn't watch last night's game, the specifics aren't that interesting. Carlos Silva got ejected in the second for arguing a call at first base, the offense didn't score, etc. There was one thing, though...Rookie Andrew Cashner received high fives from everyone in the Cubs' dugout Sunday after a fastball "slipped" from his hand in the eighth inning and plunked the Dodgers' Blake DeWitt, prompting an umpire's warning to both teams.Marlon Byrd got hit in the seventh, and suspected it might have something to do with comments he made last year when Padilla got released by Texas. Byrd called Cashner a "great teammate" lauding his "pinpoint accuracy." Cashner said he was "a little excited coming into the game" and...
Chicago Cubs Sunday Headlines & Game Thread: Cubs @ Dodgers, 7:05 Cent
2010-07-11 11:43:00 The Dodgers scored two runs on another Keystone Cops play by the Cubs' defense on Saturday. Were that the only bit of the game you'd seen Saturday, you would've expected another 14-3 loss. Instead, that was the only costly blemish the Cubs made all day in a 7-2 victory.Tom Gorzelanny pitched 6 innings to run his record to 4-5, and the Cubs got home runs form Geovany Soto and Aramis Ramirez as they improved to 4-2 on the road trip with one more game to play before the all-star break. A little more of this over the first 21/2 months of the season and maybe the record wouldn't be 39-49. "That's the way you put it down on paper," said...
Chicago Cubs Monday Headlines: The Day After
2010-07-05 15:34:00 Tribune Photo by Jose OsorioWhat is there to say this morning? Precious little. The Reds beat Tyler Colvin yesterday, 14-3. Let's look at some not-so-fun facts from yesterday's game.When Corky Miller can find the jet stream and Drew Stubbs can single-handedly outhomer the entire Cubs team, something strange is happening. Yes, that Corky Miller, the one who has all of four home runs the last 10 years.(snip)So while Miller was putting the ball in the seats, all the non-Colvin Cubs were making only three outs caught by outfielders.(snip)On Friday the Cubs lost to the Reds by allowing nine runs on three hits in an ugly seventh inning. On Saturday they won despite leaving a nine-inning franchise-record 17 runners on base....
Chicago Cubs Saturday Headlines/Game Thread: Reds @ Cubs, 12:05 PM CT
2010-07-03 13:37:00 Tribune Photo by Phil VelasquezAfter such a horrible loss, I'd normally turn to Lou, who would have something funny to say. But even Lou has his limits, and it seems as though he's in a funk, just like the players. Instead, first we'll turn to Ryan Dempster:"Things can happen in a hurry, especially when you put guys on," Dempster said. "It's unfortunate. The game was closer than the score dictated. It turned what could have been a good game into a terrible one." Dempster's take on keeping things together: "Guys are working hard. Guys aren't showing up a half-hour before they have to be out there or not putting the work in. They continue to put the work in. Hopefully,...
How to Start Rebuilding the Chicago Cubs
2010-07-02 23:00:00 If the Cubs do not show signs of life heading into the all star break I fully believe that we will hear from Chairman Tom Ricketts on his and his family's thoughts about the team and their plans for cleaning up the mess. So with that in mind here is what I would advise them to do to prepare for a very tough meeting with the media and the July 31st trading deadline.1) Management must let the fan base know how frustrated they are with the on field performance and also let them know that it will not be tolerated and that change is coming to the Cubs in a big way.2) Identify those pieces that have trade value and...
Chicago Cubs Tuesday Headlines: Seattle Slays Sleepy Sluggers
2010-06-23 15:33:00 Hey Ryan, do you think giving up 2 runs in a complete game will get you a W? Don't hold your breath. (Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images / June 23, 2010)Ryan Dempster learned a familiar lesson in last night's 2-0 loss to the Seattle Mariners: one mistake is one too many."We wasted a good pitching performance on our side," manager Lou Piniella said. Dempster was on his game, but he was outpitched by Jason Vargas, who shut out the Cubs through seven innings. "He got ahead of everybody and kept the ball down, and I was the one who made the mistake. . . . [We've] got to keep plugging our way through it," Dempster said. "Tough times. Sometimes some of...
Chicago Cubs Father's Day Headlines and Game Thread: When Can We Expec
2010-06-20 16:17:00 Chicago Tribune Photo by Chris SwedaFirst up, I'd like to wish all those dads out there in LOHO land a happy Father's Day. Hopefully the Cubs won't ruin it. We've probably all wondered what depths this Cubs team can plumb. Yesterday, several LOHOers got to see first hand just what depths the Cubs can plumb. Yikes. Ted Lilly went from no-hit form to yes-hit form.Lilly didn't allow a hit to the White Sox last Sunday until the ninth inning on his 108th pitch, but the left-hander was battered by the Los Angeles Angels Saturday for 8 runs (6 earned) on 9 hits in 104 pitches. He didn't make it out of the sixth inning of a 12-0 loss in front...
Chicago Cubs Wednesday Headlines: Cubs New Anthem "Yakety Sax"
2010-06-16 15:20:00 Imagine I'm much more proficient at video manipulation and could put some of last night's game to music. Instead of a man, it would be the Cubs, instead of a dog it would be the ball, and instead of cows it would be the A's.The pitching wasn't horrible and the offense scored five runs, but the defense was lousy. Derrek Lee wants you to know it was his fault."Tonight is not a big-league game; we played like a Single-A team," said Lee, owning up. "I set the tone. If I make the plays, we get out of the inning, and it's a whole different ballgame. Tonight's on me. It's unacceptable."I have a feeling some of the Cubs' Single-A players might...
Chicago Cubs Baseball: Top 5 Reasons to Still Care
2010-06-16 06:48:00 Just because I am a Cub fan does not mean I inherently have to be stupid. After the Dodgers swept the Cubs in the playoffs to end the '08 season, I knew that we would be stuck with a roster that simply was going to get worse. Hence I am not surprised by the Cubs current 28-35 record (and loss #36 appears to be around the corner at the hands of the dreaded 32-33 Oakland A's). However, much like a deadly drug addict, I find myself unable to cut myself off and go cold turkey on Cub baseball. So- again, much like a hopeless user- I have found ways to rationalize it!
Chicago Cubs Sunday Headlines & Game Thread: Sox @ Cubs, 7:00 PM
2010-06-13 16:08:00 Tribune Photo by Phil VelasquezThe Cubs got another good start from Carlos Silva, but the offense didn't give him the run support to which he's become accustomed. And he was a bit grumpy after the game.Silva got help from neither his offense nor his defense. The Cubs were 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position, and they stranded 10 runners. "I don't know," Silva said. "You can ask that question to Rudy (hitting coach Jaramillo). He's the one working with them."Lou didn't sound much better:The Cubs are a season-worst eight games under .500 at 27-35. And it's getting late. "Let me tell you this: We're not going to quit," Piniella said. "That I can tell you. But you just can't continue...
Chicago Cubs Wednesday Headlines: Ugh
2010-06-09 15:20:00 Last night the Cubs got good pitching and just enough situational hitting. Unfortunately, the bottom of the ninth didn't go as planned.Marmol hit Weeks, and just when it looked like he'd get himself out of trouble, Marmol later gave up a game-winning 2-run single to former Cub Casey McGehee for a 3-2 Milwaukee victory Tuesday night. McGehee's ball wasn't hit hard, but it got past Marmol and skittered off the second-base bag, scoring Weeks and Prince Fielder.... |
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