Tag: Cubs

With minutes to spare, Hendry and Zambrano agree

The Cubs and Carlos Zambrano agreed to a one year contact for $12.4 million. Apparently, they reached agreement with literally minutes to spare. There were still some details to be ironed out by the 2:00pm deadline but arbiters gave them leeway. The figure was slightly higher than the $11.025 million that Zambrano was asking. Now … Continue reading “With minutes to spare, Hendry and Zambrano agree”

The Cubs and Carlos Zambrano agreed to a one year contact for $12.4 million.

Apparently, they reached agreement with literally minutes to spare. There were still some details to be ironed out by the 2:00pm deadline but arbiters gave them leeway.

The figure was slightly higher than the $11.025 million that Zambrano was asking. Now the big question is if the Cubs can lock up Zambrano in a multi-year contract.

Update: What I’ve heard is his contract has a few incentives. They are all awards-based (finishing in the top 5 in Cy-Young, getting on the All-Star team etc).

BCB’s Top 100 Cubs list reaches #1!

Everyone loves lists. And when it has to to do with baseball, it’s all the better. But when it involves the Cubs, well, that’s nirvana. That’s what Bleed Cubbie Blue has done. I’ve mentioned this list that Al from BCB has been doing all winter before. Since the end of the season last year, he’s … Continue reading “BCB’s Top 100 Cubs list reaches #1!”

Everyone loves lists. And when it has to to do with baseball, it’s all the better.

But when it involves the Cubs, well, that’s nirvana. That’s what Bleed Cubbie Blue has done. I’ve mentioned this list that Al from BCB has been doing all winter before. Since the end of the season last year, he’s been counting down the top 100 Cubs of all time.

banks

And today, he’s reached #1. Ernie Banks. No surprise there.

Ernie Banks is my first baseball memory. I must have been about 5. I was at Wrigley Field with the rest of my family. The only thing I can remember is that Ernie Banks hit a grand slam and my mom missed it because she went to the restroom. And the Cubs won. I remember that, too.

Ernie Banks was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977. I was there. That was my first visit to the Hall. I remember while waiting for the ceremonies to start, a Chicago Tribune reporter was looking for people who had traveled to Cooperstown just to see Banks inducted and I got his attention. I ended up being interviewed by him.

By the way, if you’re interested, Cap Anson was #2. Knowing Cap, he might feel a tad uncomfortable wedged in between Banks and Sosa. Chances are, he’d ask for a different seat.

Bleed Cubbie Blue’s Top 100 Cubs

Jacque is one of the team

Jacque Jones says he never wanted to be traded. I, for one, am happy to hear this kind of talk assuming that it is genuine and not the usual Cubs management spin. I was one of the first Cub fans to get on his bandwagon last season. If the rumors of him not wanting to … Continue reading “Jacque is one of the team”

Jacque Jones says he never wanted to be traded.

I, for one, am happy to hear this kind of talk assuming that it is genuine and not the usual Cubs management spin. I was one of the first Cub fans to get on his bandwagon last season.

If the rumors of him not wanting to be on the team were true, then the writing was on the wall. This kind of talk from Jones bodes well for Jones and the Cubs. If he can put last year behind him (the bad parts), we can expect some good things from him, in my opinion.

KWOOD, RIGHT ON SCHEDULE

Kerry Wood Whoever had February 12th in the “Kerry Wood Injury Pool” is the winner! Kerry Wood bruised his ribs when he fell out of his hot tub at his home on Monday night. You knew it was going to happen, but I don’t even think the most cursed filled Cub fan would’ve thought Kerry … Continue reading “KWOOD, RIGHT ON SCHEDULE”


Kerry Wood

Whoever had February 12th in the “Kerry Wood Injury Pool” is the winner! Kerry Wood bruised his ribs when he fell out of his hot tub at his home on Monday night. You knew it was going to happen, but I don’t even think the most cursed filled Cub fan would’ve thought Kerry would fall prey to an injury this quickly.

The quote from Wood is classic. “I’m just getting ready for Spring Training, feeling good,” Wood said. “I [got out of the tub] and landed on my stomach and my chest and didn’t feel too good. It’s that time of year for me.” What time of the year is Kerry referring to, the baseball season? He’s due to be out five days.

ALFONSO SORIANO: LOST IN THE IVY

Alfonso Soriano What are they thinking? Before last year Soriano was a poor fielding secondbaseman, then he was traded to DC, and shifted to leftfield. If you remember Alfonso balked at playing the outfield, even stating how he wouldn’t do it. As you know he did play leftfield, looked a little lost at times, but … Continue reading “ALFONSO SORIANO: LOST IN THE IVY”


Alfonso Soriano

What are they thinking? Before last year Soriano was a poor fielding secondbaseman, then he was traded to DC, and shifted to leftfield. If you remember Alfonso balked at playing the outfield, even stating how he wouldn’t do it. As you know he did play leftfield, looked a little lost at times, but had 22 assists (11 errors), probably because everybody ran on him, testing his arm. This guy had a .969 fielding percentage, roughly the same as his fielding percentage at 2B. Jacque Jones had an object thrown at him from the Bud Lite Bleachers while playing in the Friendly Confines, because of his inept fielding, he posted a .976 mark in RF (same as Sammy Sosa’s career RF fielding pct). Now for the folly, the Cubbies are talking about moving Soriano to CF, frankly they might be better off with John Foggerty out there. I’m sure Budweiser sales will go up as fans try to forget about Juan Pierre and his 2006 1.000 fielding percentage, but maybe perfect is overrated. And maybe the guy who wrote the book about how defense up the middle is important, didn’t know what he was talking about. This all came to mind when I looked at the picture of the front page of today’s Sun-Times Sports section. It’s a picture of Alfonso (who arrived five days early) fielding a flyball. Honestly it looked like the little kid in Little League, who you tried to hide in rightfield, and you hoped a ball wouldn’t be hit there.

CUBBIES: ANY BETTER?

The Chicago Tribune & GM Jim Hendry have thrown alot of money at the problem, but will that prove to be the answer? Last year’s ballclub was 66-96 under Dusty Baker. This year Lou Piniella (they’re not saying, LOU) was brought in to the tune of 10 million dollars! He’s got the task of lighting … Continue reading “CUBBIES: ANY BETTER?”

The Chicago Tribune & GM Jim Hendry have thrown alot of money at the problem, but will that prove to be the answer? Last year’s ballclub was 66-96 under Dusty Baker. This year Lou Piniella (they’re not saying, LOU) was brought in to the tune of 10 million dollars! He’s got the task of lighting a fire under a bunch of overpaid ballplayers.

What were some of the problems with last year’s Cubbies? Poor infield defense, no leftfielder, only one starting pitcher, an inconsistent closer, and injuries behind the plate & over at firstbase. So what did the Trib do to resolve these issues? They brought in Mark DeRosa, a rightfielder to play secondbase. They brought in Alfonso Soriano, a recently converted leftfielder to play centerfield. Centerfield was the only place a ball could be hit last year, where you knew it would be caught, but that was Juan Pierre, and that was last year. They brought in Ted Lilly, who is barely over .500 for his career, after having a career year, 15-13, last year. But Lilly will simply replace Greg Maddux in the rotation. They brought in Jason Marquis, who was left off the St. Louis Cardinals playoff roster on the way to a World Series. Marquis is a flyball pitcher on a team with the worst outfield defense in the game. They brought in Cesar Izturis, who was last healthy in 2004, to play SS. Speaking of health, there is no reason to believe that either Derrek Lee or Michael Barrett will be healthy in 2007. I saw where Kerry Wood might be the closer before year end. But you are completely delusional to think that Kerry Wood, Wade Miller, or Mark Prior will ever be healthy again.

That brings us to what went right in 2006? Two things that come to mind are Aramis Ramirez & Carlos Zambrano. But now that Ramirez has inked his big deal after playing out of his mind last year, and you saw how much he hustled, he can revert to the Aramis we all know and love. Now that brings us to the Big Z! There is already the talk about him getting what he deserves or he’ll walk. I’m not about to deny that Carlos Zambrano is a very good, young pitcher, but if I were him, I’d test the market to see what a good pitcher is worth. Which means this big horse will be one and done.

I know this kind of talk normally creep up on Cub fans like Fruit of the Loom undershorts, after they’ve won the April World Series. But even after throwing all this money at the problem, it’s still there, it’s called the Chicago Cubs!

Give Zambrano his due

Carlos Zambrano is talking in the third person. “Whatever happens, I don’t want to know about a contract during the season. I want to sign with the Cubs before the season starts. If they don’t sign me, sorry, but I must go. That’s what Carlos Zambrano thinks.” “Jim spent a lot of money. I hope … Continue reading “Give Zambrano his due”

zambrano

Carlos Zambrano is talking in the third person.

“Whatever happens, I don’t want to know about a contract during the season. I want to sign with the Cubs before the season starts. If they don’t sign me, sorry, but I must go. That’s what Carlos Zambrano thinks.”

“Jim spent a lot of money. I hope he has more for ‘Big Z.”‘

And I do too. There’s no doubt he’s worth it. In this year’s market, where Ted Lilly and Gil Meche are commanding the sums that they are, can the Cubs reach in their pocketbook one more time and give Z what he’s asking?

A Cub fan and I once drew up a list of “untouchables” on the Cubs roster last fall. I have to say that list was pretty small. But Carlos Zambrano was on that list. If they won’t look at it from a baseball point of view, perhaps a business one would convince them. Z has fan appeal. Anyone who saw the 3 block line waiting for his autograph would see that.

He’s banking on today’s “Zito” market and fact that the Cubs are spending money this off-season. I just hope they don’t start balking when it comes to their best pitcher and one of their best players.

 

Top 100 Cubs coming to a close at Bleed Cubbie Blue

I’ve been keeping an eye on Bleed Cubbie Blue lately. To keep away the winter blues, Al Yellon has been counting down the top 100 all-time Cubs during the off-season. Thursday was #18. Greg Maddux. It’s really worth a look with a great summary of his career plus three interesting pictures of him. The first … Continue reading “Top 100 Cubs coming to a close at Bleed Cubbie Blue”

I’ve been keeping an eye on Bleed Cubbie Blue lately. To keep away the winter blues, Al Yellon has been counting down the top 100 all-time Cubs during the off-season.

Thursday was #18. Greg Maddux. It’s really worth a look with a great summary of his career plus three interesting pictures of him. The first two are unique because they appeared back-to-back on his rookie card. While both showed him in action on the field, neither showed him pitching,

The other photo, well, you will have to see for yourself.

Today’s? #16 Mark Grace.

Off of the top of your head, can you think of fifteen better Cubs than Grace and Maddux? I’m sure I could if given the time. You’ll find the archive here (with a list to-date along the left side). By the way, Ed Reulbach was #17.

Thanks to Al for doing this. It’s been fun going back in Cubs history.

For those visiting HoHoKam this spring

I’m not going but I know a few who are. Carrie Muskat and her staff have put together a Cubs Spring Training Fan Guide. Very handy if you are lucky enough to go see the Cubs in Spring Training. Even how to make it easier to get autographs. A lot of fans camp at the … Continue reading “For those visiting HoHoKam this spring”

I’m not going but I know a few who are. Carrie Muskat and her staff have put together a Cubs Spring Training Fan Guide. Very handy if you are lucky enough to go see the Cubs in Spring Training.

Even how to make it easier to get autographs.

A lot of fans camp at the entrance to the Fitch Park facility and hope players will stop to sign from their cars. The players have a schedule during the workouts, so don’t be discouraged if they don’t sign during practice. Once the games begin at HoHoKam, the seats along the right-field line are best for the Cubs — that’s where their dugout is — and many fans wait by the players’ parking lot.

 

Of course, this is coming from someone who has a press pass. I think I’d rather hear it from the fan’s perspective.

Nevertheless, some good all-around info.

Muskat also submits a good Cubs 2007 preview including projected lineups, rotation and bullpen as well as write-ups on key players.

Dang, I refresh my browser over and over and Soriano still shows up in the leadoff spot.