Young Guns Show Early Signs of Strength

The Cubs have started Spring Training with a 2-0 record, notching wins against the LA Dodgers, 5-3 on Wednesday and the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-3 on Thursday.

Joey Gathright started the spring going 3-3 on Thursday, with an RBI and three singles. Micah Hoffpauir hit a go-ahead grand slam in Wednesday's contest, catapulting the Cubs to a win.

Both Gathright and Hoffpauir need to show coach Lou Pinella they can play consistent baseball to secure a spot on the 25 man roster. In past years, the Cubs have weltered, ever so quickly, in the playoffs. If the Cubs want consistent play in September and October, these young players must perform and fit into the mix, giving veteran players spot days off during the long 182 game season.

In other news, newly acquired Milton Bradley took himself out of Thursday's game because of tightness in his quad. This is not something Cubs fans want to see, but keep your heads up, it is the 2nd game of a 39-game spring.

Cheers to The Man

Happy 69th birthday to Cubs great Ron Santo.

Once again, Santo was shut out of Cooperstown in 2008. It is a shame, not only as a Cubs backer, but as a baseball fan. I have had the opportunity to meet Mr. Santo on a few occasions, and he is a stand-up man who deserves to be inducted as a baseball immortal.

I just hope that will come in 2010 and he is around to see that day.

World Baseball Classic or Spring Training

Since Bud Selig introduced the World Baseball Classic, there has been the daunting question: Do you go and support your home country, or do you stay at Spring Training and prepare for the upcoming season?

It is quite the conundrum. Especially for the managers of the prospective WBCer's: What do they do? Do they take a back seat and let their players compete in the WBC? Say no, take heat from the player, the media and members from the international team? What does the General Manager think?

Cubs relief pitcher Carlos Marmol, who is "competing" for the closer job this Spring, deliberated about playing for his home country, the Dominican Republic, and has since decided to stay in Spring Training and work with pitching coach Larry Rothschild.

Cubs coach Lou Pinella said he would stay out of the way of Marmol's decision and let him do what he felt was right. I don't think Pinella wanted his first-time closer candidate going to pitch in ten extra games and I am sure he will sleep better now that he knows Marmol will be gracing the Cubs with his presence this Spring.

I think it should be left up to the GM and Manager of the respective ball clubs. Why you ask? It is simply because these players are getting paid A LOT of Ching-Chang to play for their MLB teams. Although I think it is a great thing to represent your country, I do not think that the WBC has the right timing (right before the start of the season). By playing in the WBC, players risk injury and hurt their chances to compete into late September and October for the World Series.

Steve Rosenbloom of the Chicago Tribune seems to agree.

Chestnut Mountain

Well, I am proud (not really) to say that, after 22 years of presence on this Earth, that I have now skied. It was eventful...I ran into a fence, had a few too many drinks (the bartender over-served me naturally), and had a ass-load of laughs with my roommates Nate, Jake and Ben. I don't remember the last time I had that much fun doing something (I guess being at Wrigley in July can trump the whole skiing thing). There is nothing sweeter than hanging from that lift with three of your best buddies, with no worries in the world and only the wilderness below your feet.

I woke up this morning with a knot on my forehead and my knees look like I caught Bob Gibson in game seven of the World Series. However, all things considered, it was a great experience and I finally got the hang of it after about four hours of sitting on my ass in the snow.

Alf Exiled from Leadoff Spot?

Chicago Cubs left-fielder Alfonso Soriano may be moved down in the order, according to manager Lou Pinella. The once speedy lead off man has spent several years at the top of the order, but his injuries over the past two years have limited his base-stealing potential. Although the Cubs were 33 games above .500 with Soriano in the lead off spot, they may benefit from pushing him down in the order, paving way for Ryan Theriot or Aaron Miles to step into the role, creating more balance in terms of on-base-percentage, stolen bases and more patience at the top of the order.

Alf has said he is OK with the move, as long as he is in the lineup on a daily basis. I think Alf would benefit more in terms of power numbers in the sixth spot, behind the combination of Lee-Ramirez-Soto/Bradley. Keeping him down in the order could prevent him from landing on the Disabled List for the third consecutive summer.

Let's face it: Alf is not a patient hitter, he swings for the fences and not for average, and is not the prototypical lead off man. I think Pinella is making the right move here. Give him some AB's in the middle of the order during Spring Training and see how the lineup pans out.

Harry Caray Video

7th Inning Stretch

As a child, I loved nothing more than Harry Caray's rendition of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame." Simply put: It was the best part of the game for me. Caray was an icon in Chicago and his legacy is etched into Cub history with Sandberg, Santo, Williams and Banks.

For the past ten years, the Cubs organization has attempted (poorly, in my opinion) to continue this 7th inning tradition. If I hear the likes of Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, or some other nut job who doesn't have the slightest clue about baseball, and more importantly could not tell you the last time the Cubs won a WS, I may purge myself in front of Wrigley Field. Seriously, it is getting ridiculous.

In my opinion, it is all about the "bottom line." Having some random athlete (who isn't a Cubs fan) make an appearance at Wrigley and sing the stretch to promote their newest fashion label or perfume, is not right and Haray would be crushing his Budweiser against his head if he was still alive.

Here's an idea: How about an honoreree singer, such as Ron Santo? (Hell, I would even allow Vince Vaughn or Bill Murray).

Until then, my TV will be shut off between the top and bottom of the 7th inning.

Spring Training 2

Outfielders...

The 2009 Chicago Cubs will boast a slightly new look in the Wrigley Field grass this summer, with the addition of Milton Bradley, who GM Jim Hendry signed to a three-year, $30 million-dollar deal this off season. The Cubs, for many years, have sought after a left-handed hitting outfielder to break up the middle of the order and take pressure off of boppers Derrick Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Geovanny Soto and Alfonso Soriano. The past few signees by Hendry---Jeromy Burnitz, Cliff Floyd, Todd Hollandsworth and Jacque Jones---did not pan out for the North Siders and were about as reliable as impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Soriano will start in left-field, Bradley in right and Kusoke Fukodome will move to center.

In 2008, Reed Johnson became a regular off-the-bench player for the NL Central champs, and he will be rewarded for it by coach Lou Pinella in 2009. He hits for average, can steal bases and plays all outfield positions. Switch-hitter Aaron Miles will also give regulars a day off every week or so.

For the Cubs to be competitive in the regular season and deep into the playoffs, the outfielders need to play consistent baseball and concentrate on the fundamentals (hitting cutoffs, keeping the ball in front of them and improving on their fielding percentage). Also, Kusoke Fukodome needs to play better, plain-and-simple. In 08' he looked like a screw going into the ground on every swing and he lost confidence as September and October inched closer. If he doesn't perform, do not expect Lou Pinella to give him as many chances as he did throughout the 08' campaign.

Spring Training

On Friday, pitchers and catchers will report to Spring Training camps across the league. You know it is bad when I opt to write about ST against the All-Cover-Story, a.k.a STE-ROD. I just can't subdue myself (or you, because I'm sure you all have read 1,000,000 other related articles on the subject) to writing about that junk, it is almost as important to me as a new Bravo! marathon of Real Housewives of Orange County.

The Cubs will report to Mesa, Ariz., for workouts on Feb. 17. Over the next few weeks, I will analyze specific areas of the Cubs 2009 squad.

Today: Pitchers.

Health. For the Chicago Cubs, their success goes as far as healthy arms take them. Cubs fans know the misery of mid-season injuries (see: Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, Prior again....Wood, etc...) and the effect it has on making a push for the pennant race. In 09', all eyes will watch as Rick Harden takes the mound as a full-time Chicago Cub. Can he stay off of the infamous DL and give the North Siders 200+ innings? Head coach Lou Pinella has said he will give Harden a day off in between certain starts, opting to rest his arm for the late season playoff run.

If Harden stays healthy, Zambrano doesn't kill an opponent, umpire or teammate, Dempster follows up his 08' regular season performance and (please, Ryan, pretty please) doesn't forget how to throw within 15-feet of the plate in the postseason, Ted Lilly continues to find a way to win (and doesn't smile one time during his outings), the Cubs will be in contention for a third consecutive NL Central Title. The fifth starter, whomever it may be, will need to perform at a high level, and show some consitency to shore up the back-end of the rotation. Many believe that this spot is between Notre Dame grad, Jeff Samardzija, and lefty Sean Marshall. In the end, I think Marshall will get the nod as the numero cinco because he gives the rotation another lefty, and ultimately Samardzija is still learning the ropes of pitching in the big leagues.

The big debate this Spring will be: Who is going to be the closer for the Cubs? This offseason, the Cubs landed Kevin Gregg, a closer who had 29 saves for the Florida Marlins in 2008 and 61 over the past two seasons. Most Cub followers believe the spot will be turned over from Kerry Wood to Carlos Marmol, the young right-handed hurler who had a stellar 08' campaign from the back-end of the relief staff. But according to Lou Pinella--- not so fast! He wants the boys to compete during the Spring and show him who is better for the spot. In my opinion, I believe Marmol has the better stuff for the pressure-soaked 9th inning. However, I also wouldn't mind seeing Gregg get the spot, because that allows pitching coach Larry Rothschild to use Marmol in a variety of flexible late-inning roles. We will see who comes out as the next Cubs closer, and cross your fingers he didn't go to LaTroy Hawkins' Off-Season-Pitching-Camp!

The Cubs relief staff will look somewhat different in 09'. Kerry Wood is hurlin' in Cleveland, Michael Wurtz is soakin' up rays in Oakland and Bob Howry is, well, being Bob Howry somewhere on this planet. New pitchers added this off-season: Kevin Gregg, Aaron Heilman and Luis Vizcaino. Now, all Cubs fans can do is sit back, grab your Old Styles and peanuts, and see what these boys have left in their arms and if Wrigley Field will turn out to be the Friendly Confines in 2009.

The Cubs All-Time Fan Favorites

Throughout the Cubs long history, there have been many players that have come and gone. Some have worn a Cubs jersey for decades, some just for the blink of an eye. Regardless, win or lose, Cubs fans will always fill the seats at The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field; the Bleacher Bums will have Old Style in hand, waving it almost artistically during the 7th inning stretch; both young and old will chant "Go Cubs Go" at the end of a Cubs win and many will arrive hours before the game, fighting like Muhammed Ali in the 10th round against Sonny Liston, to get their favorite players autograph. Here is a short list of Cubs All-Time Fan Favorites:

-Fred McGriff, 1B: Come on, who doesn't love a player nicknamed, "The Crime Dog"?!

-Michael Barrett, C: Not a personal fan, but he punched A.J. Pierzynski in the face, so he is alright in my book.

-Henry Rodriguez, LF: Let's be real here, we used to throw "Oh Henry" candy bars at him when he did something good!

Sammy Sosa, RF: Remember the good ol' days? The sprint to right, with his hands raised high in the air, and fans worshiping him like he was the Second Coming. Then Steroids happened.

Mark Grace, 1B: He used to smoke cigs in the clubhouse between innings. And still go 4-5 with 3 doubles.

Rod Beck, P: The late-great "Shooter". Who could forget that arm flailing in the air? And that miraculous 98' season where he converted 51/58 saves.

Ernie Banks, SS: "Mr. Cub", "Let's Play Two". Nough' said.

Harry Caray, Announcer: The 7th-inning stretch just wouldn't have been the same without Harry slurring his words and belting at the top of his lungs.

Turk Wendell, P: Dude, come on, this man used to insist the umpire roll the ball to the mound instead of throwing it to him, he wore #99 in honor of "Rick The Wild Thing Vaughn" (Charlie Sheen), signed a contract in 2000 worth $9,999,999 and who could forget the necklace he wore made from various claws and teeth from animals he had hunted?

This is my list. I know you have some additions, so send em' my way!

My All-Cub Lineup

Here is my starting lineup for the all-time great Chicago Cubs:

C: Gabby Hartnett (20 seasons, 1,912 hits, 236 HR, 1,179 HR, .984 FLD%)
P: Greg Maddux (22 seasons, 355 total wins, 3.16 ERA, 5,008 IP, 3,371 SO)
3B: Ron Santo (14 seasons, 9-time all-star selection, 5-time gold-glove winner, 342 HR, 1,331 RBI)
SS: Ernie Banks (18 seaons, 11-time all-star selection, 2-time NL MVP, 512 HR, 1,636 RBI)
2B: Ryne Sandberg (16 seasons, 2,386 hits, 282 HR, 1,061 RBI, .285 BA, 344 SB)
1B: Mark Grace (15 seasons, 2,445 hits, .303 BA, 173 HR, 1,146 RBI)
LF: Billy Williams (17 seasons, 2,711 hits, 426 HR, 1,475 RBI, .290 BA)
CF: Hack Wilson (11 seasons, most RBI's in single season{191}, 244 HR, 1,063 RBI, .545 SLG%)
RF: Sammy Sosa (18 seasons, 60 HR in 3 different seasons, 609 total HR, 1,667 RBI)
Utility: Shawon Dunston (18 seasons, 1,597 hits, 150 HR, 668 RBI, 203 SB)
Manager: Lou Pinella (3-time Manager of the Year, one World Series title, 1,701-1,561)

This is a personal compilation after doing some research on past and current Chicago Cubs. I took into account (for most players), the amount of time they spent in Chicago as well. I understand that Sammy Say-It-Ain't-SOOOOSA is accussed of steroid use, but his numbers are unmatched in Chicago.

Tomorrow I will post another All-Time great list titled, "The Cubs All-Time Fan Favorites".

Please leave any suggestions or comments about additions or disagreements with this list!

Cheers

Rich Hill to Orioles?

The Baltimore Sun has reported that the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles are close to a deal that would send Rich Hill to the East coast. The move, which has yet to be finalized, would send Hill, 28, to Baltimore for a player to be named.

If you would have asked any Cubs fan in 2007 if they would trade the left-handed prospect to a team for a "player-to-be-named", they would have given you a Bobby Knight-esque reaming. in 07', Hill was filling the missing piece to the starting lineup and was beginning to shore up the Cubs rotation. That season, Hill went 11-8 with a 3.92 ERA in 32 starts in his first full year of action.

But now, Hill seems to be out of options in the Major Leagues, after a Rick-Ankiel-Forgot-How-To-Find-The-Plate 2008 season (he walked 18 batters in 19 2/3 innings for the Cubs and 44 walks in 47 2/3 innings for the Cubs rookie league).

The Orioles President of Baseball Operations, Andy McPhail (who previously worked with The Chicago Cubs in the late 1990's and early 2000's) and Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry have completed three different trades in the past four seasons that have sent highly-towted prospects to play at Oriole Park at Camden Yards (Corey Patterson, Felix Pie and now Rich Hill).

I guess Andy McPhail can't get enough of the Cubs' once-upon-a-time prospects, and to Cubs fans, this may be a blessing in disguise.