Holy Cow Baseball Blog

Cubbiepalooza!

2005-04-02T19:18:00.000-06:00

This will probably be my last post at Holy Cow. I have decided to move my blog to Typepad, and I now have my own site at Cubbiepalooza.com. My new blog is named Cubbiepalooza, and all of my new writing will be posted there. I will leave Holy Cow up for the archives. I've had a great time blogging at Holy Cow, but I've moved on to bigger and better things. Like a decent blog title. What was I thinking with "Holy Cow Baseball Blog". Oh well, it's all in the past now. Now it's time for Cubbiepalooza!

Padres 9, Cubs 5

2005-03-28T14:17:00.000-06:00

Ryan Dempster continued his spring struggles, allowing 5 runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings, as the Cubs fell to the Padres on Sunday. Dempster, who is slated to start the Cubs' third regular season game April 6 vs. Arizona, has a spring ERA of 11.19. Not exactly what I'd like to see from my third starter. But manager Dusty Baker seems to have other ideas.

"He threw the ball pretty good," Baker said of Dempster. "It seems like he might be the kind of guy who, if he gets out of the first or second inning, he gets his rhythm going. We're still learning about him."

Hmm...

Here's what Dempster had to say.

"I feel like I've been here forever," he said of spring camp. "We're definitely ready for the season to start and having these games mean something and start playing some games for real."

"[Spring games] matter, but they don't matter," he said. "I want to get ready for the season."

However, I'd rather see Ryan work out his problems as a starter during spring training. With only 6 spring games left and Dempster's ERA over 11, I'm not quite as excited about the season as Ryan. If he's ready to go with an ERA like that, something's got to be wrong with his head.

With Dempster in the rotation and Joe Borowski injured, LaTroy Hawkins will start the season as the closer. Hawkins enjoyed moderate success last season as a closer, saving 25 games. I have no idea about what to expect from him this year, and I'm going to simply hope for the best. I'd like to see a healthy Borowski take over as closer once he returns from injury, and even if LaTroy is successful, he is much more valuable to the team as a dominant setup man.

David Kelton continues to challenge Jason Dubois for the role of 4th outfielder. Knowing Dusty, it is unlikely a rookie will be starting, so I expect Todd Hollandsworth to get the bulk of the playing time in LF. Kelton's pinch-hit two-run homer yesterday seemed to impress Baker.

"He's looking pretty good," Baker said. "He plays well, runs well, throws well. He's playing like he wants a spot. That's what you want to see."

Here's a comparison of Kelton and Dubois this spring (22 games each).

Dubois: 42 AB/8 R/13 H/0 2B/1 3B/4 HR/8 RBI/.310 AVG/.643 SLG
Kelton: 40 AB/7 R/14 H/5 2B/0 3B/1 HR/6 RBI/.350 AVG/.550 SLG

Dubois has superior minor league stats overall and has shown a lot more pop than Kelton, both this spring and in the minors. With 5 doubles, Kelton seems to be more of a gap hitter than a reliable power source in the outfield, which we need so badly. Dubois is my pick and, unless he completely flops or gets injured during the remaining 6 spring games, will be Dusty's and Hendry's pick as well.

Angels 6, Cubs 4

2005-03-25T18:35:00.000-06:00

Carlos Zambrano finally gave up a run this spring during today's loss, after 15 scoreless innings over 4 starts. Zambrano and Derrek Lee both homered, accounting for 3 of the 4 Cub runs. Zambrano hit a solo shot in the third, and Lee hit a two-run homer following a Jeromy Burnitz double in the fourth. Henry Blanco drove in the 4th run in the 9th inning. Zambrano gave up 3 runs, 9 hits and a walk over 5+ innings, and struck out 3.

With each start, Zambrano solidifies his position as the Cubs' best starter. Not only is his stuff just as good (or better) than Prior's or Wood's, but he's a workhorse with no history of injury problems. Prior may be the "Franchise", but Carlos is simply "#1". When Dusty gave Z the opening day assignment, he finally used his head and realized that Z is the best we've got.

In case you didn't know, Matt Clement was my favorite Cub. I was devastated when the Cubs let him walk. Take away the record (9-13, due to poor run support), and you've got a solid pitcher easily capable of 15+ wins. After looking over his game logs from last year, it is clear that he got cheated out of quite a few wins, and got stuck with quite a few losses. I counted 6 games in which he pitched 6 or more innings, allowed 3 or fewer runs, and did not get a win. It really is a shame. Now, with Prior and Wood battling injuries and the 5th rotation spot still unclaimed, the Cubs could sure use a guy like Clement in the rotation; someone who eats innings and throws a lot of quality starts. Despite his unfortunate departure, I will keep on wearing my Clement jersey with pride.

If you haven't seen the trailers for Star Wars: Episode III, check them out now. You will be blown away! I am counting down the days until the film is released (May 19: 55 days left!)

I Think I'm in Love

2005-03-20T00:13:00.000-06:00

I recently purchased MVP Baseball 2005, and yes, I will admit it; I'm hooked.

This is one of the finest baseball games I can ever recall playing , and I remember back to "Bases Loaded" for the original Nintendo. I've been playing a lot, which has resulted in very few posts the last few weeks. And with the Cubs--excluding Z, Dubois and a few others--playing like a bunch of Little Leaguers this spring (see yesterday's 11-4 loss against the A's), I haven't felt very compelled to write. However, once April hits, you can expect more regular posting. Now back to MVP.

I won't give an indepth review, but if you want one, check out Goodbye 1908, Hello 2005. I love the game, and have been playing a lot. Owner mode is fascinating, giving the gamer complete control over finances, management, stadium and everything else imaginable. The best part of the game has to be owner mode, and it can be quite a challenge to put a winning team on the field, keep the fans and players happy, and still make a profit. And as in reality, the players are always demanding more money. The mini-games, batting and pitching, are challenging and have resulted in countless hours of enjoyment (plus, I've actually learned how to go with the pitch while batting, instead of trying to pull everything for a homer). I love the retro jerseys, too. There's nothing quite like a 1970's Cubs uniform. Overall, I love the game (in case you haven't figured that out by now) and would recommend it to anyone who loves baseball and videogames.

Cubs play the Padres today at 2:05 CT. Listen on WGN Radio.

Angels 3, Cubs 2

2005-03-13T17:41:00.000-06:00

The Chicago Cubs fell to the LA Angels today, wasting 4 scoreless innings by starter Carlos Zambrano. Zambrano gave up 4 hits while walking 2, and has 9 scoreless innings to his credit this spring.

Clearly, no matter what Dusty Baker says, Carlos is the ace of the staff. Kerry Wood, the projected opening day starter, has never won more than 14 games and has been plagued by injuries in his career, most recently this spring's shoulder trouble. Greg Maddux is nearly 39 years old and his numbers have been in a progressive decline during the last few years. Mark Prior was limited to 118 innings last year and is no sure bet to return to his 18-6, 2.43 ERA 2003 season. Without a doubt, Carlos Zambrano is the most dependable and productive pitcher on the Cubs' staff. If Kerry is injured and unable to start Opening Day, I would love to see Dusty start Zambrano.

On another note (Rant --> On), I would love to see Kerry Wood traded. If only he didn't have that blasted no-trade clause! Wood is entering his 8th season in the majors, and has had a very dissappointing career. Every year, he underachieves; whether due to injury or not is irrevalent. I'm just so tired of hearing people, especially those in the Cubs organization, say that Wood is still developing and is on the verge of a breakout, 20-win season. Wood is 28 years old! He's in the prime of his career. Who cares if he has all the potential in the world? By no means does talent translate into success, in anything. Someday, people are only going to remember Kerry Wood as an immensely talented guy who never realized his potential. Personally, I don't want to see Wood spend any more time in Chicago, simply taking up roster space while making $8 million a year. If he didn't have a no-trade clause, the Cubs could trade him now and probably get a pretty good player(s) in return. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to put up with mediocrity from Wood (Rant --> Off).

Sorry Kerry, you had your chances; Zambrano's #1 now.

Cubs 9, Rangers 4

2005-03-07T18:37:00.000-06:00

The Cubs rebounded from yesterday's 10-1 beating quite nicely. Maddux made his first start of the spring and Joe Borowski made his first appearance. Jason Dubois, Jerry Hairston and Angel Echevarria each hit homers for the Cubs, the first of the spring for all three. For more game details, check out TrueBlue, where Gavin liveblogged the game.
Note: Corey Patterson was hit on the knee by a pitch in the second inning, and was taken out of the game. Diagnosis--Contusion of the right knee. Whether this is a good or bad thing, is for you to decide.

Next Up
Split-squad games. Carlos Zambrano faces Joe Blanton and the A's at 2:05 pm at HoHoKam Park, and Glendon Rusch squares off against Runelvys Hernandez and the Royals in Surprise, Arizona.

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NL Central Preview: Cincinnati Reds

2005-03-06T16:52:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the long delay. Here's the Reds portion of my NL Central preview.

Cincinnati Reds
2004 Record: 76-84, 4th place

The Reds are quickly gaining recognition as a good team. With seasoned veterans mixed in among a solid young nucleus, this is a team on the rise. Cincinnati executives spent most of the offseason working to improve the team's pitching, which started strong last year but imploded before midseason.
New in '05: LHP Eric Milton (Phillies), RHP Ramon Ortiz (Angels), RHP David Weathers (Marlins), RHP Ben Weber (Angels), LHP Kent Mercker (Cubs), 3B Joe Randa (Royals), and RHP Ricky Stone (Padres)
See Ya: SS Barry Larkin (retired), IF Juan Castro (Twins), RHP John Reidling (Marlins), LHP Phil Norton (Astros), LHP Gabe White (Braves), 1B/OF John Vander Wal (unsigned), RHP Todd Van Poppel (Mets), and OF Darren Bragg (Indians)

The Outfield: The Reds have four candidates to fill the three outfield spots. Adam Dunn is a lock in LF after having a break-out 2004 in which he finished 3rd in the league in HR (46), 10th in slugging % (.569), and 6th in walks (108). Despite his major league record 195 strikeouts, Dunn had an OBP of .388 and set a career-high in batting average with .266 last year. He is one of the top young players in the game, and if he can strikeout less and continue to post triple-digit BB totals, then the sky is the limit. CF Ken Griffey, Jr. will once again (I've lost count of the seasons) try to make a comeback after suffering a season-ending injury in 2004. As everyone knows, if healthy, he is a Hall of Fame caliber outfielder. Austin Kearns and Wily Mo Pena will be left to fight for the right field spot. There has been talk of shifting Griffey to right to lessen the chance of injury, but regardless, the Reds have 4 qualified outfielders and only 3 spots. Wily Mo Pena (gotta love the name) hit 26 HR and drove in 66 runs last year in only 366 AB. Kearns has been excellent, when healthy, and is a great right-handed batter who can hit for average and power. Someone will be squeezed out, or a plattoon system will have to be implemented. Of course, an injury (Griffey? again) could open up a spot.

The Infield: Sean Casey is the heart and soul of this infield, and he is among the best first-baseman around. The Cub Killer hit .324, smacked 24 HR, and drove in 99 runs last year. Newly acquired third-baseman Joe Randa takes over at the hot corner. Randa is a solid competitor, but nothing spectacular. Expect 15 HR, 70 RBI, and about a .285 average from him. The middle infield is without Barry Larkin for the first time in almost two decades, and Felipe Lopez will be his successor. At 24, Lopez should be mature enough to provide solid production and defense from shortstop. To fill the second base hole, the Reds signed D'Angelo Jimenez, a speedy guy with decent pop in his bat. While this infield is nothing spectacular, offensively or defensively, it should be good enough to keep the Reds competitive.

Rotation: This offseason, Reds GM Dan O'Brien knew his top priority was pitching. Rather than fill out the rotation with youngsters and hope for the best, O'Brien signed lefty Eric Milton and traded for veteran right-hander Ramon Ortiz to complement staff ace Paul Wilson.
Wilson was solid for the Reds and finished 11-6, but his record could have been even better had the bullpen not blown 6 saves in his starts. Milton and Ortiz are both still in the prime of their careers and hope to help turn Cincinnati around. Ortiz averaged 15 wins from 2001-2003, but spent last year bouncing between the rotation and bullpen. With the Reds, Ortiz will be given stability and could easily return to his 2001-2003 success, despite last year's woes. Milton, a free agent from the Phillies, went 14-6 last year. His 4.75 ERA is a little troubling, but he still had success despite the high ERA. If he wants to make himself even better, he needs to cut down on home runs allowed (43 last year). Aaron Harang should be the fourth starter, and will look to build on last year, during which he led the team in strikeouts. The fifth spot is a toss-up between Luke Hudson, Brandon Claussen and Josh Hancock, and no one seems to have an edge over another. This rotation will be improved greatly from 2004, but don't expect a Cy Young from any one.

Bullpen: There is simply no denying it; the 2004 bullpen was awful. The only bullpen worse than the Reds' was the Rockies' pen, and we all know where the Rockies play. The pen progressively got worse as the season went on. To help rebuild the bullpen, the Reds signed free agents Kent Mercker, David Weathers and Ben Weber. Mercker is coming off a solid season with the Cubs, while Weathers and Weber are hoping to improve. Closer Danny Graves saved 41 games last year, but also blew 9. If the Reds can get the ball to Graves with a lead, it is very likely a win will result. While this pen will be improved, it will still give up a lot of runs and cost the Reds quite a few games.

Outlook: The Reds will have a record high payroll this season of over $63 million, but money does not always translate into wins. The key to success for Cincinnati is simply health. A healthy lineup and staff will allow the Reds to compete, rather than scramble to fill holes created by injuries. The Reds were in the NL Central race for over two months last year, but poor pitching and injuries cost them a shot at a winning record. While the 2005 team will be better, don't expect a playoff berth. A .500 record will be an accomplishment for this team. If all goes well, expect an 81-81 record from the 2005 Cincinnati Reds.

Cubs 8, Giants 2

2005-03-05T20:53:00.000-06:00

The Cubs won their 3rd straight Cactus League game against the Giants today. Neifi Perez led the Cubs with two RBIs. Cubs starter John Koronka held the Giants to 1 run on two hits in his two innings of work, and helped himself out with an RBI single in the 5-run first inning. The left-hander, who went 12-9 at AAA Iowa last season, is trying to make a name for himself in his first major-league training camp and make the most of his time in camp. "It's a good experience to be around guys like Wood and Prior and Maddux," Koronka said. "You have to be quiet, shut your mouth and listen." While Koronka is a long shot to make the big-league club this year, he will vie a rotation spot in years to come, along with many of the Cubs' other great young hurlers.

Ryan Dempster, a candidate for the closer job, pitched two brilliant innings, striking out 3 while yielding no walks or hits. Even though this was not a closing situation, Dempster showed his overwhelming stuff and capability. If he continues pitching like he did today, he should be an excellent choice to close.

On a more troubling note, the Cubs committed 4 errors today. However, all of the box scores I have seen do not list the players who committed the errors.

Former Cub Moises Alou didn't do much of anything for the Giants, finishing going hitless in two at-bats. In the first inning, Alou came to bat with the bases loaded and promptly lined into a double play. For some odd reason, fans at HoHoKam Park gave Alou quite an ovation when he came to bat. Personally, I'm glad he's gone. A clubhouse distraction with zero baserunning skills is not someone I would want on my team, and he's only going to get worse as he ages. Good riddance.

Next Up: Sunday, March 6 vs. Giants at Scottsdale, 2:05 pm CT, WGN Radio

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Cubs 2, Athletics 1

2005-03-03T18:20:00.000-06:00

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The Cubs won their spring-training opener today against the Oakland A's. A great performance by the Cubs, highlighted by an Aramis Ramirez two-run homer and two sharp innings by starter Carlos Zambrano. Ramirez hit a towering blast over the left-field wall in the 4th inning, after A's pitcher Joe Blanton hit SS Nomar Garciaparra on the hand. Ramirez is feeling good about 2005, and has confidence in the lineup. "We have a good hitting team," Ramirez said. "With all the hitters we have, I feel as if I don't have to carry the team." Zambrano pitched two scoreless innings, yielding 1 walk while striking out 1.

For the A's, starter Dan Haren pitched two shutout innings in his A's debut. Catcher Jason Kendal, acquired from the Pirates this offseason, knocked in the Athletics' only run in the 3rd inning on an RBI double, plating rookie Nick Swisher.

Overall, a good performance by both teams. Hopefully, as the spring progresses, the Cubs' bats will awaken and provide a bit more run support for the pitchers. Pitching for both teams was excellent, and 5 Cub pitchers held the A's to 4 hits, while the Cubs were held to 5 hits. No errors today, and this was a great spring opener. I hope this is a prelude to good things in the regular season.

Ahh...Baseball

2005-03-03T13:24:00.000-06:00

The Cubs play their first game of spring training today against the A's. Zambrano gets the start. "I'm always excited for the games to start," said Zambrano. After winning 16 games last year and finishing 5th in the NL Cy Young voting, Carlos is looking to establish himself as one of the top pitchers in the game. With his electric personality and talent, Zambrano will look to start off the season right this afternoon.Baseball is back. :)

Z's ready to go...are you?

Santo Left Out...Again

2005-03-02T15:27:00.001-06:00

For the second consecutive time, the Veterans Committe has not elected anyone to the Hall of Fame. The lovable former Cub Ron Santo, along with Gil Hodges, received 52 votes--8 votes short of the necessary 60 votes, or 75%, for induction. With 65%, Santo and Hodges were the closest to achieving Hall of Fame immortality of the 25 candidates. Some other players of note left out of the Hall include Tony Oliva (45 votes), Jim Kaat (43), Joe Torre (36), Maury Wills (26), Vada Pinson (23), Luis Tiant (20) and Roger Maris (19).

The Veterans Committee votes every two years, so Santo will once again begin his seemingly endless campaigning for the 2007 vote. After missing induction in 2003 by 12 votes, Santo added 4 votes to his cause this year. Santo had another chance for Hall of Fame enshrinement through the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcasting, but that award went to Jerry Coleman. It would have been nice to see Ryne Sandberg and Santo elected into the Hall together; two of the most popular Cubs players ever, enshrined side-by-side. But Santo will just have to keep on waiting until his time comes.

Ron Santo: Still waiting...

This One's For You, Ron

2005-03-01T21:12:00.000-06:00

As Cub fans around the world anxiously await the announcement of the Veterans Committee's Hall of Fame selections, I will say, on the eve of this hallowed event, here's to you Ron Santo. I won't rant and rave about stats and why Santo deserves to be in the Hall. Every Cub fan knows the facts and could easily spend hours trying to convince others that Santo belongs. Cub nation knows Santo belongs; now it's time to see if the rest of the baseball world will finally be able to recognize Santo as a true baseball legend, a Hall of Famer. Ron, my heart goes out to you; best of luck from PB4Baseball.

Cubs Tickets

2005-02-26T12:31:00.000-06:00

Like every other Cubs fan around, I spent all of Friday attempting to purchase tickets. I was very pleased with the outcome, as I got tickets for August 13 vs.Cardinals, August 26 vs.Marlins, July 25 vs. Giants and August 22 vs. Braves. However, I would have been much more happy had I not been stuck in the "virtual waiting room" for over 7 hours before I got my chance to buy tickets. After I got through the first time, sometime after 5:oo p.m., I was lucky enough to be "randomly" picked again a few hours later. I also got through twice on the phone lines, both times late in the afternoon. Total, I spent about 10 hours on Friday trying to get tickets.

Believe it or not, when I checked out the Cubs site earlier today, Saturday, plenty of tickets were still on sale. I managed to get through the waiting room 3 times in the morning, picking up a few extra tickets for each of the games I will be attending. I ended up with 27 tickets this weekend, plenty for myself and family members. So, if you're reading this and don't have any tickets, go get yourself back in the waiting room and you will find plenty of good seats still available. It took me only 10 minutes today before I got through online, so definitely check it out.

NL Central Preview: Milwaukee Brewers

2005-02-24T19:21:00.000-06:00

The brew-crew is here for their 2005 preview.

Milwaukee Brewers
2004 Record: 67-94, 6th place

The Brewers have a new owner in '05, Mark Attanasio, and Milwaukee hopes he will be willing to spend some cash and help produce the team's first winning season in over a decade.
New in '05: OF Carlos Lee (White Sox), C Damian Miller (A's), P Ricky Bottalico (Mets), 3B Jeff Cirillo (Padres), P Justin Lehr (A's), P Jose Capellan (Braves)
See Ya: P Dan Kolb (Braves), C Gary Bennet (Nationals), P Luis Vizciano (White Sox), IF Craig Counsell (D-Backs), IF Keith Ginter (A's), OF Scott Podsednik (White Sox)

The Outfield: Last year, the Brewers had one of the weakest hitting outfields in baseball. '05 may be a different story. With the addition of slugger Carlos Lee, the look of the outfield changes dramaticaly. By dumping speedster Scott Podsednik to the White Sox for Lee, the Brewers will definitely increase production from 53 outfield homeruns last year. Veteran Brady Clark will take over in CF, unless rookie Dave Krynzel beats him out for the job in spring training. The other outfield spot will be once again occupied by Geoff Jenkins, who played in a career high 157 games last year. If he is healthy, he will compete with Lee for the team's HR and RBI leads. Jenkins will move to right for the left-fielding Lee, and will continue to play excellent defense and show off his strong arm. Expect this outfield to be much more potent than the '04 version.

The Infield: First baseman Lyle Overbay is clearly the top offensive weapon in the infield. He led the team in batting average and doubles, setting a new club record for the latter. However, the Brewers are hoping that many of those doubles turn into homers this year, as the infield is a little lacking in the power department. The biggest long-ball threat in the infield is third baseman and strike-out machine Russell Branyan. Branyan had 11 homers in 51 games with the Brewers after coming over from Cleveland, but his 68 strikeouts in 158 AB is a bit frightening. Russell will have to compete with veteran Wes Helms for playing time. The middle infield will be led by second-baseman Junior Spivey, who was an All-Star in 2002. After injuring himself last year diving into first base and missing most of 2004, Spivey will look to reestablish himself in the majors. Now that Craig Counsell has departed, Bill Hall and rookie JJ Hardy will compete for shortstop. Hall played in 126 games last year, filling in wherever necessary, and managed to hit 9 HR and drive in 53 runs. If he can improve his batting average (.238) and OBP (.276), he is capable of great things in the majors. Hardy has shown promise, but missed all but 26 games last year in the minors due to injury. Hall will likely win the starting job at shortstop. Free-agent and Wisconsin native Damian Miller signed with the team this offseason and will take over catching duties. Miller is known for his skill in calling games, and will greatly improve the young pitching staff. Offensively, lets just say the Brewers didn't sign him for his bat.

Starting Rotation: Ben Sheets leads this young rotation, finishing third in the NL with a 2.70 ERA and setting a franchise record for strikeouts with 264 in 2004. His 12-14 record is very deceiving, and he could be the ace of any staff in the majors. Following Sheets is lefty Doug Davis, who also won 12 games in '04 and posted a 3.39 ERA. He also threw 207 innings, and with a little run support, could prove to be one of the game's most productive young pitchers. After Sheets and Davis, the rotation will be filled out by a bunch of youngsters, including Victor Santos, Chris Capuano, Jorge De La Rosa, Wes Obermueller, Ben Hendrickson and Jose Capellan. Santos and Capuano started for the Brewers last year, and will probably remain in the rotation. The rest of the young-guns will compete for the last rotation spot in spring training. Overall, this rotation will be highly unpredictable, brilliant at some times and awful at others. Sheets is really the only sure bet to have a good season.

Bullpen: After dumping closer Dan Kolb and setup man Luis Vizcaino, Milwaukee's bullpen will be downright awful. There is no reliever on the team clearly capable of closing, and guys like Mike Adams and Justin Lehr will compete for the job. Pitcher/hitter extraordinaire Brookes Keischnick and Jeff Bennett will setup. Beyond that, expect a bunch of young guys to fill out the bullpen.

Outlook: The '05 Brewers will more consistant than they were in '04, and will average out their 45-41 first half and 22-53 second half. You can definitely count on the Brewers to compete in the Central--for 5th place. The Brewers are close to seriously competing, and with a new owner and more payroll flexibility, they will get better with each passing year. However, in '05, expect a 71-91 season from the Brewers.

NL Central Preview: Houston Astros

2005-02-23T21:23:00.000-06:00

After a long delay, here is the Astros portion of my NL Central Preview.

Houston Astros
2004 Record: 92-70, 2nd place

After making it to the NLCS last year and losing to St. Louis, the Astros will be looking to return to the postseason in 2005. However, free-agent departures and injuries may derail any postseason hopes.
New in '05: P Turk Wendell (Rockies), P Dave Burba (Giants), P John Franco (Mets), P Dan Wheeler (Marlins), OF Charles Gipson (D-Rays)
See Ya: CF Carlos Beltran (Mets), 2B Jeff Kent (Dodgers), P Wade Miller (Red Sox), P Darren Oliver (Rockies), P Dan Miceli (Yomuiri Giants)

The Outfield: With Carlos Beltran leaving via free agency and Lance Berkman out until at least May 1st with an offseason knee injury, the Astros' outfield is in shambles. Youngster Jason Lane will likely get a starting outfield spot, and despite the temptation to return Craig Biggio to second-base after Kent's departure, he will have to play in the outfield again. Also, it appears Orlando Palmeiro will start in RF. Palmeiro has never been anything more than a backup and pinch-hitter in his career, and most likely will do nothing more than fill out the outfield. With the return of Berkman, this outfield may return to respectability, but at the moment it is quite pathetic. Defensively, losing Beltran was a huge blow in the wrong direction. Combine that with 36 year old career backup Palmeiro in right, a rookie (Lane) in center, and 39 year old Biggio in left, the oufield is, without a doubt, headed for disaster.

The Infield: As with the outfield, the infield does not look very stable. Jeff Kent's departure leaves a gaping hole in the infield. Rookie Chris Burke is expected to replace Kent at second. Burke is a solid hitter with speed and occassional pop, but he won't match Kent's production (.289 Avg, 27 HR, 107 RBI). The aging Jeff Bagwell remains at first, but continues to suffer from shoulder problems and will be hard pressed to reach his '04 totals (.266 Avg, 27 HR, 89 RBI). Catcher Brad Ausmus is gold-glove caliber behind the plate. Adam Everett will return at shortstop and is coming off a promising year cut short by a fractured wrist. Everett will provide average and speed, as well as a solid glove. At third-base, Morgan Ensberg will be the starter and is a decent all-around player. While he is nowhere near the likes of Scott Rolen or Aramis Ramirez, Ensberg is a solid player with good power. Defensively, this infield is nothing special. With a rookie at second and only average defense at the corners, don't expect too many Web-Gems.

Starting Rotation: With Roger Clemens returning for another year and 20-game winner Roy Oswalt, the front end of the rotation is in good shape. Lefty Andy Pettite must come back strong from 2004's injury plagued season if this rotation is to be successful. Last season's success is enough to earn Brandon Backe the 4th spot in the rotation, and will be counted on for innings and quality starts. The 5th spot is still up for grabs. Pete Munro, who ended last season as the 5th man, and lefty Carlos Hernandez will compete for the final rotation spot. With health concerns and several youngsters, this rotation is a bit shaky. After Clemens and Oswalt, the rest are very beatable and may cause the season to nose-dive straight down to disaster.

Bullpen: Brad Lidge has established himself as one of the top closers in the league. However, the Astros may have trouble getting the ball to Lidge with a lead. This problem was exposed in the 2004 postseason, and manager Phil Garner often used Lidge for 2+ innings to protect leads and prevent the weak bullpen from blowing games. That strategy will not work over the long, 162 game season, and Houston's bullpen will need to improve. This offseason, the Astros have not made any major improvements to the pen, and if the relievers falter, the starters and Lidge will be called upon to pitch the majority of the team's innings. The bullpen is key to Houston's '05 success, but in all likelihood, the bullpen will dash any playoff hopes.

Outlook: Overall, the '05 Astros are a much weaker team than the '04 Astros. With a weak lineup, this team will struggle to score runs. Losing Beltran was the worst blow to the team, offensively and defensively, and will be impossible to replace. The rotation must stay healthy and its youngsters must step up. The bullpen must also step up its performance and create a solid bridge from the starters to closer Lidge. All factors considered, a 83-79 season is very likely for the Astros, a great disappointment from last years postseason birth and success.

More Preview on Tuesday

2005-02-21T18:07:00.000-06:00

Sorry I haven't been able to post in a while, but I've been very busy lately. I will have the Houston Astros portion of my NL Central preview posted by Tuesday evening. So check it out. Meanwhile, with spring training upon us, check out the neat photo and more below. Peace and GO CUBS!!!

Cubs Spring Training in the 1940's at Catalina Island, California
For more photos and other cool stuff, check out Ballpark Digest's Spring Training 2005

NL Central Preview: St. Louis Cardinals

2005-02-18T16:54:00.000-06:00

Here is the second part of my NL Central Preview, featuring...

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
2004 Record: 105-57, 1st Place

Much of the core of the defending NL championship team is returning from last year, but they have taken a few major blows. Team in ( ) is either the player's 2004 team or new 2005 team, depending upon whether he is arriving or leaving. I will stick with this format for the rest of my previews.
New in '05: SP Mark Mulder (trade with A's), SS David Eckstein (Angels), 2B Mark Grudzielanek (Cubs), P Mike Myers (Red Sox, Mariners), C Einar Diaz (Montreal)
See Ya: SS Edgar Renteria (Red Sox), P Danny Haren (traded to A's), P Kiko Calero (traded to A's), C Mike Matheny (Giants), SP Woody Williams (Padres), P Steve Kline (Orioles), 2B Tony Womack (Yankees)

The Outfield: The Cardinals will get a full season from RF Larry Walker, while the rest of the '04 outfield returns for another year. Gold-Glover Jim Edmonds patrols center-field, and his left-handed bat is good for 35+ HR and 100+ RBI. LF Reggie Sanders provides power and speed in the lineup, but will strike out over 100 times. Larry Walker was limited to 258 AB last year after missing 2 1/2 months with a groin injury. If he is healthy, he plays Gold-Glove defense and hits for power and average. Overall, this is one of the top outfields in all of MLB.

The Infield: The 2005 season will feature a revamped infield, with the departures of Rentaria at shortstop and Womack at second-base. Replacing the aforementioned are Eckstein and Grudzielanek. Both are downgrades over their predecessors. Eckstein is a hard-nosed player with limited abilities. He plays hard but does not possess great power or speed, and only hit .276 last year in 566 AB. He has big shoes to fill in replacing All-Star Renteria. Grudzielanek, who was with the Cubs in 2004, is a gap hitter coming off an injury-shortened season. He is a solid player when healthy, but doesn't have the speed of Womack. He is a solid defensive player, but is nothing spectacular. Concerning the corner infield spots, Scott Rolen and Albert Pujols are the best in the game at their respective positions. Rolen is a Gold-Glover, and despite battling a knee injury, hit .314 with 34 HR and 124 RBI in 2004. Pujols played through a heel problem last year and will do the same this year after passing on surgery this offseason. This infield will be very good, but not quite as good as last year.

Starting Rotation: Mark Mulder, acquired from the A's, will fill out the rotation after Woody William's departure this offseason. The rest of the rotation will return, but Matt Morris will miss the start of the season after offseason shoulder surgery. Lefty Rick Ankiel will fill in for Morris. Ankiel has struggled with control throughout his career, but showed flashes of brilliance last year, while walking only 1 and striking out 9 in 10 innings. Jeff Suppan, Jason Marquis and Chris Carpenter round out the rotation in solid fashion. Suppan had 16 wins last year and only lost once on the road. Marquis won 15 games, 11 of them in a row. Carpenter, who went 15-5 in the regular season, missed the entire 2004 postseason due to a nerve problem in his right biceps, but he says he is healthy. Suppan and Marquis struggled in the playoffs, despite their regular season success. If the rotation is healthy, another stellar season can be expected. Without a doubt, this is one of the most productive rotations around.

Bullpen: The bullpen was one of the Cardinals strengths in '04, but they have lost two key men, Kiko Calero and Steve Kline. Replacing Kline is the Mike Myers, who will become the team's left-handed specialist. Closer Jason Isringhausen had a 47 save season in '04, and was not even completely healthy. A 50 save season is not out of the question. The rest of the bullpen is excellent, with Ray King, Julian Tavarez, Cal Eldred and Al Reyes. Reyes was a AAA call-up last year and was surprisingly successful. Look for more of the same. This bullpen once again will be great, but the losses of Kline and Calero will hurt.

Outlook: This team is solid throughout, and another 100 win season is possible. Several key players left during the offseason, which will hurt the team a lot. The new acquisitions will have to step up their performances if the Cardinals are to repeat as division champs. The team will have to stay healthy as well. If Pujols, Rolen or Walker miss significant time, the team may be headed for trouble. All in all, a 96-66 season appears very likely.

NL Central Preview: Chicago Cubs

2005-02-16T17:01:00.000-06:00

All right Cub fans. My 2005 preview is finally here. With pitchers and catchers reporting today, who could pick a better day to start!? Here is the Cubs portion of the preview, with the rest to follow as I get around to it.

CHICAGO CUBS
2004 record: 89-73, 3rd place

The offseason has seen major changes come to the Chicago Cubs. RF Sammy Sosa and LF Moises Alou have departed, as has Matt Clement, Mark Grudzielanek, Kent Mercker, Kyle Farnsworth, and the list goes on. New guys include Jeromy Burnitz, Jerry Hairston, Jr., Roberto Novoa, Henry Blanco, and Stephen Randolph.

The Outfield: Between Sammy and Alou alone, the Cubs have lost 74 HR and 186 RBI. Sosa's replacement, Jeromy Burnitz, will likely fill in nicely for Sosa and at least equal his production. But LF is still up for grabs. Youngster Jason Dubois and pinch-hit extraordinaire Todd Hollandsworth will likely split time in left. While this provides a nice lefty-right option, platoon systems often result in less production than would be yielded by sticking with one guy. Jerry Hairston Jr., acquired in the Sosa trade, will fill in anywhere he is needed and act as a super-sub with the capability to start. Also, Corey Patterson must decide whether he is going to be a 5-tool player. He has the capabilities, but has not shown consistancy. Patterson needs to cut down on his strikeouts and work to get on base more often.

The Infield: The infield looks solid, with Derrek Lee, Todd Walker, Nomar Garciaparra and Aramis Ramirez. Look for big years from all 4, and the infield will have to carry the club offensively for the Cubs to have success. Nomar is coming of an injury-plagued year, but he is one of the best when healthy. He has never hit below .300 in a season in which he played at least 50 games, and has plenty of pop, too. Michael Barrett showed his potential with last year's breakout performance, and must build on his '04 success. Infield defense is a bit of a question mark with Walker, Nomar and Ramirez. Walker has always been a bit of a klutz with the glove, but Nomar should rebound from last year's lousy performance. Ramirez had a great year with the glove in 2004 and totaled only 10 errors, but his 33 errors in 2004 showcase what could happen. Derrek Lee is Gold-Glove caliber at first, and must stay that way with this infield.

Pitching Staff: If everyone is healthy, the Cubs have arguably the best rotation in baseball. Mark Prior and Kerry Wood are coming off injury-shortened years and must rebound. Mr. Consistancy, a.k.a. Greg Maddux, showed his age last year with a 16-11 record and 4.02 ERA. Carlos Zambrano, last season's ace, must continue his success and work to keep a level head. The 5th spot is still questionable, but Glendon Rusch appears to be the favorite to win the job. Rusch was great last year as a spot-starter and long-reliever, and he needs to carry that success over to starting full-time. If the staff stays healthy, the Cubs are headed to the playoffs.

Bullpen: The Cubs are currently without a proven closer this year, and it appears Ryan Dempster, with all of 2 career saves, will start the year as the closer. LaTroy Hawkins failed miserably last year as a closer, but was highly successful as a setup man. Joe Borowski is coming off shoulder problems and may not return to his 2002-2003 form. The rest of the bullpen is a mix of veterans and youngsters, with Jon Leicester, Todd Wellemeyer and Mike Remlinger looking to continue success in '05. Newly acquired lefty Stephen Randolph could make the difference in the pen, but has been inconsistant in the majors.

Outlook: Overall, much of the Cubs hopes for 2005 depend on good health and a lot of luck. With the closer quandry, LF platoon, and health problems, the Cubs could be headed for disaster. But I have a good feeling about this year's new look team. A better balance of lefties and righties will definitely help the offense, and I think Dempster will succeed as a closer. If most of the team stays healthy, I see a 91-71 season easily within the Cubs reach.

Pitchers and Catchers

2005-02-15T19:27:00.000-06:00

That's right folks. Pitchers and catchers report on Wednesday. Tomorrow.

FINALLY! THE START OF THE SEASON IS UPON US! :)

Sorry about that. I just had to let it out.

On a more serious note, I should have my predictions for the '05 season up soon. But until then, here's something to chew on.

The Cubs will not win the Central Division crown. That title will be won by, sadly, the Cardinals.

More later, as time permits.

Barry Larkin

2005-02-14T17:39:00.000-06:00

We Are Nearing the End of an Era

12-time All-Star shortstop Barry Larkin announced his retirement on Sunday, after 19 years with the Cincinnati Reds. 19 years! With one team! Larkin recieved offers from several other clubs to play as a utility player, but he turned them all down out of loyalty to the Reds. He will join the Washington Nationals as a special assistant to GM Jim Bowden who, not so coincidentally, is a former Reds GM. These days, 5 years with one team is considered a long time, and 19 years is unfathomable. Loyalty is often spurned by players in favor of greed. When given the choice between staying with a team and money, the majority of players go for money.

About a month ago, I made a similar point following the Carlos Beltran signing. Larkin is of a dying and nearly extinct breed. Since free agency came about in the mid-1970's, teams have constantly been competing for the best players, and the players and their agents--cough cough, Scott Boras, cough cough--keep driving up the prices, saying, "Highest bidder wins!" Loyalty is an aspect of the game that is nearly gone completely. Before free agency, players were basically owned by their owners and had no choice but to play for one team. And when a player did change teams, he was usually sold for money, as with Babe Ruth. Players like Larkin and Cal Ripken, Jr., who voluntarily spent their whole careers with a single team despite free agency, are being phased out of the game. Such a feat is truly remarkable in today's game, and my hat is off to Larkin and other legends of loyalty.

Larkin and Ripken: Legends of loyalty in today's free agent world.

New CBA Members

2005-02-13T16:52:00.000-06:00

Three new Cubs blogs have joined the Cubs Blog Army within the past few days. They just keep on coming! I guess there's just no stopping the combined powers of Cubdom and the Internet.

The Jose Canseco book and Jason Giambi apology are just about the only recent stories in the baseball world. Pitchers and catchers report on Wednesday, and I should have my NL Central preview and predictions up by the end of the week. Peace, and Go Cubs!

5th Rotation Spot

2005-02-11T18:20:00.000-06:00

Time Will Tell

With the Cubs' first 4 rotation spots locked up, attention now turns to the 5th spot. Wood, Zambrano, Prior and Maddux make up the majority of arguably the best rotation in baseball, but the 5th spot may be crucial to success in '05. Glendon Rusch appears to be the front-runner, but the Cubs have plenty of talented youngsters who are looking to impress in spring training. Rusch may be more valuable to the team as a long reliever, allowing a youngster to take the 5th spot. Now, a look at possible candidates for the 5th rotation spot.

Glendon Rusch

Following last year's surprise success, the left-handed Rusch is looking to obtain a permanent spot in the rotation. Rusch averaged 6.25 K/9 innings and 2.68 BB/9 innings last year, largely helping to improve over his disasterous 1-12 2003 season. He also gave up less than 1 hit/inning last year, and a WHIP of 1.25 was key to his success. If Glendon can show last year was not a fluke, and maintain last year's stats, then he deserves a spot in the rotation.

Glendon Rusch: Can he repeat his '04 success?

Sergio Mitre
The 23-year old right-hander (24 on Feb. 16) is looking to establish himself as a big-league starter. In 12 games with the Cubs last year, 9 as a starter, Mitre showed his inexperience at the major league level. An ERA of 6.62, WHIP of 1.76 and 20 BB in 51.2 innings last year did not help his cause. Mitre has shown he can perform at the minor league level, but has been inconsistant with the Cubs. With the Iowa Cubs (AAA), Mitre was 6-4 with a 2.98 ERA in 102.2 IP last year. His WHIP of 1.32 at Iowa was modest, as Mitre has often struggled with control. Many have speculated that Mitre will be traded before the winter is over, and he appears to be a long shot to start the season as the 5th starter.

Sergio Mitre: Can he perform at the major league level?

Angel Guzman
Guzman, twice rated the Cubs top pitching prospect by Baseball America, is coming off shoulder surgery in 2003. He has not worked many innings in his career, but has shown excellent control and overwhelming stuff in his 450 career innings over 5 years in the minors. His career WHIP of 1.20 and 7.85 K/9 are indications of good things in the future. Guzman looks to have a legitimate shot at the 5th spot; but if he does obtain the spot, he may fizzle out towards the mid-to-end of the year because of the workload over the long season. Rumor has it that Guzman will take over the 5th spot at mid-season, supplanting Glendon Rusch if he doesn't perform well.

Angel Guzman: Does he have the experience
and stamina for the big-leagues?

Bobby Brownlie and others have a chance, but it is a very small one. The 3 aforementioned have the greatest chance at obtaining the 5th spot in the starting rotation.

My Prediction
Glendon Rusch will start the season as the 5th starter. Sergio Mitre will be shipped out of town this winter--possibly to Tamba Bay for Aubrey Huff (and Danys Baez?)--because of his inconsistancy. Angel Guzman will take over for Rusch after he falters around mid-season and is returned to long-relief. Guzman will live up to his potential and serve as a solid 5th starter until the end of the year, unless he is overworked in the first half at AAA and runs out of gas at the end of the year with the big club. In '06, Guzman will spend a whole year with the Cubs and dazzle the league with his stuff.

Bleed Cubbie Blue

2005-02-10T20:57:00.000-06:00

Al Yellon from And Another Thing has moved to Bleed Cubbie Blue. Same Al--new place. There are still a few kinks to be worked out at the new site, but it looks to be just as great as And Another Thing.

Nothing much going on today. Rumors are still floating around about a possible trade for Octavio Dotel, and the Aubrey Huff rumors persist. Huff, yes. Dotel, no. We don't need another possible closer, we need a lights out automatic guy.

Farnsworth traded to the Tigers

2005-02-09T15:36:00.000-06:00

The Farns had no more Worth to the Cubs

In a deal hailed as addition by subtraction, Kyle Farnsworth has been traded, along with a player to be named, to the Detroit Tigers for pitcher Roberto Novoa, infielder Scott Moore and outfielder Clarence "Bo" Flowers. After 6 years with the club, Farnsworth did not live up to his potential and was consistantly inconsistant. With a 100 mph fastball, Farnsworth was viewed as a possible closer for several years, but disappointed again and again. To make matters worse, Farnsworth injured himself last year after kicking a fan. Farnsworth had his chances with the Cubs, but simply never proved his Worth.

Kyle Farnsworth: Maybe he should have been in the WWE.

The prospects from Detroit have been rated highly in Detroit's minor league system, but only Novoa has shown major league capabilities. GM Jim Hendry may be collecting prospects in order to make a major trade and avoid giving up his prized guys in the process. If so, then Jim has made a wise choice by dumping Farnsworth to obtain trading chips.

Jeromy Burnitz

2005-02-08T18:51:00.000-06:00

My '05 Prediction

Lefty slugger Jeromy Burnitz will be a fine replacement for Sammy Sosa. I have no doubt that Burnitz will surpass Sammy's '04 stats, and he may even outperform Sosa in '05. Hence, my predictions.

Burnitz: .276 avg, 33 HR, 103 RBI, 85 Runs, 31 2B, 2 3B, 150 hits, 4 SB, 55 BB, 132 K, .346 OBP, .568 SLG, 4 Errors in the field

Wouldn't it be funny to see Burnitz do Sammy's
traditional sprint to RF on opening day at Wrigley?

Overall, Burnitz will have a very similar season to '04, but with slightly lower power numbers. Playing at Wrigley will help to make up for the Rocky Mountain effect. He plays good defense and is an upgrade over Sosa. Jeromy is a solid hitter and a good pickup, despite the harsh criticism he has received from Cub fans. Right field will not be a problem in 2005, and Burnitz is a good guy who comes to the park ready to play every day. I said very early in January that Burnitz would be a good Sosa replacement option, and Hendry has made the right decision.

Where in the world is...

2005-02-07T17:24:00.000-06:00

Rod Beck?

While the Cubs still are without a closer as Valentine's Day grows near, a semi-random thought has popped into my head. Where has "Shooter" gone? The unforgettable mullet and Fu Manchu Beck sported for many years, including 1998 with the Cubs, is still ingrained in my brain. The 1998 season, during which Beck set a new franchise record for saves by a right hander in a season, was the last time the Cubs had a dominant closer. Joe Borowski was good a few years ago, but has yet to prove himself as a dominant, lights out guy. Sure, Beck was no Gagne in '98, but you can't argue with 51 saves and a 3.02 ERA.

I wonder where Beck has ended up? Last I heard, he had been released by the Padres and was without a team. Maybe, if he still has gas left in the tank, the Cubs could give Shooter another shot. The Cubs are without a proven closer, and Joe Borowski, the team's last capable closer, is coming off an ineffective and injury-plagued season. With Beck available, he could bring his veteran presence to the Cubs and still do a decent job in the bullpen.

In 2004, Rod was largely ineffective, but in 2003 for the Padres, he saved 20 games and had an ERA of 1.78 in 36 appearances. With Ryan Dempster, an unproven closer and failed starter, likely to start the season as the team's 9th inning guy, the Cubs appear headed for failure in 2005. But with Rod Beck available, why not take a chance? He could easily match, and would likely surpass, Dempster as a closer. Plus, he has 286 career saves, and definitely knows how to get the job done. Leave Dempster as a long reliever or a bridge guy between the starter and Hawkins in the 8th inning, where he did okay last year.

Rod Beck: Maybe he's still living in a motor home somewhere,
pondering whether or not to grow out the mullet again.

So I say take a chance with Beck, because we've got nothing to lose. If he performs well, then everyone is happy and jubilant. If not, at least we know Dempster wouldn't have done much better. So how about the Cubs give Beck a chance, and bring back Shooter!

A Final Farewell

2005-02-03T21:40:00.000-06:00

Sosa's press conference brings tears.....of happiness and sadness

The love-affair between Sammy Sosa and the Chicago Cubs has been under a great deal of strain for the last few years. But on Wednesday, the divorce became official. Sammy Sosa, who played with the Cubs for over a decade and became as synonymous with Cubdom as Babe Ruth with the Yankees, is now a Baltimore Oriole. Sammy's departure had been expected since the end of the 2004 regular season; it was only a matter of time. As Sosa's popularity with players and fans in Chicago dwindled, both sides realized that the time to move on had come.

At his press conference, donning a #21 Baltimore jersey and Oriole hat, Sammy repeatedly emphasized the fact that Sammy Sosa and Cubdom needed to move on; without one another.
"Those were some of the most beautiful 13 years of my life," Sosa said. "I had a great time. But for me, it was time to move on." After all Sosa did for the Cubs, the team did what was in the best interest of both parties and have decided to forge a new future for themselves, separately.
Seeing Sammy in a white, black and orange Orioles jersey was, without a doubt, one of the saddest things I believe I have ever seen. Sosa, who was the heart and soul of Chicago's north-side for so many years, was driven from town--partly by his own doing--and his image tarnished for eternity. He was worshipped for years by fans around the globe, and has now been reduced to a shadow of his former self, in both status and physical size.

"I'm hoping he will not be viewed as someone who did a lot of wrong things in his last few months on the job," Hendry said. "He was great to the fans for a lot of years, and that's how he should be viewed. When he's done, we're going to talk about 600, maybe 700 home runs, and certainly a place in Cooperstown. He did a lot of good things." But because of his personal choices and inflated ego, many fans will only remember the bad things Sosa did while as a Cub.

Tears began to well up in Sammy's eyes while he reflected on the past 13 years in Chicago, and I was touched by his words and demeanor. I believe he recognizes he made some bad decisions, and let his head get in the way of his real intentions. Sammy is such a complicated person; he is so likeable when he wants to be, but he often has let SamME get in the way. For that, Sosa will never attain the legendary status of former Cubs Ron Santo and Ryne Sandburg, to name a few. Maybe with Sammy out of town, fans will take the time to reflect on the past 13 years and all that he did for the team and city.

When discussing last year's fiasco, I think Sammy showed a lot of class by leaving matters at rest. Rather than condemn his now former manager, Dusty Baker, Sosa showed a lot of maturity by leaving the past alone and moving on with his career and life. Sosa stated, "I don't want to talk about the past. Whatever happened to me, I don't regret it, but I love to always go forward and move on. My legacy is there but I haven't finished it yet. The best of Sammy Sosa is coming now. It's going to be a beautiful year because I'm happy and I'm hungry." Sammy has moved on, as have the Cubs. With Jeromy Burnitz already lined up to replace Sosa in right field, the man who once embodied the spirit of Cubdom and baseball will be nothing more than a memory for Cub fans.

However, just as I am touched by Sosa's words, I am also greatly troubled. Most of Sammy's press conference questions were aimed at last year's problems, and Sosa avoided them, as he should have. But a few answers did come out during the interview. When asked about his relationship and problems with manager Dusty Baker, Sammy responded, "I'm a pride person. I believe it was the best for me to leave and that's how I made that decision," Sosa said. "I always said I wanted to finish my career in Chicago. But just like a marriage, sometimes you have to get a divorce."

To me, it sounded like SamMe was answering the question. A lot of the problems last year were created by Sosa and his pride. The divorce that he spoke of was simply the final stage of a destructive process that Sosa started. With his inflated ego and mannerisms, Sammy brought upon his own demise with the Cubs. Of course, the Cubs didn't help matters by releasing the infamous parking-lot video and making Sammy's return to Chicago unthinkable. The tears brought on by fond memories of Sosa turn to spite, in liquid form. After all he did for the team and community, Sosa turned his back on everyone. I am stuck in a love-hate relationship with Sosa, and this quandry may never have an answer.

Happiness and sadness combine when I think back upon the last 13 years, and it may take a while to sort out the mess Sosa left behind. As great a player as he was, and despite everything he did for baseball, the bad side of Sosa will always shine through in my memory. Similar emotions are running through Cubdom; how do we remember Sammy? Do we look at all the positives, or dwell on the negatives which led to his eventual expulsion from Chicago? The argument could, and likely will, go on for decades. As an old man, I will someday look back upon the Sosa era, and just what will I remember about him? The question has no easy answer, and anyone who has or ever will known of him will struggle with it, until the man who embodied the Cubs for over a decade has become nothing more a name in a history book and a memory of a time long ago.

Players' Union Approves Sosa Deal

2005-02-01T17:56:00.000-06:00

Cubs and Orioles Move One Step Closer to Completing Deal

According to MLB.com, the MLB Players' Association has approved the restructuring of Sammy Sosa's contract. As part of the restructuring, Sosa has reportedly agreed to void the clause in his contract that would guarantee $18 million for 2006 with a $19 million club option added for 2007 if the slugger is traded. With the large amount of money being voided, the Players' Association's approval looked to be a major hurdle in completing this trade. Sammy stands to lose millions of guaranteed money in the deal, and similar circumstances helped to kill the Alex Rodriguez-to-Boston trade last winter. Rodriguez would have had to reduce the value of his contract by $28 million , or about $4 million a year for the remaining 7 years on his contract. The restructuring was rejected by the Players' Association, and the deal quickly fell apart.

If only he knew: Sosa at Camden Yards in 2003 with former O's pitcher
Willie Roberts, (center), and bullpen coach Elrod Hendricks.

With the Sosa deal, Sammy would be in line to lose $18 million, with the 2006 portion of the contract being waived. Sammy could also lose an additional $19 million from the 2007 club option in his contract. The Players' Association has been insistant of players retaining the full monetary value of their contracts, and this deal stands to enter into an unprecedented domain.

Now, with the Players' Association's approval, this trade has leaped over one major hurdle, and looks to be completed within the week. More on the Cubs-Orioles trade as new developments arise.

Enough Already!

2005-01-31T17:18:00.000-06:00

With all of the rumors swirling around in a giant whirlwind, I find myself gagging and choking on all the stats and info flying around . As everyone knows, Sammy is gone. Accept it. Now, lets all sit back and see what Hendry has in store. Enough with the speculation about who will fill the void. I'm sick of all the arguing about who is better in the outfield. I'm guilty myself of questioning Hendry, but enough is enough. Hendry and his guys know a lot more about baseball than any of us fans, and we just have to trust in his judgement. As Hendry has said, he is only going to make moves that improve the team. We all know the candidates in the outfield, so let Hendry do his job and make the Cubs better. No matter what any of us fans say, our words will not change Hendry's mind or influence his decisions. If there is someone out there you would like to see Hendry get, that's just fine and dandy. But enough with all the blab and stats. Let Hendry do his job. He hasn't disappointed us yet.....and I don't think he's about to start now.

Sosa Deal Awaits Approval

2005-01-30T18:15:00.000-06:00

Deal Could Still Fall Through

The trade between the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles still faces minor hurdles, according to Cubs.com. It is possible that Sammy could fail a physical, or for some reason unbeknownst to Cubdom, decide not to waive his no-trade clause. Commissioner Bud Selig must also still approve the trade, and with the large amount of money being moved, could veto it. Sosa reportedly is willing to void the 2006 portion of his contract, but any restructuring of his contract must be approved by the Players Association.

A lot of small, loose ends must still be tied up before this deal is completed, and if so, I hope Hendry is able to land Aubrey Huff and possibly a closer in Danys Baez from the Devil Rays. Otherwise, this deal seems to be a disaster, in terms of finance and the talent the Cubs will recieving in return for Sosa. Hairston may have a high OBP, but he has no power at all and will not fill the void left by Sammy. If the Cubs can steal Huff from the Devil Rays to play right, I would be just fine with Hairston in left, providing a spark at the top of the order. But an outfield of Hairston/Dubois/Hollandsworth/Patterson is pretty depressing, in terms of home runs and RBI. However, the Huff deal sounds like something Hendry has been cooking up all winter, waiting for the right guys to be offered for Sosa and then jumping at the Huff opportunity. If so, I like the possibilities, and Hendry will be praised as a genius.

Cubs 2005 Lineup w/Huff & Hairston and sans Sosa
1. LF Hairston
2. SS Garciaparra
3. 3B Ramirez
4. 1B Lee
5. RF Huff
6. 2B Walker
7. CF Patterson
8. C Barrett
9. P Wood (Dusty has said Wood is the probable opening day starter)

Aubrey Huff to the Cubs:
What a steal that would be!

A swap of Sammy for Hairston in RF with Dubois and Hollandsworth in LF would be disasterous, and the outfield production would be pitiful. However, if Hendry can work his magic, the Cubs will have two base-stealing threats in Hairston and Patterson, and a solid middle of the order with Garciaparra, Ramirez, Lee, and Huff. Walker and Barrett would both provide solid and steady production. If this truly is only the first half of Hendry's monster move, then the Cubs will stand a serious chance to win the World Series in 2005.

Sammy to the Orioles

2005-01-29T21:51:00.000-06:00

Hendry Acts Out of Desperation

With the Sammy Sosa trade all but complete, the speculation can now begin. Sorry, maybe I'm being too easy on Sosa, but I would rather see Sammy in the outfield than Jerry Hairston, Jr. That's right, I said it. Sammy for Hairston is one of the most lopsided trades in recent years. The prospects being included are not even ranked within the Orioles top 5.

By dealing Sammy for Hairston, Jim Hendry has done one of the most hypocritical things I have ever seen. In essence, Hendry has traded one whiner for another. Jerry Hairston spent much of last year complaining about playing in the outfield rather than at second base, his preferred position. And yet, the Cubs expect Hairston to be their starting left-fielder next year. If Hendry wanted someone whining in the outfield, he could have kept Sammy and saved millions in the process. According to a report from ESPN.com, the Cubs will pay $10 million of Sosa's $18 million 2005 contract. I might have been more supportive of this deal had Jorge Julio been included, but now the Cubs will simply be paying for Sammy to play in Baltimore and they will still be without a closer.

Jerry Hairston, Jr. may have had success in the few opportunities to play that he has had, but I expect a major disapointment from him. He will complain about playing in the outfield, and whine all season. And with Todd Walker signed, Hairston would only get a chance at second base if Walker were injured. I believe this deal is a complete waste, and I believe Sammy will have a monster year in Baltimore while the Cubs are stuck with a young, whiny second-baseman/left-fielder. As I said yesterday, Sammy is poised for big things in '05, and the Cubs will be stuck paying for him while he enjoys success in Baltimore. I can imagine Sosa and Miguel Tejada teaming up to create a monster 3-4 combination in the lineup, while forging a friendship between Dominican Republic natives. Hendry simply became so desperate to trade Sammy, probably due to pressure from higher up, that he jumped at the Hairston offer, not so unlike a crazed, starving animal in the desert jumping at the first sign of life.

Baltimore clearly has come out on top in this deal. Hopefully, this deal won't be remembered as another Lou Brock or Babe Ruth type blunder, in which a great player was traded away for practically nothing in return, but I fear it will happen. Once Cub fans return to their normal state of mind--not this crazed, trade-Sammy-at-all-costs mentality--they will realize just how terrible this deal is for the Cubs, and will yearn for Sammy's production. And when Sammy arrives at the All-Star game in a Baltimore uniform, I hope he laughs in the face of any Cubs players in attendance.

Step Up to the Plate

2005-01-28T17:21:00.000-06:00

Sammy Must Prove Himself in '05

Sammy Sosa, the 36 year old man prone to clubhouse squabbles and striking out, will be a Cub in 2005. Despite the rumors heating up concerning Sosa, it is highly unlikely any team will seriously consider taking on Sosa's contract and attitude. Sosa to the Mets/Orioles/Nationals/ ect. sounds like an enticing offer, but in reality, the talent being offered in return is just as bad, if not worse, than keeping Sammy for 2005. For instance, the rumor of Sammy to the Mets for Floyd and Looper would only be a downgrade. Keeping Sammy has become a reality, and one that must be accepted in order to work.

Any Sosa dump idea may have sounded like the sweet call of birds in the spring a few months ago, but the only teams interested are offering mediocre talent while the Cubs pay a large portion of his contract. I said early in the offseason that a great destination for Sosa would have been with the Mariners. Sosa could have been a full time DH, after Edgar Martinez retired, and thrived in a much more low-key environment. The Mariners were horrible last year, and Sosa would have been a welcome addition as the Mariners crawl back to respectability. However, the Mariners signed the greater talents of Richie Sexson and Adrian Beltre, which trampled over any chance of a Sosa-to-Seattle possibility. Now, the Cubs and Sosa must come to terms and realize that he will be playing right field next year (unless, of course, the Cubs sign Magglio Ordonez--then Dusty can put Sammy in left). Rather than squabble all through next year, all while creating more noise than Sammy's booming boombox, the two sides must reconcile their differences and move on.

Sammy needs to leave his big head (above) in the past
and show just what kind of player, and person, he is.

With Sammy in the outfield next year, the slugger must get his act together. Sammy needs to work hard throughout the remaining offseason and produce a stellar season in 2005. As I have said before, I believe Sammy realizes that he will remain a Cub and recognizes the importance of an All-Star type season. Sammy realizes that a great year is needed not only for his personal benefit as a player, but as atonement for his actions in 2004. I have no doubt that the Sammy we see in 2005 will be a greatly changed one, who realizes that he needs to leave his ego behind and lead the Cubs to glory, no matter whether he bats 3rd or 8th. Sammy the Man needs to step up to the plate, and leave Sammy the Egotistical MadMan behind.

67 Days...

2005-01-26T16:08:00.000-06:00

Yup, only 67 more days until the Cubs season opener in Arizona. Cubs tickets go on sale February 25 this year, and they will probably sell-out within half an hour like last year.

Hendry has been very quite lately, but he was reportedly on his cell phone while at the Cubs Convention, maybe whipping up a deal. I sure hope so.

Now that Sammy is apparently stuck in town, I'm expecting big things from him in '05. If he has any brains at all--which I'm not quite sure about--he will try to prove that he can still play.
2005 Prediction for Sosa: .275, 45 HR, 110 RBI. Despite his off the field actions last year, Sosa had a decent season when considering he only played 126 games during an injury-plagued season. Mark my words, Sammy's 2005 season will be his best in several seasons. Sign Magglio Ordonez, and the Cubs have one of the top outfields in the league in '05.

Think of the Possibilities!

2005-01-25T19:00:00.000-06:00

Cubs Need Another Bat and a Closer

Following the Carlos Delgado signing today, the free-agent market is looking very bleak. Magglio Ordonez is just about the only big name player out there. The Cubs need another bat in order to compete in the Central Division, and the Cubs convienently have to look no further than to the South side of Chicago for the their man. Maggs may be coming off knee surgery, but I say take a chance and go for broke.

With the closer situation still up in the air, signing Magglio could bring a closer to the Cubs doorstep. Signing Maggs would make Jason Dubois expendable, so why not package him with some other prospects for a closer? Last I looked, there are no dominant closers left on the market, so trading for one seems to be the only answer. With all of the talent in the Cubs farm system, I'm sure Hendry can find somebody who is willing to part with their closer for Dubois and pitching talent.

Cubs Lineup w/ Maggs

1. CF Corey Patterson (if he can prove himself in spring training as a leadoff guy)
2. SS Nomar Garciaparra (please be healthy all year!)
3. RF Sammy Sosa (give him his spot back, and he'll tear it up. He will be motivated for this year. Remember the Manny Ramirez dump attempt? Lets hope for similar results)
4. 3B Aramis Ramirez (need I say more?)
5. LF Magglio Ordonez (if he's healthy, we're on our way to the World Series)
6. 1B Derrek Lee (still looking for his first 100 RBI season)
7. 2B Todd Walker (offense is pretty good--defense is bad)
8. C Michael Barrett (last year's breakout year points to good things in 2005)
9. P (Rotation is solid with the exception of the 5th spot)

"He shall come forth and deliver us!"
cries Cubdom.

Adding Magglio would make the Cubs the team to beat, and Ordonez insists his knee is fine. Up and down the lineup, I see no holes (unless Corey shoots himself in the foot and blows his leadoff opportunity--in that case, we may have a large hole). If the pitching can hold up and Hendry finds a capable closer, I see no reason why the Cubs will not make the playoffs. If Magglio decides to stay in town, the Cubs offseason might not be a failure.

The Magic of Baseball

2005-01-24T20:52:00.000-06:00

A lot of my life has revolved around baseball. My grandfather was a minor league pitcher, but blew out his elbow just as his career was beginning. He lived and breathed the Cubs, and each win was like salvation, while each loss was an agonizing death. My grandfather's influence was what turned me on to baseball as a child, and I haven't looked back since. I used to be into pro basketball, but as the Bulls' glory day disappeared, so did my interest.

In 1998, Cub fever really took hold for the first time. As a young man, I was old enought to understand the game and mature enough to be a serious fan. '98 was one of the greatest seasons I have ever experienced as a baseball fan. The home run chase between Mark "Big-Mac" McGwire and Slammin' Sammy Sosa was one of the greatest spectacles baseball has ever seen. That summer changed my life. My blood ran Cubbie Blue that summer, and I don't think I missed watching a single game. I would check the news every night to see whether Sosa or McGwire was in the homerun lead, and when McGwire hit #62 (off of Cubs pitcher Steve Traschel) to set a new record, my heart was captured by the game. Baseball took hold that year and hasn't let go since.

A special place in my heart

Many people say that baseball is no longer America's pastime, especially with the popularity of football and basketball. But I cannot think of any other sport in the world that can capture the hearts and minds of people like baseball. From the atmosphere at the ballpark to the dazzling feats accomplished by mere mortal men, baseball has a magic about itself unattained by anything else. The magic of baseball has captivated millions, probably billions, and I am proud to say that baseball has a magical place in my heart, where America's pastime lives forever in all its glory.

Cubs Convention?

2005-01-23T17:32:00.000-06:00

To much disappointment, I was not able to make it to the Cubs Convention this year. I attended in 2004 and it was a mess. Lines everywhere and people coming out of your ears. Could anyone out there reading this fill me in on this year's convention? Was it more of the same from years past? Did they have the players, former and current, going through the obstacle course, mini-golf and other kid challenges? That was a whole lot of fun to see last year (Tim Stoddard in the inflatable obstacle course was hilarious). I would appreciate any info. I've heard a little about Ryno and the new broadcasting team, but that is about it. Thanks.

Leading Off

2005-01-22T21:04:00.000-06:00

Corey Better Grow Up Fast

Dusty Baker's decision to bat Corey Patterson in the leadoff spot is quite a gutsy move. Even though the regular season is still over 2 months away, the speculation has begun none the less. In my opinion, Corey needs to prove himself to be a more consistant player before he bats leadoff. Sure, he can steal bases at an 80% success rate (71-89 career), but he has to be on-base in the first place before he can steal. Last season, Patterson had a dismal .320 on-base percentage, with .303 for his career. Corey simply does not get on-base enough to be an effective leadoff man.

With 168 strikeouts last year, Patterson showed just how raw of a player he still is. His impatience and poor eye at the plate led to only 45 walks in 2004, which is completely unacceptable. If Corey were getting 200 hits a season, then I'd be just fine with only 45 walks. But he batted only .266 in 2004 and only showed us his immaturity as a hitter. Corey needs a more balanced attack to bat leadoff. If Corey can show he is capable of working the count and creating run-scoring situations, he is the man for the job.

Flashes of Brilliance: We need to see a more consistant Patterson,
preferably a consistantly good Patterson.

I think Dusty Baker should give Patterson the leadoff spot for spring training and see how he responds. If he shows discipline at the plate, let him bat leadoff in the regular season. If he plays like the Corey we saw in 2004, then he just isn't ready. I'm not saying Corey is a bad player. I think he has all the talent in the world and the potential to be great, but needs to show he is a mature hitter before batting leadoff for the Chicago Cubs.

Alex S. Gonzalez

2005-01-21T14:40:00.000-06:00

Who Came Up With "Bobbles"?

After ex-Cub Alex Gonzalez signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, it was brought to my attention that Gonzo has affectionatly been nicknamed "Bobbles". Why? Is one bad play in the 2003 playoffs enough to forget about the man's fielding prowess? The playoff collapse cannot be blamed entirely on him, anyway. More importantly, Gonzo led all NL shortstops in fielding percentage in 2003 with .984, and has a career .975 fielding percentage. In 2003, his last full year with the Cubs, Gonzalez was a legitimate Gold Glove contender. Had he been a little bit flashier, Alex would have won for sure. Somehow, Edgar Rentaria won with a .975 fielding percentage and 16 errors. Maybe he didn't contribute much with his bat, but Alex Gonzalez certainly did a great job in the field. I just don't understand how the moniker "Bobbles" was created.

How about we compare Alex, in his best fielding season as a Cub, with the Cubs current shortstop, Nomar Garciaparra? Nomar has a career .969 fielding percentage, while Alex is at .975. Nomar's best fielding percentage in a single season (excluding 1996, when he played only 22 games at a .988 percentage)? .972. Gonzo's best? .987. Maybe I'm deaf, but I haven't heard anyone calling Nomar by the nickname "Bobbles", when Alex actually is statistically a much better fielder. Plus, Gonzalez played 8 seasons in Toronto on artificial turf.

So please, take your frustration out on someone else and leave Alex S. Gonzalez alone.

"Bobbles?"
No way

Anybody Seen a Closer?

2005-01-19T18:00:00.000-06:00

#1 Offseason Need Is Still Unaddressed

After Eric Gagne signed a $19 million, 2-year deal with the Dodgers, I began to think about the Cubs situation at closer. Following last season's disaster at closer with Joe Borowski and Latroy Hawkins, the Cubs still are left without a proven closer. Jim Hendry keeps preaching that Ryan Dempster has closer stuff and could fill the role nicely. Right, Jim. Isn't that what you told us about Latroy Hawkins? That little experiment didn't turn out so well.

Joe Borowski, Ryan Dempster and Latroy Hawkins
We need a real closer!!!

In order for the Cubs to have success next season, the 9th inning must become a sure thing. The Cubs blew way too many games in the 9th inning last year, and Jim Hendry must find a proven guy before the start of the 2005 season. With practically all closers on the free agent market taken, Hendry must make up for his procrastination by trading for a dominant closer. Hawkins can return to his set-up role, which he was so great in last year, and a proven, battle-tested closer can nail down games. The Cubs greatest concern is definitely the closer role, not the whole outfield mess. Pitching wins games, and with the Cubs solid rotation, a great closer will seal the deal for the team. Handing the ball to Ryan Dempster should only become an option when all else fails. While Hendry has attempted to shore up the bullpen, he has neglected to address the closer situation. Jim better have some trick up his sleeve; otherwise the Cubs may face another season of 9th inning woes.

Mariotti: Man or Monkey?

2005-01-18T16:45:00.000-06:00

Maybe He's Braindead

While reading Jay Mariotti's column in the Sun-Times this morning, I began to think about just how clueless he is. Wasn't this the same guy who trashed the Bulls and their management earlier in the season, especially after their 0-9 start? A monkey has got more brains than Jay does. Back in November, Jay wrote about the Bulls making a mistake drafting Eddy Curry, and how he should be traded. Today, he can't stop praising the Bulls and Curry. The other day, he verbally abused Peyton Manning after losing to the Patriots. Just weeks ago, he was praising Manning following his 49 touchdown season. I just don't get it. Mariotti does this with all sports teams. If you perform well, Jay has got your back. If you screw up, you'll never hear the end of it.

I remember reading once that dinosaurs had brains the size of peas, and I don't doubt Jay Mariotti is right there among the dinos when it comes to brain size. I've watched him on ESPN's Around the Horn, and his antics and arguements are often so pointless, I don't know how he has managed to ever win. I bet he bribed the show's host, Tony Reali.

When writing about the Cubs, Mariotti is just as clueless. When they're good, he's first in line to congratulate them. However, when they lose or do something he views as bad, he always seems to blame the Tribune Company. Jay thinks winning is as simple as spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a team for the best players. I wonder where he has been since 2000. Just look at the Yankees. They have followed Mariotti's super-spender plan to a point, and haven't won since 2000. Man or Monkey? Well, how about we just say he belongs in a zoo.

Mariotti: Man or Monkey
Based on his column, I'd say monkey.

All Quiet on the Cubbie Front

2005-01-17T19:33:00.000-06:00

Are You Bored Yet?

Am I supposed to be excited about Henry Blanco, Stephen Randolph, and Chad Fox? I sure hope not. I know bears go into hibernation for the winter, but I didn't know that applied to the Chicago Cubs! Who knows, maybe Hendry has got a mind-boggling deal in the works and he's dragging his feet just to torture us Cub fans. Yeah, real funny Jim. I might die of boredom before you do something significant.

Henry Blanco, Stephen Randolph, and Chad Fox.
Yeah. Exciting, huh.

Greed in the Great American Game

2005-01-16T10:43:00.000-06:00

Is over $100 million worth years of losing?

Carlos Beltran, you're a lucky man. You're making 8 figures a year and have the baseball world in the palm of your hand. Too bad you won't be playing in the October spotlight again for years to come. With your 7 year contract and average of 17 million due annually, you can watch the playoffs every year in a multimillion dollar mansion on a 240 inch plasma screen T.V., for all I care. But as you will soon find out, money doesn't buy happiness. As you watch your Mets struggle year after year, you will long for your days in Houston and think of what might have been had you stayed in the Lone Star State, or signed with another contender for less money. Soon, you will question if millions of dollars a year is worth watching the World Series from home each year.

Players With $100 million Contracts

Player, Team Years Total
Alex Rodriguez, NYY 2001-10 $252 million
Derek Jeter, NYY 2001-10 $189 million
Manny Ramirez, BOS 2001-08 $160 million
Todd Helton, COL 2003-11 $141.5 million
Mike Hampton, ATL 2001-08 $121 million
Jason Giambi, NYY 2002-08 $120 million
Carlos Beltran, NYM 2005-11 $119 million
Ken Griffey, Jr., CIN 2000-08 $116.5 million
Kevin Brown, NYY 1999-05 $105 million
Albert Pujols, STL 2004-10 $100 million

SI.com

Of the ten players on the list, only Pujols, Giambi, Ramirez, and Jeter signed their contracts with teams that had playoff-caliber records. The rest all signed contracts with teams that had records of barely above .500 and below. It seems as if most players these days are going for money rather than winning. Alex Rodriguez's $252 million dollar contract, more than twice the size of Beltran's $119 million, is the greatest example of all. The Texas Rangers had a record of 71-91 the year before A-Rod signed, and a record of 73-89 with him. Obviously, Mr. Rodriguez simply passed up the opportunity to win with another club for money. This is true with all of the players who signed with losing teams. Mike Hampton, for example, could have gone just about anywhere, but signed for $121 million with the Rockies. No pitcher would ever want to pitch half his games in Denver, unless of course he was making about $323,000 per start with the Rockies. As a result, Hampton lost two seasons in his prime during which he could have played for a contender and possibly even won a World Series ring. Greed simply has taken over the game, and by shelling out such huge chunks of change for players, the owners are only fueling the fire.

And The Walls Come Tumbling Down: Part 3

2005-01-15T19:06:00.000-06:00

Management Has a Responsibility to Fulfill
(Read Parts 1 and 2 first)
In my continuing search for the reason(s) behind the Cubs 2004 collapse, I have reviewed the role of the players and manager, and how the falling concrete at Wrigley became a omen of the things to come. But one aspect that has been untouched is the management. The most important link in the Cubs futility, the management should have been hovering over Wrigley last year in an effort to make sure everything would run smoothly. When the concrete began to fall, the executives should have been acting as a protective shield, stopping the problem before it hit Wrigley. The team seemed set for a curse-bashing, with a full season from Aramis Ramirez and new acquisitions Derek Lee, Greg Maddux, and others were ready to make an impact. However, management seemed absent for more most of the year, and the only major acquisition during the season was a hobbled Nomar Garciaparra. More importantly, however, was the lack of intervention when things began to break down in the clubhouse. While the players (such as Sammy Sosa and Moises Alou) deserve blame for starting the problems in the clubhouse (and broadcasting booth), management should also be held responsible for the disruptions by not stepping in and taking disciplinary action.

The only serious action the executives took came after the end of the season, with Sammy's fine for ditching the final game of the season, long after action should have been taken. For instance, why not remove T.V.s from the clubhouse after Alou complained about the broadcasters? Eliminating the problem is a much wiser option than ignoring it, as the Cubs front office did. Fines and suspensions should have also been implemented to get troublesome players back on track. No problem will ever go away by ignoring it, and that rung true after last season's disaster. No one but the management will ever know just why no action was taken. Regardless of the reasons, the end result is what matters. The executives simply let the concrete fall right between their hands, and land on Wrigley. Once the concrete hit, the damage spread like a disease and destroyed the Cubs 2004 season. May the 2004 season be a lesson to all affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, and don't let 2005 be wasted, too, as 100 years of futility is approaching.

It's About Time

2005-01-14T15:53:00.000-06:00

MLB Finally Cleaning Up It's Act

With MLB's new drug-testing program set to debut this coming season, it is just too bad a program like this wasn't implemented until now. It seems the premature death of Ken Caminiti, who died of heart problems brought on by drug use, has finally caused MLB to realize how filthy the game has become. Caminiti even admitted to steroid use, which he said started his problems with drugs that eventually killed him. And with Jason Giambi's grand jury testimony and recent health problems, the league has been pushed to the limit, even facing threats from the government. While Giambi has said that his benign tumor was not caused by steroid use, I find it amusing that the man can be so dumb as to believe people will believe his story. Giambi suffered from a benign tumor in his pituitary gland, which is the body's master gland and is responsible for controlling hormones in the body. Apparently, Giambi never realized that injecting himself with testosterone might throw his hormones, and therefore his pituitary gland, out of whack.

Bud Selig: Too little, too late.

I am happy with MLB's efforts, but it just seems too little, too late. I have a feeling MLB knew all along about the rampant use of illegal substances, but only saw the increased attendance resulting from all of the home runs. It was a very shortsighted move by MLB, and now with players getting sick and passing away from drug problems, they have created a monster which will take years to overcome.

Sammy Sosa No More

2005-01-13T15:34:00.000-06:00

Where Have You Gone, Sammy?

Sad as it is to say, Sammy Sosa is no more. It seems as if the once great player has been replaced, sometime during the past few seasons, by someone named Sammy SoSo. The man who once stood in line to take his place as the next Mr. Cub, waiting on-deck behind the great Ernie Banks has become nothing more than an egotistical maniac on his way down and out of the game. While Mr. Sosa is still a first-ballot Hall of Famer, he is destroying his legendary status in Chicago with each snipe at Baker and his teammates. And to make matters worse, his egotism is destroying the clubhouse and playoff hopes, while making a zoo of Wrigley Field.

A great opportunity wasted by Mr. Sosa

As of January 13, Sammy remains with the Cubs, and each passing day increases the likelihood that the Cubs will be stuck with him until after the 2005 season. It certainly is a shame that Sammy has turned his back on Cubdom the way he has, but now that Cubdom is turning its back on Sammy, he seems in disbelief. I still don't understand how one player can completely turn his back on his teammates and bosses in the span of one season, one of them (2003) being so highly successful. Mr. SoSo will likely remain a mystery for many years to come, and I am very disappointed in the way Sammy has turned his back on not only Cubdom, but the baseball world as a whole. One of the game's rejuvinators and great players, he is destroying himself in an attempt to shed blame from his poor performances. Will the real Sammy Sosa please stand up, and lead your team to salvation!?

And the Walls Come Tumbling Down: Part 2

2005-01-11T18:36:00.001-06:00

Falling concrete is reflective of more than just Wrigley's condition

Over these dreary, winter months of Chicagoland, I have come to think about just what happened during the 2004 season. It seemed as if everything was perfect, and I could see the World Series trophy just dangling over Wrigley Field, waiting to be claimed by the Cubs. But now I have realized that what I saw dangling was not the World Series trophy, but a chunk of concrete. This concrete, which had held Wrigley and all of Cubdom together for decades, was crumbling before my eyes.

The signs of disaster seem so obvious now that I can hardly believe nobody saw them. As the season progressed, they became more and more obvious. Dusty Baker, hired because of his reputation for handling players and their egos, seemed helpless in the dugout and clubhouse. As the team spun out of control, Baker merely turned his back on the problems. From arguements with broadcasters to players leaving games early, this dysfunctionality destroyed the team months before season's end. Baker's defense of his players, despite their unacceptable actions and words, shows just how far the corruption spread. But Baker does not deserve all of the blame, as many players on the team ignored all aspects of professional courtesy and respect. More importantly, however, is the lack of intervention by the management, as in fines and other disciplinary actions.

Jim Hendry, Andy MacPhail,and Dusty Baker. Missing in action?

While the Cubs were reaching for a World Series title, the problems they created and ignored fell back down to earth and destroyed their season. I hope the team has learned its lesson following 2004, and can start fresh in the new year. But without significant change, the corruption will stay, and I fear for the team in the future. If things stay as they are and management fails to intervene, the team and Wrigley may crumble under the strain.

Part 3: Management's Responsibility
Coming Soon

Beltran to the Mets

2005-01-10T17:58:00.000-06:00

With the deal between Carlos Beltran and the New York Mets complete, it has become a time of joy for Cub fans. And no, I have not lost my mind. Beltran to the Mets would, under normal circumstances, have been devastating to the Cubs and their playoff hopes. Ah, but you must understand that these are not normal circumstances.

The Cubs -in reality, not dreamland- really had no chance at Beltran from the start. Seemingly afraid to approach the $1oo million dollar payroll mark, the Tribune Company made no real effort to sign Mr. Beltran. The offer was reportedly 5-6 years and only modest at best, in terms of monetary value. But with Beltran to New York, the impact is nearly as great as it would have been had Beltran signed in Chicago.

By spurning Houston's offer, Beltran has left the Central Division and probably pushed Roger Clemens, the reigning NL Cy Young, into retirement. With Lance Berkman out at the start of the season due to injury, Beltran and Kent signed elsewhere, and Clemens retired, the Houston Astros don't look nearly as competitive and intimidating as they did last year. So by leaving Houston and signing in New York, Beltran made the second best choice, which works out very conveniently for the Cubs and their Central Division hopes.

And The Walls Come Tumbling Down: Part 1

2005-01-07T15:37:00.000-06:00

Falling Concrete Is the Least of the Cubs Internal Problems

Early in this new year, I find my mind continually drifting back to last season's falling concrete incidents at Wrigley Field. Just what does it mean? Is it a sign from the baseball gods, or just Wrigley showing its age? While the Cubs winning percentage last year was roughly the same before and after the first incident, a powerful message has been sent. Terrible things are to come unless changes are made, and the concrete was only the beginning.

A city worker installs safety nets at Wrigley Field during the summer of 2004

Part 2 Coming Soon

Ryne Sandberg!

2005-01-06T20:36:00.000-06:00

Don't you just long for the days of a slick-fielding, power-hitting second baseman?
(Sorry, Todd Walker, but you don't even qualify)

Holy Cow, You're a Hall of Famer, Ryne Sandberg
Congratulations!!!

Baseball Withdrawal

2005-01-05T15:52:00.000-06:00

Now that the baseball season has been over for nearly 3 months, many fans (including myself) are feeling its absence. The cold weather, awful football (Bears) and basketball (Bulls) teams, and the Cub's depressing offseason have all made me long for the good old days of summer.

Ahhh...... :)

Like all baseball nuts, the offseason is a time of great excitement for me, with the opportunity to sign valuable free-agents. However, it is also a time of great anxiety and fear. The St. Louis Cardinals are looking as good as ever with the addition of Mark Mulder, who will become the staff ace. If the Houston Astros can retain Carlos Beltran, they will definitely be in the hunt for the Central Division title. Roger Clemens, the reigning NL Cy Young award winner, will likely return to Houston if Beltran signs.
As much as I enjoy the offseason, I tend to fear it just as much. With the Tribune Company afraid of breaking the $100 million dollar barrier in salary, the Cubs just won't be able to compete with big-budget monsters such as the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees ($200 million?!). With a payroll half the size of the Yankees, it seems the Cubs will be left out in the cold, Chicago snow this winter.

Ryno Elected to the Hall of Fame

2005-01-04T20:21:00.000-06:00

News Update
Today, Ryne Sandberg and Wade Boggs were elected into the Hall of Fame, in case you haven't heard by now. Both were great players and very deserving of this honor. Congratulations to both, and good luck to Ron Santo in your Hall quest.

Offseason Debacle

2005-01-04T19:05:00.000-06:00

Jim Hendry! Turn that cell phone back on, now! It seems as if your phone is either off or out of battery, and you're starting to make me think that you actually want Sammy Sosa in right field next year. The Cubs are running out of options and -cover your eyes Tribsters- may be left with releasing Sosa as the only way to get rid of him. But of course, we all know that would never happen, not with the penny-pinching Tribune Company running the show. Hendry, it seems you're our only hope. You never know, maybe Jim's got a trick up his sleeve, but trade talks surrounding Sosa have been nearly nonexistant. With each passing day, hopes of trading Sosa, as well as signing Carlos Beltran, become slimmer and slimmer.
The Cubs still lack a quality left-fielder (nothing against Todd Hollandsworth, but he just isn't the answer), a closer, and bullpen help. While quality players such as Troy Percival, J.D. Drew, Jacque Jones, ect., the Cubs have not upgraded at any position, and most likely will be ignored by Beltran regardless of the Sosa situation. A possibility in left could be Jeromy Burnitz (.283, 37 HR, 110 RBI), but he would most likely ask for a lot of money, and is a strikeout machine. And with 7 errors in the outfield, he isn't a Gold Glover. But Burnitz seems much more capable than a platoon of Hollandsworth and Jason DuBois.
All in all, this offseason has been a disapointment, but with Hendry and his magic cell-phone (turned on, I hope), I just might have a different outlook come spring.