Joe Maddon to the Cubs?

Joe Maddon sudden resignation from the Tampa Bay Rays was stunning. After his friend General Manager Andrew Friedman left the Rays to head to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Maddon suddenly decided to use his opt out clause in his contract.
Where does Maddon go from here? How about the Chicago Cubs? The Cubs have a manager in Rick Renteria and the Cubs would have to pay a lot of money to make him go away. However, that is a small price to pay.

The Cubs have some of the best prospects in baseball, and Maddon knows how to get the best out of  a young Rays team. Maddon is a two time AL manager of the year with the Rays.


In closing, do not put anything past Theo Epstein and Cubs GM Jed Hoyer.

The Chicago Cubs Have A New Mascot

Hell Has Frozen Over.

For the first time in over a century, the Chicago Cubs have a mascot.

CLARK THE CUB.

Not sure how I feel  about this. However, young Cubs fans would probably like the mascot a lot, and truly, maybe the Cubs will become a good team by the time these fans grow up.

The Chicago Cubs Should Trade For Ichiro

The Chicago Cubs are clearly in a rebuild state right now. The Cubs lost 96 games last season, and Starlin Castro appeared to regress last  season. Despite that, the Cubs still were 12th overall in attendance at just under 3,000,000 fans. They need a name that will fill the seats again, and they CAN do this without some  big time mega contract that could wreck their  rebuild plans.

How?

Make a trade for Ichiro Suzuki with the New York Yankees.

In 2008, the Cubs had a Japanese Outfielder, a 30 year old MLB rookie named Kosuke Fukudome. He homered on Opening Day 2008 in a losing effort for the Cubs. He stayed with the Cubs until being traded to the Cleveland Indians in 2011. Fukudome was not as fast or as powerful as Ichiro was in his trendsetting MLB debut in 2001 with the Seattle Mariners.

The New York Yankees have two new outfielders in former Red Sox  Outfielder Jacoby Ellsburry  and Carlos Beltran. Curtis Granderson is now a New York Met. The Yankees could put Brett Gardner or Alfonso Soriano in the Outfield spot that is not filled.

A trade with the Cubs for Ichiro would also have to come with a new jersey number for him, as the number 31 is retired. However, the name would fill seats  and give Ichiro a full  time outfield job he has not had since his days with the Seattle Mariners.

The only drawback is the Cubs already have left handed Outfielders in Nate Schierholtz and Ryan Sweeney, and just traded lefty Brian Bogusevic for righty Justin Ruggiano.

The only question left is: Who would the Cubs trade for Ichiro?

How about Class A  pitcher Corey Black, who  the Cubs recieved from New York in the trade for Alfonso Soriano?

Get  it done, Cubs Front Office.

My Thoughts on The Cubs

Yes, I am back for now posting about sports again. The layoff has been long and baseball's postseason picture has become clearer by the day. As we all know, the Chicago Cubs have had an awful season under manager Mike Quade. Carlos Zambrano had another meltdown, and hopefully never pitches for the Cubs again. The guy is a super talented pitcher, but his anger problems have been well documented on this team since he became the Ace of the staff in 2007. The Cubs made the first step torward respectability again by firing General Manager Jim Hendry. Hendry had been at the helm of the Cubs GM slot since 2002. Under Hendry, the Cubs won the NL Central in 2003, 2007, and 2008, but suffered unexpected postseason exits every time. Now that Hendry is gone, I will tell you what I would want to see with the Cubs come 2012.
 1. I Want A GM Who has put together a title winning team.
 I think this is imperative that the Cubs hire a guy who has put together a title winning team?. Why? Because the Cubs have the longest title drought in Sports history! I would like to see the Cubs go after a guy like Brian Cashman or Theo Epstein, two guys who have experience in putting together championship teams. Epstein built that 2004 Red Sox team that shocked the world in 2004. Facing elimination down three games to none in the American League Championship Series to the New York Yankees, The Red Sox became the first team in baseball history to win four straight games to go on to the World Series! The Red Sox then made quick work out of the St Louis Cardinals, pulling off a four game sweep to win the World Series! Epstein was also on board when the Red Sox retooled with Florida Marlins castoffs Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell, went back to the World Series in 2007, sweeping the Colorado Rockies to win it all again. Cashman led the Yankees to finally win the World Series again in 2009.
 2. NO Big Free Agent Signing!
 Albert Pujols is a big Power hitting first baseman. While most Cubs fans have dreamed about him signing with us this offseason, I have been dead set against the Cubs signing him. The Cubs already have signed guys to contracts for too many years and too much money (I'm looking at you Alfonso Soriano.) And with Pujols, I think his inevitable decline has started as a hitter. You can usually always count on him for a .300 season with 40 homers and 100 RBIS, he as of right now is right at .300 with a 37 homer mark with 97 RBIS. Pujols is 31. I don't want to sign a guy to a seven, eight year contract. This team needs to focus on starting pitching. I know that big C.C. Sabathia of the Yankees has an opt out clause after this season, but I don't think he's going anywhere.
New Manager, Pitching Coach as well.
As hard a pill as it was to swallow that Ryne Sandberg would not be returning in Cubbie Pinstripes to manage the team after spending three years managing Cubs minor league teams (each year finishing with a winning record and playoff appearance,) I decided to embrace Mike Quade as Cubs manager. However, it seems like the only players that respect him are the players. The umpires don't respect him (He is tied for the Cubs record for manager ejections) and the fans seemed mad that Ryno is now managing the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs of Philly's Triple A system. He hates taking out pitchers and would rather watch a guy implode than take him out when it looks like he doesn't have his best stuff. Check out closer Carlos Marmol's ten blown saves, the most in baseball by Three! Larry Rothschild was the Cubs pitching coach for many seasons. He then left the team for greener pastures, as he is now the pitching coach for the New York Yankees. The Cubs replaced him with bullpen coach Mark Riggins. Riggins seems to have done more harm than good as a pitching coach to me. The starters are in the games too long, to the point where they're worn down stamina wise, and the relievers don't have the ability to shut guys down, especially in the late innings, that is required to get wins and save ballgames! In a dream world, Greg Maddux would be my choice for Cubs pitching coach,but he will probably stay in the Cubs front office. He is currently an apprentice to assistant Cubs GM Randy Bush.

The Complete 2011 MLB On Fox Schedule

2011 MLB on FOX REGULAR SEASON BROADCAST SCHEDULE
(Note: Schedule Subject to Change; All Times 4:00 PM Eastern Unless Noted)
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees
San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego Padres at St. Louis Cardinals

Saturday, April 9, 2011 (*1:00 PM ET)
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves

Saturday, April 16, 2011
New York Mets at Atlanta Braves
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Chicago White Sox
Minnesota Twins at Tampa Bay Rays

Saturday, April 23, 2011
Atlanta Braves at San Francisco Giants
Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers

Saturday, April 30, 2011 (*1:00 PM ET)
New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Tampa Bay Rays

Saturday, May 7, 2011 (*1:00 PM ET)
Minnesota Twins at Boston Red Sox
Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs
Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles

Saturday, May 14, 2011 (*7:00 PM ET)
Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs
Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers

Saturday, May 21, 2011 (*7:00 PM ET)
New York Mets at New York Yankees
Chicago Cubs at Boston Red Sox
Oakland A’s at San Francisco Giants
Texas Rangers at Philadelphia Phillies

Saturday, May 28, 2011 (*7:00 PM ET)
Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets
Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers
Cincinnati Reds at Atlanta Braves
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Minnesota Twins
Kansas City Royals at Texas Rangers
St. Louis Cardinals at Colorado Rockies

Saturday, June 4, 2011
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals
Los Angeles Dodgers at Cincinnati Reds
Colorado Rockies at San Francisco Giants

Saturday, June 11, 2011
Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia Phillies
Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants
Texas Rangers at Minnesota Twins

Saturday, June 18, 2011
New York Yankees at Chicago Cubs
Texas Rangers at Atlanta Braves

Saturday, June 25, 2011
New York Mets at Texas Rangers
Washington Nationals at Chicago White Sox
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Los Angeles Dodgers

Saturday, July 2, 2011
New York Yankees at New York Mets
Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs

Saturday, July 9, 2011
New York Mets at San Francisco Giants
Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies
Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox

Saturday, July 16, 2011
Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets
Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Oakland A’s

Saturday, July 23, 2011
Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
San Diego Padres at Philadelphia Phillies
Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins

Saturday, July 30, 2011
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals
Tampa Bay Rays at Seattle Mariners
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Detroit Tigers

Saturday, August 6, 2011
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
Philadelphia Phillies at San Francisco Giants

Saturday, August 13, 2011
Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees
Texas Rangers at Oakland A’s
Colorado Rockies at St. Louis Cardinals

Saturday, August 20, 2011
St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs
Seattle Mariners at Tampa Bay Rays
Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies

Saturday, August 27, 2011
Atlanta Braves at New York Mets
Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins
Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers

Saturday, September 3, 2011
Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals
Baltimore Orioles at Tampa Bay Rays
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers

Saturday, September 10, 2011
Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants
Cincinnati Reds at Colorado Rockies
Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers

Saturday, September 17, 2010
WILD CARD

Saturday, September 24, 2010
WILD CARD

Chicago Cubs Legend Ron Santo Dies

Ron Santo, one of the greatest players in Chicago Cubs history and a longtime WGN radio announcer, has died of bladder cancer at age 70. Santo was a nine-time all-star in 15 big league seasons.

I am stunned to hear about the passing of one of the greatest third basemen in baseball history, Ron Santo. Santo was a legend in Chicago Cubs lore. In his 14 years with the Cubs and his final season across town with the White Sox, the third baseman hit .277 with, 2,254 hits, 342 home runs and 1,331 RBIs. He won the Gold Glove award five times. (How the man is not in the hall of fame, I will never understand, and they may induct him one day, but they should have given him the honor when he was alive!)

Santo joined the Chicago Cubs radio booth in 1990 and lived with the Cubs and every pitch. He basically was a fan in the booth! He had the energetic calls of "YESSS!" or "Oh Nooo!" were legendary and showed just how much this man loved his team.

I haven't even talked about his fight with diabetes. He was diagnosed with the disease when he was eighteen, undergoing surgery over a dozen times on both legs before ultimately losing both legs to the disease. This man was a warrior.

The Cubs have lost a great ambassador, and more importantly, the world has lost an even better peson.

Rest In Peace Ron.

Post #1400: Mike Quade Named Cubs Manager

Well, by now I'm sure you've heard the news. Mike Quade has been named the Cubs Manager. He has signed a two year contract. Of course, the biggest news was that Ryne Sandberg did not get the job, or that the Cubs did not wait until after the postseason to see if Joe Girardi was available.

How do I feel about the move?

In 2006, when the Cubs were interviewing candidates to become their next manager, one of the candidates they interviewed was Ryne Sandberg. Cubs GM Jim Hendry told Sandberg that he needed to start managing down in the minors and work his way up. Sandberg started down at the Peoria Chiefs, then managed the Tennesee Smokies the following year, then managed the Iowa Cubs, winning the Pacific Coast League manager of the year award.

Lou Piniella gets the job to manage the Cubs, leading them to the postseason in 2007 and 2008, but they get swept out of the first round both years. The Cubs regressed in 2009 and 2010. Lou Piniella retired early in the season, replacing him with Mike Quade.

I think I was most suprised to announce that the Cubs did not wait until after the World Series to see if Joe Girardi was available.

I think that it is downright disheartning that the Cubs passed on the obvious heir apparent to the legendary Lou Pinniela, Ryne Sandberg. The man who thought that going all the down from Peoria would help him get a job managing at the Major League Level.

I know that Mike Quade led the Cubs to a 24-13 record in his season managing, but the fact that the Cubs may have lost the chance for a hall of famer like Ryne Sandberg to wear a Cubs uniform again is disheartening to me.

It's a two year deal, so maybe the Cubs don't believe they can contend for the next two seasons.

The biggest question I want answered is:
How in the World does GM Jim Hendry still have a job? He should have been fired as soon as he traded away Mark DeRosa and signed Milton Bradley.

When Will Baseball Break With Maple?

There's no other way to ask it.

When is Major League Baseball going to break with Maple?

Yesterday, Cubs rookie outfielder Tyler Colvin, who leads the league in rookie homeruns with twenty, was at third when the bat from teammate Wellington Castillo separated.
He was injured when the fat part of the maple bat impaled him in the chest.

Colvin's season is over. His career was almost ended in an instant, thanks to another runaway piece of maple wood.

Commisioner Selig said the problem has been handled, citing that baseball is down over 50 percent in broken bats.

One problem: This is not like the rest of baseball, where percentages tell the entire story.

Cubs infielder Jeff Baker tells the story of seeing an umpire in Kansas City get slashed in the neck with a maple bat. Don Long was hit in the cheek by the same part of the bat a few years ago.

Is a player going to have to get killed on the field by a bat impaling their heart to get baseball to do something?

Baseball just keeps sitting on their hands, hoping nobody gets hurt by maple bats.

They can't wait anymore.

Video: Lou Piniella Has A Problem With Steve Stone

White Sox announcer Steve Stone ripped Lou Piniella for not playing outfielder Tyler Colvin more.

That set off Lou Piniella, and he had another meltdown. Check it out below!


"We've got a lot of people people here that haven't managed and won any games in the big leagues that know everything," Piniella said before Friday's game against the White Sox. "I think they should try to put the uniform on and try this job, and see how they like it when they get criticized unjustly. That's all I've got to say about that issue."

But Lou didn't stop there.
"And another thing I'm going to say — I won over 1,800 games as a manager, and I'm not a damn dummy,That, I can tell you. OK? There are only 13 others that have won more games than me, so I guess I think I know what the hell I'm doing. All right?"

He then put a face on his critics, saying that Steve Stone has "enough problems doing what he does with the White Sox."

"What job has he had in baseball besides talking on television or radio?" Piniella asked. "What has he done? Why isn't he a farm director and bring some kids around? Why isn't he a general manager? Why hasn't he ever put the uniform on and been a pitching coach? Why hasn't he been a field manager? There's 30 teams out there that could use a guy's expertise like that, you know? I'm tired of some of these guys, I really am."

I have gotta say that Lou is right on this issue. I remember when Steve Stone was the Cubs analyst, alongside Chip Caray (And Harry Caray before that.) It is very convenient to say "A team needs to do this" from afar. If Stoney ever does put on a uniform, I think that would give a whole different perspective on the talking heads on Television.

Lou is right on in ripping Stone, but the Cubs have dropped the first two of a nine game stand, all against American League Teams. This is a make or break series for them.

What's the big deal? I think that Kosuke Fukudome and Xavier Nady will be gone next season anyway, and Tyler Colvin will be the Cubs starting Right Fielder in 2011.

My First Interleague Game!

I took a trip to Arlington Texas this past weekend. I saw the Chicago Cubs take on the Texas Rangers. It is my first Interleague Baseball Game! Before the game, the trolley from the hotel that was supposed to take us to the ballpark was over an hour late! We finally arrived at the ballpark at about 6:50 PM. The PA announcer was going over the starting lineups when we walked in. Our seats were in the Center Field Bleachers. I could not believe my eyes. The Chicago Cubs, for the first time since August 14, 2002, were right in front of me! I was so eager to get the ballgame started. I saw Texas get past a leadoff walk to end the top of the first, then saw Ted Lilly have a dominant outing against the Rangers bats. Cubbies had runners at first and third in the second when the Shortstop (Starlin Castro) grounded into a 6-4-3 Double Play to bring a run across, 1-0 Cubs. The Rangers would come back in the fourth inning. I was actually in line buying a soda when this play happened, but I saw the replay on one of the TVs. The Cubs third baseman threw the ball wide of our first baseman. Our Second Baseman then threw the ball wide to third, allowing the runner(Ian Kinsler) to head all the way to third. (The Ballpark went Crazy!) Vladamir Guererro hit a long fly ball to left for a double, tying the game at 1. Guererro would then be brought around with a double, giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead. There were no homeruns hit by either side.

Fast forward to the top of the eighth. The Cubs have hit back to back singles. Then, the ball gets away from the catcher, allowing the runner to move up all the way to third! I remember thinking "All The Cubs need is a base hit to tie it!" Our Second baseman (Mike Fontenot) hit a ball down the Left field line that I thought was going to at least tie the game....Then the ball went just foul, by an Inch! I kid you not! Fontenot then struck out looking to end the inning. I remember telling my dad "That was our best chance and we wasted it."

Go to the Top of the ninth. The Rangers then bring in their closer with an electric fastball, Neftali Feliz. I said "Oh No! This kid Feliz can throw 100 with regularity!" "That may be, but how's his control?"said my dad. "He's Still working on that." I said. This kid was regularly reaching 96 on the radar. I have never heard the Mitt pop like it did when Feliz was pitching! That was unreal! A groundball to second for one out. Cubs call up a pinch hitter. He hits a double into right. I said "All they need is a hit!" A ball was hit foul down the right field line, but the outfielder (Nelson Cruz) made a spectacular leaping catch at the wall for the second out! That allowed the runner to move up to third. Then Kosuke Fukudome ended the game by popping up to shortstop Elvis Andrus to end the game.

I had a blast at the ballpark, and more importantly, my family did as well.

The Cubs would go on to win the next two games and win the series.

The Future Is Now!

Starlin Castro has been called up to The Chicago Cubs, according to ESPNChicago.com.

Castro will join the team in Cincinnati.

Ryan Theriot is expected to move to second base to make room for the 20 year old phenom.

The Cubs need something to improve their defense. They commited three errors against the Pirates in the finale of that three game series. Aramis Ramirez has yet to start hitting, so the Cubs had to make this move.


The future is now for the Cubs!

Congratulations, Andre Dawson!

Andre Dawson was the only player to get more than the 75 percent mark to gain admittance into the Baseball Hall Of Fame this year.


The obvious surprise at this year's hall of fame vote is that Roberto Alomar, one of the greatest second baseman of all time, didn't get the 75 percent needed to get in, finishing with 74 percent of the vote. Pitcher Bert Blyleven fell five votes shy of induction. He has two years remaining of eligibilty.

I think in 2011, Alomar and Blyleven will be inducted, no doubt about it.

Andre Dawson won the National League Rookie of the year award in 1976 with the now defunct Montreal Expos.

After ten seasons playing on the rock hard turf of Montreal's Olympic Stadium, Dawson left Montreal and offered the Cubs a blank contract. Cubs General Manager Dallas Green offered Dawson $500,000 dollars. Dawson then went on to have one of the greatest individual seasons in baseball history, as Dawson hit .287 with a league leading 49 homeruns and 137 RBIs to win the National League MVP Award for a last place Cubs team.

Dawson played six seasons with the Cubs before moving on to the Boston Red Sox before finishing his career in 1996 with the Florida Marlins.

Andre Dawson finished his career with  a .279 batting average, 438 homeruns,1,591 RBIs, and 314 Stolen Bases. Dawson also had four Silver Slugger Awards, Eight Gold Gloves, and was on eight All Star teams.

I think the most telling stat in favor of Andre Dawson is that he is one of only three players in the history of the game to have 400 homeruns, 300 stolen bases, and 1500 RBIs, joining Willie Mays and Barry Bonds.

Congratulations to "The Hawk" Andre Dawson on making it to the most exclusive club in Baseball. Dawson shows that good things happen to those who wait for the call to the hall.

CORRECTION: Corrected to Show Andre's batting average of .279, not his OBP of .323, which was originally posted as his batting average. Thanks to blog reader JF for recognizing my mistake. No More Late Night Blogging for me!

Rudy Jaramillo Is The Cubs New Hitting Coach!

The Chicago Cubs have named former Texas Rangers hitting instructor Rudy Jamarillo their new batting coach.

The deal is reported to be worth $2.42 Million over three years.

Jaramillo has worked with current Cubs Alfonso Soriano and Milton Bradley when they were Rangers. Milton Bradley led the Major Leagues in On Base Percentage in 2008 under Jaramillo.

Jaramillo left the Rangers after only being offered a one year contract. The Rangers could not offer more due to their ownership situation.

If anybody can help turn around what was a real pathetic offense for the Cubs this past season, Rudy Jaramillo is that guy. He has worked with some premier talent when he was with Texas.

This is a fantastic move by Cubs GM Jim Hendry and new owner Joe Ricketts.

Why Milton Bradley Needs To Get Out Of Chicago

The Chicago Cubs have suspended Milton Bradley for the rest of the season.

Bradley was signed to a three year, $30 Million dollar contract. How has Milton Bradley justified his fat pay day? Bradley batted .257 with 12 homeruns and 40 RBIs! Let's compare that to some of the other outfielders who were paid less yet produced way more.

Raul Ibanez of the Philladelphia Phillies was signed to the same deal as Bradley (Three Years, $30 Million) yet his stats are way better! Ibanez has a .277 average with 31 homers and 87 RBIs.

Bobby Abreu was signed to a one year, $five million dollar deal. Abreu has a .295 average with 13 homers and 96 RBIs.

Adam Dunn signed a two year, $20 million deal, and he may have put up the best stats of all! Dunn has a .278 average with 37 homeruns and 101 RBIs.

Milton Bradley just could not handle the heat that comes with playing on the North Side of Chicago. The fans want to see their team win a championship so badly, and if you are not producing, they will let you know it, as Alfonso Soriano was booed mercilessly this season despite playing with only one good knee.

I was not a fan of the signing of Bradley, as I just felt like he would not fit in Chicago. Now, it seems like Milton Bradley may have burned his last bridge with the Chicago Cubs.

The MLB 2010 Master Schedule Is Out!

The 2010 MLB Master Schedule is out.

The New York Yankees will start and end the 2010 season playing the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The season begins April 4th with a TBA matchup. The opening Red-Sox Yankees series begins April 5th.

On April 12th, the Red Sox will be the first team to play against the Twins in the new Target Field.

May 21st could be Milton Bardley's first visit back to Arlington, as the Cubs will play the Rangers in an interleague matchup.

June 18th might be Manny Ramirez's first trip back to Fenway Park since he was traded to the Dodgers.

The 81st Annual All Star Game is going to be played July 13th at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

The final game between the Giants and Dodgers will be played August 1st.

The Atlanta Braves play host to their division rival Florida Marlins September 27-29th.

On October 1st through the third, Lou Piniella's Chicago Cubs will play their final series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Pedro Martinez To Start Wednesday

Pedro Martinez will make his long awaited debut in front of a nationwide television audience.

Pedro will start on Wednesday night against the Chicago Cubs.

To make room for Pedro, veteran pitcher Jamie Moyer was moved from the rotation to the bullpen.

The Phils have a stacked rotation. Cliff Lee, J.A. Happ, and now Pedro Martinez. It will be interesting to see how an agressive team like the Cubs will respond to facing him.

No Place like First Place

Cubs Shortstop Ryan Theriot talks about the Cubs recent surge into first place.

Aramis Ramirez has retuned, and Milton Bradley has finally begun to hit the ball better. Alfonso Soriano has made the adjustment from leadoff man to Sixth man in the order, and the Cubs pitchers haven't missed a beat despite the fact that a moderate injury bug has forced Lou Piniella to make changes to his rotation.

The Cubs begin a four game series against The Astros tonight which will tell us a lot about the Cubs, who are finally starting to play good baseball.

Mark DeRosa On The Move

Two daggers for Cubs fans to deal with today.

Fist, the Gordon Beckham walkoff hit propelled the White Sox to an 8-7 victory over the Cubs. Now, Cubs fans are dealing with the news that Mark DeRosa, the team's best player from last season, has been traded from the Indians to the Cardinals, the Cubs archrival.

This season, DeRosa was hitting .270 with 13 homers and 50 RBIs.

DeRosa was traded for fireballer Chris Perez. Perez has a 4.18 ERA in 29 appearances with a 1-1 record and one save.

Chris Perez will join Cleveland's bullpen immediately.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has had a revolving door of third baseman this season, he gets a guy who can play all over the infield and outfield.

Mark DeRosa was traded from the Cubs (the Cubs claim money was an issue, but I don't buy it), and now he will join the Cardinals.

On a secondary note, Cubs fans probably wish they could press the rewind button on their offseason. They lose DeRosa, sign the overrated hothead Milton Bradley to a ludicrous contract, refuse to re-sign longtime Cub Kerry Wood and trade a kid who may have been the next C.C. Sabathia for a closer who tops out at 80 MPH in Kevin Gregg.

Don't call these offseason moves another Cubby Occurrence.

Call them what they are, Cubby Stupidity!

Alex Rodriguez Passes A Yankee Legend

Alex Rodriguez hit career homerun number 564, surpassing Reggie Jackson on the all time homerun list last night.

The Windy City Showdown is under way this weekend. The Cubs played the White Sox, and Milton Bradley is alienating people. After hos 0-3 performance, he became the latest Cub to attack the water cooler. He then got into an argument with manager Lou Piniella, who told him to change clothes and leave. Milton is expected back in the lineup tommorow.

Andre Ethier put on a show at Chavez Ravine as the Dodgers beat the Mariners.

Cubs Trail Indians 7-0, Enjoy Wild 8-7 Comeback Win

Mark De Rosa and Kerry Wood were two fan favorites at Wrigley.

Mark De Rosa singled home Cleveland's seventh run. Kerry Wood came on in the ninth after the Cubs cut managd to cut the defecit to 7-6. Kerry Wood then came on to try and stop the bleeding, but then he gave up a game tying homerun to Derrek Lee, Derrek's second homerun of the game.

In the bottom of the tenth inning, Ryan Theriot lined a base hit into right center field to score Alfonso Soriano,and the Cubs comeback for the second straight day and win a barnburner of a baseball game 8-7.