Archive for May, 2009

The resurgence of Kosuke Fukudome

Cubs center fielder Kosuke Fukudome is quietly putting together a very solid year. As May is closing out tomorrow, his .311 batting average and .441 on-base percentage illustrate the rebound he is making from a horrible second half of 2008. Kosuke is hanging in better on pitches, getting plenty of walks, but most importantly he [...]

May 30, 2009  Tags: , , , , ,   Posted in: biz of baseball, lineup, observations, players, roster, stats  No Comments

Talking Baseball radio with Bruce Levine

ESPN AM1000 in Chicago has probably the best baseball radio show going: “Talkin’ Baseball” with Bruce Levine and now co-hosted by Dave Juday. Levine is in my view one of the most insightful and informed members of the Cubs media contingent. I think he sees and more importantly tells more than most baseball reporters. The show [...]

May 23, 2009  Tags: , , , , , , ,   Posted in: review, the media  One Comment

Hendry must influence Peavy’s ultimate destination

Cubs GM Jim Hendry may or may not be willing to do what it takes to bring San Diego Padre’s ace Jake Peavy to the Northside. He may not have the lattitude with a management in transition to commit the players or finances to get the deal done. Or he may feel the price is [...]

May 22, 2009  Tags: , , , , , ,   Posted in: Hot Stove, Jim Hendry, biz of baseball, players, rivalries  No Comments

Bobby Scales is living a Kevin Costner movie

Is there a better story out there than the Bobby Scales story?  I mean, this guy is a living Kevin Costner movie.  Ten year minor leaguer without so much as a sniff of the big leagues. Not even a September call-up along the way. The Cubs pull him to Wrigley just in case they need [...]

May 15, 2009  Tags: , ,   Posted in: observations, players, roster  2 Comments

Hat Trick for Patrick

Not directly related to the Cubs except in spirit, but congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks organization and fans on winning annother playoff series and advancing to the NHL Western Division Finals! Patrick Kane scored a Hat Trick in last night’s series clinching game at the United Center.
As I wrote in my Cubs – Hawks comparison [...]

May 12, 2009  Tags: , , , , , ,   Posted in: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Cubs need fewer MRIs, more RBIs

Cub players this year seem to get as many MRIs as RBIs …or at least it seems that way. The latest to visit the MRI booth was Derrek Lee today. Seems like he will join the ranks of the walking wounded that are not on the DL. That’s a good thing, but still, I for [...]

May 11, 2009  Tags: , , ,   Posted in: Wrigley Field, observations, photo of the day, players  No Comments

Life without Aramis Ramirez

It’s been a tough week for sluggers named Ramirez. Of course Manny’s undoing was of his own making.  But all-star Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez having dislocated his left shoulder in last night’s game is a tremendous blow to this team.
There was a lot of talk as spring training broke of having no legitimate backup for A-Ram [...]

May 9, 2009  Tags: , , , , , , ,   Posted in: Hot Stove, Jim Hendry, lineup, observations, players, roster  No Comments

New Facebook Group for Cub fans!

New Facebook group for the Cubs victory song GO CUBS GO!
Join & share on Facebook - show your support for America’s team – your reigning National League Central Division Champion CHICAGO CUBS!
Post your Cubs photos, share comments & stories, and see all things GO CUBS GO!  Download from Amazon.com the original Steve Goodman song and play it when [...]

May 8, 2009  Tags: , , ,   Posted in: Blogroll, CubHub.net Site Update, Wrigley Field  One Comment

Samardzjia down, Chad Fox up

Chicago Cubs GM Jim Hendry made a roster move sending former Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzjia back to AAA Iowa and calling up tired old veteran Chad Fox to plug a middle relief hole in the bullpen.
When I first heard the report, I thought they called up farmhand Jake Fox who is crushing the ball [...]

May 7, 2009  Tags: , ,   Posted in: Hot Stove, Jim Hendry, players, roster  2 Comments

Did Lou concede yesterday’s game?

Cubs manager Lou Piniella filled out a most unusual lineup card yesterday. He started just two regulars (Derrek Lee & Kosuke Fukudome), one rookie’s first every MLB game (Bobby Scales), and his #5 starter (Sean Marshall) to face reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum.
“We’re in a stretch of 20 straight games without [...]

May 6, 2009  Tags: , , , ,   Posted in: Lou Piniella, game recap, game strategy, lineup, observations  No Comments