Why I Now Want The Name of Wrigley Field Changed

Please don't be like this asshole, Cubs fans. I'm pleading with you. Stop caring about the name change! Don't look like this guy.

I always thought the Tribune Company was the worst thing for the Cubs. Maybe now it's the Chicago Sun-Times.

Your Daily Brian Roberts Rumor

From The Baltimore Sun, by Jeff Zrebiec & Roch Kubatko:

On a day when two Chicago Cubs scouts were on hand to watch him play, second baseman Brian Roberts stood out in the Orioles' otherwise dreary exhibition season debut yesterday.


Roberts went 1-for-2 with a walk, an RBI double, a run scored and two stolen bases in the Orioles' 16-3 loss to the Florida Marlins at Fort Lauderdale Stadium.


...The sequence, which was taken in by Cubs special assistant to the general manager Ken Kravec along with another Cubs scout, is an example of what makes Roberts so attractive to Chicago officials.


Looking for a leadoff hitter to jump-start their offense and get on base ahead of sluggers Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee, the Cubs have targeted Roberts for months and there is a sense in the industry that the uncertainty with second baseman Mark DeRosa could accelerate the trade talks. DeRosa underwent a procedure yesterday to correct an irregular heartbeat.


The Orioles are believed to be looking for a package that includes pitcher Sean Gallagher, shortstop Ronny Cedeno, pitching prospects Jose Ceda and/or Donald Veal, and perhaps one other player.

4 players for Brian Roberts? Well, technically Ronny Cedeno counts as a player, but we all know he isn't one.

It doesn't look like this rumor will ever die.


Cubs Scouts Watching Roberts [The Baltimore Sun] via [MLB Trade Rumors]

Chicago Sun-Times Having Zell No! Video Contest

Attention Cubs and Sox fans: Write a song about Sam Zell's attempt to sell off the name of Wrigley Field, put it on video, upload it to www.YouTube.com and submit a link to your YouTube video below.

It's the Tribune vs. Chicago.

I feel embarassed for the videos already and the contest hasn't even really begun yet. Cubs fans are really going to take it on the chin from everybody outside the fanbase on this one.

And I can't be the only one that thinks it's pathetic that a struggling newspaper like the Chicago Sun-Times is trying it's best to pit a competitor newspaper against a city over something as stupid as renaming a field?

$1000 to the Winner of Video Contest [Chicago Sun-Times]

Sam Zell is Gordon Gekko

So I thought this jackass was going to just sell the Cubs? Instead, it looks like this guy is out for blood instead. Weird, considering he didn’t have to go through any MLB owner approval process. I’m pretty sure everyone was under the impression that Sam Zell was going to buy and then quickly sell the Cubs. Well that’s out the window.

Zell is going to sell the naming rights of the stadium. Then maybe sell the stadium. Zell sucked us in with the thoughts of a quick sale to an actual owner who wanted the Cubs, to selling the parts off to the highest bidder.

Is it smart business and will he make some money off this? Yes.

Is he still a fucking dickhead for doing so? Absolutely.

I’m not hung up on the name of “Wrigley Field” as most, although I would like to see it stay the same name. Will I boycott if they change it? No, that’s stupid. They’re still the Cubs. They’re still the team I’ve followed since I can remember. Changing the name of the stadium won’t be the end of the world. Zell can change the team name from the “Cubs” to the “Chicago Zells” or the “Chicago Greedy Bald Bearded Fat Fucks” if he wants and I would still follow them like I do now. Move the team to Schaumburg and I’d still follow them.

Some people are writing that the Cubs fans need to stand up to Zell. How on earth are we going to do that? Boycott the team? Get real. Write him letters, call his office, form protest lines? This cold-hearted businessman doesn’t care. Zell will rape and pillage where he can, and then he’ll be gone. We’re just going to have to deal with it because face it, what are we going to do about it, stop loving the Cubs?

Good Len Kasper Article Today

There's a good article in the Chicago Tribune today about Len Kasper.

I really like the broadcast duo of Len Kasper and Bob Brenly. I'm little biased toward Len Kasper, being that we both have graduated from Marquette University. Len & Bob are well organized and know the game well and unlike their crosstown counterparts, they actually announce the game.

And I liked them at first simply because Chip Carey was gone. When I hear people actually say that they prefer Chip over Len, I wish they could lose their hearing because they're obviously not using it now. Chip Carey is an insufferable blowhard douche that, like Joe Buck, only got a job in broadcasting of their fathers (and Chip's grandfather).

Anyways, read up on Lennie Kasper. [Chicago Tribune]

Alfonso Soriano is Afraid of the Wall

From the Chicago Tribune, by Paul Sullivan:

It's reasonable to believe Soriano should be able to hit more home runs, steal more bases and come up with more clutch hits, as he has done all of that in the past.


The big unknown is whether he will be able to overcome his fear of the outfield wall after playing tentatively at Wrigley Field in 2007.


While Soriano's arm turned out to be an asset in left, he let several catchable balls fall on the warning track or bounce off the base of the wall. He tended to lose track of where he was or pull up at the last second, turning a potential out into a extra-base hit.


"I have no problems running from side to side or running to make a catch in front of me," he said. "The only problem I have sometimes is running backward because I'm scared of hitting the wall. But I'm working very hard in spring training to get better."

Do I understand Alfonso's fear of the wall, considering it's made of bricks? Sure.

Do I care? No.


You're getting paid $136 million dollars to play and win a championship for the Cubs. If winning a championship means you running in the bricks every single game to save a run, then you run into the bricks. There are Cubs fans around the world that would gladly trade places with you and run into the bricks if it meant a championship. I could say "Pain is temporary" or "No Pain, No Gain," but I won't because they're bricks. It's pretty obvious it would hurt running into them. Soriano could run into the bricks on opening day and get paralyzed. It just shouldn't stop somebody from catching a ball.


I've always found that to get over a fear, you take it head on and experience "the fear." So this Spring Training, practice running into walls.


By the way, Sam Fuld thinks you're a pussy, Alfonso.


Soriano Afraid of Bricks [Chicago Tribune]

Tony LaRussa Denies McGwire PED Use, May Be Drinking Before Interviews

From the St. Louis Post Dispatch, by Brian Burwell:

Question: When you were deciding on bringing in Juan Gonzalez, were you at all concerned about his name being linked to the Mitchell Report? This isn't even a moral issue. Just from a pure baseball standpoint of not knowing what kind of guy you're getting now?


La Russa: "There are a lot of players who have done something to enhance their performance who don't have that swing. It's one of the best swings of our time. ... For me, it was always a matter of, what do you need? If Juan were a first baseman, we'd have no need. But he's an outfielder, so we had a need. To me, his only issues were being out of the game for several years. The issue of that stuff from the Mitchell Report doesn't cloud my mind because we're going to evaluate him only on what he does now."

Ok, nothing really news here. I think at this point, most people are just trying to forget about the past and move on.

Q: Does it bother you that rightly or wrongly, you and (assistant coach) Dave McKay have gained the unflattering label as the so-called godfathers of baseball's steroid era with your connections to Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire?


La Russa: "That's one of the crosses you have to bear, but let me tell you something about Dave McKay (the strength and conditioning guru of those Oakland and Cardinal teams). Dave McKay has as much or more integrity as any man I've ever met. He's so pure in his integrity, and that's why I fight so hard to defend what we've done. There's no chance that what happened officially at Oakland was tainted. Does it mean that we were policemen or that when our guys are not in our facilities, are not in our weight rooms that guys didn't experiment? No, you can't make that claim."

Which screams, Yes the players did things when we weren't around! You can't see anybody when your back is turned!

As we continued to talk, we moved on to McGwire and his tainted legacy. La Russa compared McGwire's work ethic to that of another man caught in the steroids swirl, Clemens. In spite of the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, La Russa maintained that both of them deserve a pass. "There's a certain amount of credit that should be given to a guy who's worked hours and hours to get stronger and bigger," he said.


I reminded him that the whole point of using many performance-enhancing drugs is to increase the ability to work and train harder. "So working hard doesn't give you an alibi that you didn't use drugs," I told him.


"Well, that's what you believe and you're probably right according to testimony, but that's not what I believe," La Russa said. "I watched Mark McGwire work."


I interrupted him.


"Wait a minute, Tony. You still don't believe McGwire used performance-enhancing drugs?"


"Absolutely not."


"Come on."


"Absolutely not," he said. "If you see Mark today, he still looks like he did then."


"No, he doesn't," I said.


"Yes, he does," La Russa said.


"No, he doesn't," I repeated.


La Russa tossed his hands in the air and looked at me in frustration. "Are you asking for my opinion or yours?" he said.


"I'm asking your opinion," I said. "But we're having a conversation, and I'm disagreeing with you."


He smiled. I smiled. He shrugged his shoulders. I shrugged mine, then the manager lowered the barrel of his bat to the ground and took a smooth golf swing and smiled again.


"Now I believe we started this conversation off talking about what most excited me about this spring training," he said. "Let's get back to that."

Wow. There's defending somebody and then there's just sounding downright stupid. For Tony's sake, he needs to go away from these interviews, because he's just ruining his reputation as a "baseball genius." Maybe he just needs to go away period. He can manage a baseball team, there's no doubt about it. Besides that, he can sound like a very ignorant man. At this point, don't you think it's disrespectful and a slap in the face to the fans of the game when he continues to deny this?


But how on earth can he sit there and continue to deny the use of PEDs in his clubhouses? One of the leaders in opening this can of worms is Jose Canseco, played under LaRussa.


LaRussa Still in Denial [St. Louis Post Dispatch]

5 Cubs in Baseball America's 2008 Top 100 Prospects

From Baseball America:

30) Kosuke Fukudome - OF

43) Josh Vitters - 3B

47) Geovany Soto - C

75) Tyler Colvin - OF

82) Sean Gallagher - P


So what does this list really mean? Well, it depends on who you ask probably. I'm sure the Chicago White Sox don't care very much for list, considering they didn't have a single player on this list.

If Lou is deciding early to go with the Vets in the rotation, but Baseball America is recognizing the talent of Sean Gallagher by putting him on the list, is it only a matter of time in 2008 that Gallagher will enter the rotation? If the Vets faulter in Spring Training or early in the season, it's reassuring that the Cubs really have some talent waiting in the wings.

At least on paper, anyways.

5 Cubs in Top 100 Prospects List [Baseball America]

Baseball Season is Coming Soon

A reminder to stay clear of White Sox fans.

SHOCKING NEWS: Ronnie Woo Woo Predicts Cubs World Series in 2008

All news from Ronnie Woo Woo is important news. Video from TheseBootsAreMadeForStalking.com,



What We Learn from the Video:
- Save your sick days for the World Series
- Ronnie Woo Woo is giving Barack Obama his endorsement. Obviously this is big news for Obama.
- Cubs Will Win the Central Division
- Play the Mets in the NLCS
- Win the World Series

Ronnie would also like to see Eddie Murphy and Sharon Stone at Opening Day. Eddie Murphy & Sharon Stone? Not sure what to read into that except that to ask Ronnie what year he thinks it is right now.

Ronnie Woo Woo's 2008 Cubs Predictions [The Boots Girls]

For Now, Cubs To Rely On Old Guys in Rotation

From the Chicago Tribune, by Paul Sullivan:

With the Cactus League schedule set to begin Thursday, the Cubs enter the '08 exhibition season with three or four starters battling for two openings, leaving no room for a surprise prospect like Sean Gallagher or Jeff Samardzija to steal a spot.


"We're going to pitch them here in spring training, but this is not a year for this," manager Lou Piniella said Monday. "I hate to say that, but we've got veteran pitchers here to consider, and they're going to get every chance, first and foremost. We like Gallagher. I like Samardzija. They're good, young starters with good arms. But truthfully, not coming out of camp. I'd be lying if I said that something like that would happen.

Zambrano, Lilly, and Hill are locked into the rotation, barring any unforeseen insistences. (Spots 1,2,4). Sullivan seems to believe that Dempster has the 3rd spot locked up, even though Dempster has yet to throw in a Spring Training game yet.

With that being said, at least for now anyways, the 5th spot is a battle between Marquis, Lieber, and Sean Marshall. Marquis will give you one good half, Marshall is too inconsistent, and who knows what you'll get from old Jon Lieber.

So why can't a Sean Gallagher be in the running? With Lou saying "Not coming out of camp," you'd have to think that it's only a matter of time once the season gets going. Gamble with a Marquis or Lieber for now, and clean up with the younger guys later. I have a feeling with the potential strong offensive firepower the Cubs might have, it won't matter who's pitching.


Vets to Fill Cubs Rotation, For Now [Chicago Tribune]

Coco Crisp Still Out There If Pie, Fuld Get Injured (Or Suck)

From the Boston Herald, by Michael Silverman:

With the Cubs, Felix Pie is a prized prospect as well but there are rumors he could be involved in a deal that would bring Baltimore’s Brian Roberts to Chicago. That could open up room for Crisp but there are a lot of ifs in that proposition.

The chances of this happening would have to be small to none. Unless Pie or Fuld get injured this spring, there really is no reason for the Cubs to trade for Coco Crisp. I don't think the addition of Crisp would put the Cubs any closer to a Championship than Pie or Fuld already do. Giving up some prospects for Crisp at this point would not be wise.


Crisp Still Looking to Get Traded [Boston Herald]

Jose Ascanio Punched at Convenience Store

From the Sun-Times Gordon Wittenmyer:

This time it was right-hander Jose Ascanio, who was sent to a hospital Sunday to be examined for injuries suffered Saturday night in a one-sided fistfight at a Scottsdale convenience store.

Ascanio, the reliever acquired from Atlanta in December for Will Ohman, was not seriously injured but suffered bruises and scrapes to the left side of his face.

''He got beat up pretty good last night,'' manager Lou Piniella said. ''He got punched a few times by a guy that was looking for some money. He didn't get robbed. But the guy asked for money and evidently the young man said, 'I don't have any money,' and the guy punched him a few times.''

Piniella said Ascanio's left eye was closed and his face was swollen. The pitcher wore dark glasses in the clubhouse early Sunday.

Ascanio didn't miss any work on the mound, and he's expected to be back on the field today, Piniella said.

Seriously, what the hell is going on in Arizona? First a few pitchers got robbed and now this happens. I would think that the Cubs either need to hire some more security or not allow players to travel around looking for a large bag of Cool Ranch Doritos by themselves. The only good thing is Asciano is light years ahead of Nook LaLoosh (Bull Durham) and didn't fight back possibly injuring his pitching hand. Hopefully Lou Pinella realizes he is smarter than this story makes him look.

Cubs reliever punched, should be ok. (suntimes.com)

Interleague Schedule Called into Question

Normally when the schedule comes out, Cubs fans cry and complain about the six games against the White Sox while the Cards play six against the Royals. However, as pointed out by Home Run Derby, that isn't the case this year.

Despite the NL Central being paired with the AL East in 2008, the Cubs avoid playing both the Red Sox and the Yankees. Instead they get three series with Tampa, Baltimore, and Toronto plus their rivalry home-and-home with the White Sox (who had a down year last season). Only 3rd place Toronto had a winning record in 2007. Cub fans will usually complain about Interleague unfairness, but with the Booyah network’s faves absent from the sked, they should be quiet in 2008.

Meanwhile, the Brewers get a trip to Fenway to play the Red Sox and six rivalry games vs. Minnesota. Prince Fielder might be a vegetarian, but there’s some meat in that schedule for him.

Houston and Cincinnati both have to play the Red Sox AND the Yankees. Houston gets off easy after that. Dusty Baker’s Reds aren’t so lucky … all of Cincy’s Interleague games are against teams with winning records. They play six games against the Indians. It’s the most brutal Interleague docket of ANY team in baseball.

While "the fans still love it" is a common answer by MLB front offices, players and owners are starting to sour on Interleague play and who can blame them? I am all for a balanced schedule to make things fair, but since the average fans love it, Interleague is going no where. Just remember that everything is cyclical, and soon enough the Cubs will play the Yankees and Red Sox in the same season.

Cubs' Interleague schedule easiest in division (Home Run Derby.com)

Brian Roberts Rumors Never End

From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Sources say that Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts will be traded to the Cubs as soon as the Orioles decide which pitchers they want in return. . . .

This gets interesting now with the whole Mark DeRosa Health situation. Obviously we hope Mark DeRosa gets better and we don't mean better to help the Cubs. We hope his heart condition gets better period. But if he can't...... well the Cubs better have a backup plan.

Right now, the back up second baseman are Alex Cintron, Mike Fontenot, and Ryan Theriot. And those are the players who have Major League experience. After that, what? Eric Patterson? Bobby Scales? Tony Thomas? Nobody is ready to step in. If the Cubs have to quickly move on Roberts if DeRosa can't play, expect the Orioles to purge the Cubs of even more talent given the situation.

Roberts Deal Still Floating Around [Philadelphia Inquirer] via [MLB Trade Rumors]

DeRosa has Irregular Heartbeat, Taken to Hospital

According to Carrie Muskat, Cubs.com:

Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa was taken to a local hospital Saturday as a precautionary measure after experiencing an irregular heartbeat during ground ball drills.

DeRosa was taken out of the Cubs' Fitch Park facility at 12:25 p.m. MT Saturday on a stretcher. He was sitting upright, and had an IV attached to his arm. Cubs athletic trainer Mark O'Neal accompanied DeRosa to the hospital.

We all have it to a certain degree, a rapid heartbeat type thing,"Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot said. "They did an EKG here and he was fine. I think they brought him over [to the hospital] for precautionary reasons to make sure he's all right.

While no one else has said much other that the fact that it was for precautionary reasons, this is not what the Cubs needed. DeRosa who was arguably the Cubs MVP last year, has had the Brian Roberts trade lingering over him all winter, and acted like a professional all along. Hopefully he can get back out on the field in the next few days.

DeRosa taken to hospital (cubs.com)

1997 Mike Piazza/Nike Commercial

Friendly, Funny War: Dempster vs. Kevin Millar

It started with Ryan Dempster predicting the Cubs as World Series winners in '08.

Then came Kevin Millar:

"I'm guaranteeing a 2008 World Series. Everybody else is," Millar said while standing at this locker before today's first full-squad workout.


"I'm going on the record right now. We're going to shock the world. I don't know who Dempster is in Chicago, but if he thinks he's going to win the World Series, he has to come through us first."


Millar had one more prediction: "I'm going deep off Ryan Dempster," he said.

Dempster's Response:

"Who's Kevin Millar?" Dempster asked. "I mean, really. Know what I mean?"

"It's kind of hard to go deep off me if you're wearing one in the ribs every time up. Who's he, the cowboy-up guy, ooh, the big cowboy-up, ride that pony or whatever he does in his cowboy boots and his 1.5 Hummers? Yeah. Pretty bold prediction, huh?

"If he wants to do that, you can tell him that I welcome the challenge, It'd be fun, mano-a-mano, facing each other. We play them this year, right?"

Yes, indeed. The Orioles come to Wrigley Field for interleague play June 24-26.

"I welcome that any day of the week," Dempster said. "Hopefully, I'll be scheduled to start."

A helpful reporter even suggested the wind could be blowing out then.

"Perfect," Dempster said. "Well, he's going to need it."

It's good to see sense of humor in a game mired by steriods and Congressional Hearings at this point. I can't wait for the season to start.

As for the possible Dempster/Millar matchup in June, let's see if they're both on the team come that time first.

Millar Makes Guarantee [Baltimore Sun]
Dempster Fires Back At Millar [Daily Herald]

Alex Cintron Signs Minor League Deal With Cubs

From Cubs.com:

The Chicago Cubs and infielder Alex Cintron have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training. Cintron is expected to report to camp on Tuesday.

He's a switch hitter who hits lefties well (career .305 BA). He can play Short, Third, and Second base. Is he an insurance policy if Ryan Theriot plays poorly this season? Or is Alex Cintron taking the place of Ronny Cedeno and Cedeno is going to be shipped out in a Brian Roberts trade? Or is Mark DeRosa the everyday second baseman and Cintron takes over Mark DeRosa's role as super sub?

Any way you look at it, he definitely needs to be better than the garbage he was on the White Sox.


Cintron Signs [Cubs.com]

$1.99 Cubs Hat

A Sweet Ride & A Free Cubs Jacket!

Cubs Fans Making It Big: Ronnie Woo Woo

Ronnie Woo Woo at his finest. I'm guessing they paid Ronnie for his acting with a ham sandwich and then dropped him back off in the alley they found him in.

Aramis Ramirez A Fan of Fighting Cocks

From the Chicago Sun-Times, by the Sun-Times Staff:

Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez expressed his passion for cockfighting in a recent issue of a Dominican cockfighting magazine, according to the New York Times.

‘‘When I'm in the Dominican, I'm dedicated entirely to them,'' Ramirez reporteldy told the magazine. According to The New York Times, Ramirez is pictured in the magazine with roosters he raises for fighting.

I'm sure some PETA people will be upset with Aramis, but the thing is that this is legal in the Dominican Republic. Aramis will hear that cocks aren't supposed to be raised for fighting, that people are misusing their cocks in a way that's very harmful to the cock. Cocks have feelings too, so the cock supporters will say, and these cocks shouldn't be matched up against other cocks and forced to fight for their cock lives. Cock.

I couldn't care less. This better be the last time we see an article containing "Aramis Ramirez" and "cocks" again.


Also, the Dominican Republic has it's own cockfighting magazine?


Aramis Fighting With His Cocks [Chicago Sun-Times]

Happy New Year!

Well folks, today is the day. After four long months of having to relive the sweep at the hand of the Diamondbacks, the Cubs pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training on Wednesday. The first workouts are today, and the rest of the players report in the next few days.

Ryan Dempster already has declared that the Cubs will win the World Series, but we saw how well that worked last year when Carlos Zambrano said it. Updates will be more regular, we just hope injuries won't be apart of it.

Very Old Cubs / Burger King Commercial

I bet Bartman owned one of these.

Steriods or Not, This Is A Poke

We're getting closer to baseball...