Game 1: What A F---ing Debut!!

Forget the game itself. It was game 1. GAME 1. OUT OF ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY TWO.

The radio, newspapers, and blogs are already breaking down Lou's moves. Well, we're not going to here. It's game 1. Relax and watch this 100 times like I have because it's the only thing that matters from today's game.



Wow, I love him already. It's going to be a fun summer.

Fukudome Mania Has Arrived [Awful Announcing]

Opening Day!

The Cubs start defending their Division Championship today against the team they are likely to battle all year. The Cubs will send Carlos Zambrano to the mound against Ben Sheets, the Brewers oft-injured ace. There is rain in the area and it is expected to be around most of the day, but hopefully they can squeeze this one in somehow. Let the season begin!

(Photo from Cubs.com)

Murton and Marshall Headed to Iowa

The Cubs website is reporting the final round of roster cuts leave Matt Murton and Sean Marshall on the outside looking in at the moment.

Matt Murton and Sean Marshall are headed to Triple-A Iowa, while Carmen Pignatiello will be able to celebrate with family his first Opening Day with the team he grew up rooting for, the Cubs.

The final roster moves were made Sunday before the Cubs took the field for a workout. Murton and Marshall were optioned to the Minor League team, and Pignatiello clinched the bullpen spot as the lone lefty. Scott Eyre was officially placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 23, because of inflammation in his left elbow.

While Murton and Marshall had decent springs, and have shown that they can play at the major league level in the past, this was purely about putting the best team on the field everyday. Murton was squeezed out by his inability to play centerfield, and Marshall was unable to make a quick adjustment to being a lefty specialist.

Marshall fared decently as a reliever, but the Cubs are sending him to Iowa with the intention of starting. Unfortunately it looks like only several injuries or a trade will give him an everyday staring job at the big league level.

Opening Day Roster set (cubs.com)

Chicago Tribune Creates Unofficial Jay Mariotti Inbox

Jay Mariotti is a shock-jock type columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. It's hard to believe that he actually believes in what he's writing, but it's easier to believe he's writting solely to get a reaction.

Now, most reactions to Jay's articles are negative and the next appropriate thing to do is to blog about it or simply email Jay Mariotti about it. Well, the Chicago Sun-Times has limited it to one option, as the ability to email Jay has been taken away on the Sun-Times website.

And who are the people who bring this up or noticed it first?

Naturally, the Chicago Tribune.

As the silly newspaper war continues on, the Trib has made a makeshift message center for those who would like to comment on Jay Mariotti's writing on the Chicago Tribune website. You have to keep it to 300 characters, but you would also have to read Mariotti in order to comment on something. So why is the Trib giving Mariotti free advertising and publicity?

Whatever, I'm done trying to understand what's going and I currently don't have the time to do it. I've got a 300 character F bomb fest to write up.

Sun-Times continues with another Tribune bashing contest

The brilliant minds over at the Chicago Sun-Times have come up with another contest, this time for a free t-shirt that simply says "Keep It Wrigley." The previous video contest, which ended horribly for the Chicago Sun-times, is followed this time with a limerick contest.


It appears that the Chicago Sun-Times isn't going to quit their fight against the Tribune company. So why doesn't the Chicago Sun-Times find a way to buy rights to Wrigley Field's name and shut up already?

Pignatiello is closer to stealing spot from Marshall

Sean Marshall struggled again yesterday, walking 3 and giving up 1 run in 2 innings of work. The decision will now be made in Vegas, where the Cubs have two more games to go before the season finally starts. Carmen Pignatiello and Sean Marshall will probably get one more chance to audition for the job.

As we've said before, we would like to see Carmen Pignatiello win the job, as he's been a reliever in the Cubs minor league system. Sending Sean Marshall to Iowa to continue throwing as a starter is in the best interest of the Cubs and Sean Marshall. When Marquis begins his second half swoon or if Dempster fails or if somebody unfortunately gets hurt, Marshall will be ready to step in as a starter.

- Alfonso Soriano could bat 3rd sometime this weekend in Vegas.

- Besides having to deal with the Brian Roberts trade rumors, a problematic ticker, the flu, and a sinus infection, Mark DeRosa has also had to deal with frying his laptop and a broken windshield. Tough spring for Mark.

- The Cubs could get some teams asking for Matt Murton, if the Cubs decide to trade him instead of sticking him in Iowa. Eli's MLB Rumors and MLB Trade Rumors both run down Murtons' value and what could be expected in possible trades.

- Henry Blanco is considering a job as a coach somewhere in baseball when his career as a player is over. Hopefully he would demand that all his players grow curly mullets.

- Paul Sullivan runs down the craziness that's been Spring Training '08 for the Cubs.

- Brent Musberger will be announcing his first baseball game since 1995, and it'll be the Cubs-Brewers opener on ESPN. Unfortunately, you won't see it in Chicago, as it'll be blacked out due to the game being on WGN.

- The Cubs lead all teams in home attendance during Spring Training.

- If I were to ever face any legal trouble, Hire Jim Essian will actually need to be hired for the case. Read their email response to whack job known as CanTheCubsMendMyBrokenHeart, who claimed Hire Jim Essian broke copyright laws of some sort. As Akeem from Coming To America would say, "In the face!"

Blagojevich Making Plans For the State to Buy Wrigley Field

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is looking for a way for the State of Illinois to get a hold of Wrigley Field, because he fears the field could be torn down by the new owner. I'm not one to start political discussions but because Rod Blagojevich has been a complete mess since he's taken office, shouldn't he focus on something else? Is Blagojevich trying to get us to all forget about that little case going on right now, the Tony Rezko case? Yeah, keep talking about the Cubs, Rod.

- Blagojevich is also a fan of Mark Cuban, saying he would be good for the Cubs if he could acquire the team.

But will the potential buyers want the Cubs without Wrigley if the State of Illinois acquires it?

Mariotti Criticizing Cubs For Not Making Move He Didn't Want Made

Jay Mariotti is a goof. First he was so completely against the Cubs even pursuing Brian Roberts, a name mentioned in the Mitchell Report. Then as time worn on and the rumors continued, Mariotti claimed it would be "so Cubs" to not land him. Now today, the Cubs have kissed the National League Championship goodbye because they won't be landing Roberts, among other things. There's doing a 180, and there's doing a "Mariotti."

- As we mentioned yesterday about Matt Murton deserving a shot at starting with a ball club, the Cubs seem to agree and will explore options for Matt.

- How long do you think this "calm Carlos Zambrano" will last? 1st inning of Opening Day?

- Carmen Pignatiello pitched another scoreless frame yesterday. We're actually in agreement with BCB, thinking the Cubs should send down Marshall to keep him fresh as a starter and open the season with Pignatiello in the 'pen.

- Fukudome batting Leadoff when a lefty is on the mound? Lou is toying with the idea. The rationale behind the idea is that Fukudome has a knack for seeing a lot of pitches when a lefty is on the mound. He's also probably toying with the idea because they DON'T HAVE a leadoff hitter hint hint Jim Hendry hint hint.

- The Cubs of '08 are not that much different from the Cubs of '07, according to Lou, except for team defense in the outfield. The Cubs will be much improved out there and Felix Pie's speed alone will be a drastic improvement. Getting rid of Jacque Jones and Cliff Floyd's rickety old legs certainly helps.

- The Cubs alternate Blue Jerseys are back, after a short hiatus.

- Geovany Soto is going to be the first rookie catcher to start on Opening Day since Joe Girardi did so in 1989.

The Brian Roberts Trade Is Finally Dead

Hey hey! We all can finally shut up about Brian Roberts. The deal, according to Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy McPhail, is dead with the Cubs.

Check this out. According to the Baltimore Sun article, the Orioles wanted FIVE players. FIVE PLAYERS!!! It doesn't say whether or not Jay Payton would be thrown in with Brian Roberts, but the Cubs or anybody else attempting to get Roberts better be getting something else if they're giving up 5 players. Roberts may be a good 2nd baseman who can leadoff, but you have to remember that he's a 2nd baseman who can leadoff. It's not like you're trading for an A-Rod type of player. For 5 players, the Orioles had better be thrwoing in something else.

Somehow Ronny Cedeno Makes the Cut

Mike Fontenot and Ronny Cedeno have made the big league roster, while Alex Cintron has been told to hit the bricks. Wow, really Alex Cintron? You lost out on a roster spot to Ronny Cedeno? Go ahead and live with that the rest of your life.


I'm also hoping that Ronny Cedeno is on the ball club because he's about to get traded? He must be on the team for a reason (blackmail on Hendry? Piniella?).


So, this means that Matt Murton did not make the ball club. He'll either have to go to Des Moines or maybe the Cubs can do him a favor and trade him somewhere. Murton is a good enough hitter to at least be on somebody's roster as a bench guy. He could definitely start on some ball clubs too, he's just on the wrong ball club at this point.

Another Reason I Hate Being A Cubs Fan

Cubs fans take a lot of abuse from everybody else in the baseball world, and pity from those outside of it. It's bad enough that the Cubs can't seem to get things together just one season and win it all, but we also have unfortunate association with the eternally retarded.

This guy has gone through an unexpected breakup with his girlfriend. He's now decided to write about it, somehow tying the Cubs into his healing process. I really hope this is all some sort of joke.

If it's not a joke, I would like to find out who the girl is, make a sex tape with her, and then mail copies to this guy once a week, all because this guy has embarassed Cubs fans. It only seems fair to do that to him after what he's currently doing to us.

UPDATE (3/26): The author of the website mentioned above has taken everything down. Plan to make videos has been aborted.

Reed Johnson Signs With Cubs

Reed Johnson, a player that the Toronto Blue Jays do not want, has been signed by the Cubs. He'll be the backup for Felix Pie, become a fan favorite because everyone will want to see Felix Pie gone when he shows off that enormous hole in his swing, and then promptly show why he was not wanted by the Toronto Blue Jays. It's a safe backup plan though, I must admit.


- Oh No! Les Walrond was sent to minor league camp, hopefully to work as a janitor. Sam Fuld and Eric Patterson were sent to Iowa.

- Scott Eyre doesn't need season ending surgery, as of right now.

- The Felix Pie apologists are out in full force. Basing things off of spring training numbers? Shame on you. Show me during the season that he's made a real attempt of cutting down his swing and then I'll believe you. Otherwise, calm down the unwarranted Felix Pie hype.

- Trying to figure out who this year's "Jacque Jones" will be? Mike Downey of the Trib seems to think it's Jason Marquis. Can't disagree with him at this point. Don't forget about Ryan Dempster though.

- Jay Mariotti thinks you should get a life if you think the Cubs are winning the World Series this year.

Felipe Lopez?

From The Washington Times:

Second baseman Felipe Lopez said last week he would not accept a role on the bench, and the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs are among the teams who have expressed interest in acquiring the 2005 All-Star.

Felipe Lopez was an all-star in 2005 and won the Silver Slugger award as the best hitting shortstop in '05. Lopez is, in fact, a shortstop by trade.


Lopez would probably come over here as a super sub that can play 2B, Ss, and 3B. However, he's already griping in Washington about being a sub and I wouldn't expect the crying to stop even if he changed scenery. He could be a backup for Ryan Theriot, plus an insurance policy if Theriot doesn't play well.


Cubs Looking at Lopez? [The Washington Times]

FoxSports: Cubs Possibly Pursuing Reed Johnson

From FoxSports:

The Cubs are showing the heaviest interest in outfielder Reed Johnson,
envisioning him as the right-handed-hitting counterpart to center fielder Felix Pie, major-league sources say.

Reed Johnson is a right handed hitting outfielder, who hasn't played much in center. Johnson has played just under 10% of his outfield appearances in center.

Rosenthal writes that the Cubs would like to limit the number of at-bats for Pie against left handed pitching.


It could be beneficial for the Cubs to go after the Blue Jay reject instead of having to trade players to get a Red Sox reject in Coco Crisp to play center. Reed Johnson is a career .308 hitter against left handed pitching. Seems to make sense to make this move.


Are there other options for center field right now?

Cubs Pursuing Reed Johnson? [FoxSports]

It's Possible The Cubs Take the Field to SMASHMOUTH on Opening Day

Cubs.com has caught tournament fever and have created their own in which the fans will vote on the song that the Cubs take the field to on Opening Day. The list of songs is sad.

• Semisonic - "This Will Be My Year" [ Len Kasper & Bob Brenly suggestion ]
• Thin Lizzy - "The Boys Are Back in Town [97.1 - The Drive's suggestion]
• Kanye West - "Stronger" [103.5 Kiss FM's suggestion]
• Saliva - "Ladies & Gentlemen" [Q101's suggestion]
• Phoenix Phenom - "Boom Dynamite" [92.3's suggestion]
• Van Halen - "Jump" [2007 Opening Day song]
• Bon Jovi - "I Love This Town" [93.9's suggestion]
• Smashmouth - "All Star" [105.9's suggestion]
• U2 - "Beautiful Day" [93.1's suggestion]
• BTO - "Takin' Care of Business" [94.7's suggestion]
• Kayne West - "Good Life" [96.3's suggestion]
• Daddy Yankee - "Rompe' [103.1's suggestion]
• John Fogerty - "Centerfield" [720AM's suggestion]
• Kenny Chesney - "Summertime" [99.5's suggestion]
• Tom Petty - "Running Down A Dream" [97.9's suggestion]
• Jimmy Buffett - "Margaritaville" [Pat Hughes & Ron Santo suggestion]

That's just an awful list of songs right there. If Bon Jovi wins, I'll never watch the Cubs again.

Out of Right Field would prefer anything by Queens of the Stone Age.

What are your suggestions?

Pick A Shitty Song [Cubs.com]

Marquis & Dempster in the Rotation

From Hardball:

Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis survived the three-way pitching duel to become Cubs starters, while Kerry Wood was officially named closer on Monday. Dempster will pitch in the No. 3 spot. Marquis will become the fifth starter. Jon Lieber is headed to the bullpen.

"Dempster has worked hard, and he's thrown the ball well here," manager Lou Piniella said. "We told him we'd give him every opportunity to start this spring, and we did just that.

Interesting. Do you think Marquis is really the starter, or is the Cubs organization dressing up Marquis's value in order to make a trade?


Is Jon Leiber, who came here to start and has said all the right things so far about going to the bullpen if necessary, going to do a 180 and gripe about this like Jason Marquis did earlier this Spring?


How long until Ryan Dempster gets booed during a start this season? His first start?


Marquis, Dempster In; Lieber Out [Hardball]

Yeah, So About Kerry Wood Being The Closer....

From Hardball:

Wood was suffering from lower back spasms on Wednesday and was being treated by Cubs trainers at HoHoKam Park. He was scratched from Wednesday's game, which was planned to be the first of back-to-back outings for Wood.

"Look, he's been throwing the ball well all spring," manager Lou Piniella said before announcing the back problem.

"Look, we do have one setback with Kerry today -- his back is really, really stiff and he's not going to be able to pitch today," he said. "It has nothing to do with his shoulder, or elbow, it's just with his back. He went to see a doctor, and hopefully we'll get him out there (Thursday) or the next day.

"It's just a little bit of a setback, but nothing, nothing serious. Just a minor thing that he goes through every spring."

Hopefully it's nothing and not a recurring problem later on in the season. Whether he's the closer or not isn't important, but whether he's healthy or not is.

Wood Scratched from Appearance [ Hardball ]

Cubs Players Play Good Trick on Coach I've Never Heard Of

From Hardball:

"Hey Bussy, what's your car doing on the ramp?" Ramirez asked, pointing to a wrecked '95 Nissan sitting on a ramp near the Cubs bullpen.

Buss looked over at the wreck and replied: "That's not my car."

But then Buss did a double-take.

"Dude," he said to Ramirez. "That's my car!"

Buss, who had just driven the car to work, soon discovered that it had been demolished beyond recognition by some unknown perpetrators and brought to the ramp for him to see. He was aware that the pitchers liked to pull pranks, like a couple years ago in Mesa when they stole Will Ohman's tires and left his car on cinder blocks. But this was no ordinary prank. The car windows had all been smashed in, the front, back and sides were all severely dented, and the smoking guns -- a couple baseball bats and balls -- were strategically placed in the windshield in case Buss wanted to get some fingerprints for the Mesa Police.

But it didn't take a CSI team to figure out the perpetrators. Buss figured it was the "usual suspects" all along.

"I figured (Jon) Lieber, (Kerry) Wood immediately, (Ryan) Dempster," he said. "Then I realized it was every pitcher we have."

The Cubs players went on about their business and continued the workout while Buss silently fumed and wondered how he was going to tell his wife, who was the owner of the car.

"It's a shame," Lieber said with a straight face. "What kind of person would do something like that? It really just shocks me. I'm sure she'll understand."

After the workout ended, Buss was talking about the incident to reporters in the Cubs clubhouse when Dempster told him to "quit pouting" and come with him to the weight room to "see something." From there, Buss and several pitchers walked out a back door and found a 2008 Nissan Xterra parked in the walkway.

The prank was complete. Buss was presented with a new SUV valued at around $25,000. While he sat in the driver's seat in a daze, Carlos Zambrano got in on the passenger's side and cranked the stereo, bobbing his head to the music.

What song do you think Carlos Zambrano had blasting? Were you thinking something by Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine too?

Cubs Have Fun With Tim Buss [Hardball]

Mayor Daley Doesn't See The State Buying Wrigley Field

Mayor Richard Daley on Monday voiced doubt once again that the General Assembly will agree to a state purchase of Wrigley Field.

"You talk to anybody dealing with schools, you talk to anyone dealing with the problem of gun violence in society," Daley said. "These are priorities. And I don’t think (a Wrigley sale) is one of the priorities in Springfield."

Interesting just to see other high named officials speak on this subject. Mayor Daley, according the article, has the power as Chicago's mayor to squash this sale, even if it passes state legislation.


Daley Doubtful About Sale to State [ Clout Street - Chicago Tribune ]

No Surprise: Cubs Have Highest Attendance at Home, Road in Spring Training

The Cubs have drawn 106,565 to HoHoKam Park, which leads the majors. They also have drawn more than any team on the road.

This really isn't news, but a showing of things to come. With the high expectations the Cubs have this season, Wrigley and Wrigleyville will be rocking this season, even more than usual. For the sake of the Cubs, I'm hoping for a fast start to keep the early boo birds away like last season.

Although with Jacque Jones gone, who will we boo? I'm sure we'll find somebody.

Cubs Outdrawing Everybody this Spring [ Chicago Tribune ]

Fukudome Will Get Playing Time in Center Field This Week

Kosuke Fukudome, signed as a right fielder, will get some time in center this week. "We don't have a backup center fielder," Piniella said, "so if somebody gets hurt or we double-switch, we've got to get him a little work in center field.

So this obviously means the loser of the Pie vs. Fuld battle for CF will be heading to Iowa when camp breaks. This also means that Ronny Cedeno, who played CF over the winter to increase his value to the Cubs, is on his way to Iowa as well. It's probably time for the Cubs to realize Cedeno has absolutely no value and find a way to get rid of him.

Fukudome To Try Center Field This Week

[ Chicago Tribune ]

Closer Decision Coming This Week, Most Likely Kerry Wood

Kerry Wood has all but locked it up now. This week, he'll go back to back and if this Spring Training has been any indication, Wood will be named team Closer. Wood has been dominant.

"He's making [the decision] easier, not tougher," manager Lou Piniella said. "He's been throwing strikes, going after hitters, his velocity has been good and he's mixing in some nice sliders. We just want to see him [on back-to-back] days.

"That final test comes this week, and it might be a challenge for a pitcher with four seasons of shoulder problems and one elbow operation in his past. But Wood doesn't seem worried.

"It's important to see if I can go out and do it," he said. "For me, it's just another day to come in and get ready to go. I don't see a problem with it."

Closer To Be Named This Week [ Chicago Tribune ]

Unoriginal Furniture Store CEO Comes Up With Unoriginal Promotion

From CBS 2 Chicago:

Every bit of furniture at SuitePlay's four locations purchased between now and April 14 will be completely refunded, except for sales tax, if the Cubs win the World Series.


"I think their chances are much better than they were last year," Weber said.


So what are the Cubs' odds this year? Some Web sites have them listed at 14 to 1, others at 9 to 2. Any way you look at it those are pretty good odds for the Cubs.


This is all based on a Boston promotion last year where 30,000 families scored free furniture after the Red Sox's World Series victory.


SuitePlay has paid more than $100,000 for an insurance policy totaling more than $1 million, so owner and Cubs fan Weber says the publicity is now worth taking the chance.

What a shame. This type of promotion has been beaten into the ground. Here's to hoping they get screwed on this deal somehow. Because let's face it... they deserve it.

Store Offers Full Refunds If Cubs Win World Series [ CBS 2 Chicago ]

Wood Closer to Being Closer

From Cubs.com:

The only question regarding whether Kerry Wood can handle the closer duties is if he's durable enough. But Lou Piniella acknowledged Saturday that the setup pitchers usually have a tougher workload, which means the Cubs may be leaning toward giving the ninth-inning job to Wood.

"I've said a couple things -- one about durability, and two, we're trying to find one more arm who can pitch late in the ballgame, and I think I've found it in [Kevin] Hart," Piniella said. "The closer spot is a very important spot in the bullpen but I think the biggest thing with the closer's spot is having good stuff, having the confidence you can do it, and being able to bounce back from adversity at times."

...This coming week, expect to see them each pitch in consecutive games. Then, Piniella says, he'll be ready to announce his closer.

"We'll have something to say about the closer's spot here after the pitchers go back-to-back," he said.

I still think that Carlos Marmol is the way to go as the team's closer. Kerry Wood is too much of a wild card for me. The role he had at the end of last season was perfect for Wood. Until I see otherwise, I think it's a mistake.

Wood Leading Candidate for Closer [ Cubs.com ]

Wrigley Field Blues

I was looking through the videos in the Chicago Sun-Times contest and as usual, Cubs fans are downright embarrassing. I'm voting for the one above. It's the least embarrassing of the bunch.

Alex Cintron Hit in Face With Foul Ball

From Cubs.com:

Cubs infielder Alex Cintron was taken to a local hospital for X-rays after he was hit in the face by a foul ball while standing in the on-deck circle Friday in a Cactus League contest against the Angels.

Mark DeRosa led off the Chicago sixth and fouled the third pitch back toward the on-deck circle, where Cintron was standing. The ball struck him on the right side of his face, below his cheekbone, and he fell to the ground. Cubs athletic trainer Mark O'Neal came out to treat Cintron, who was able to walk off the field.

"It was scary," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "He got lucky that it wasn't under the cheek bone under the eye."

Cintron was being treated for swelling, and his status was day-to-day.

Hopefully Cintron is ok. You never like to see a player get hurt. Unless it's Ronny Cedeno. I would be ok with that. Should have been you, Ronny.

Cintron Hit, Will Be OK [ Cubs.com ]

Alfonso Soriano is a Bad Liar

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

''When I was batting leadoff, I was trying to get on base and try to steal some bases. Batting second, it's more hitting and not worrying about running too much. Batting second, I can pick up some more RBI and score some runs. I can help the team more.''

--Alfonso Soriano, on his first day in manager Lou Piniella's revamped lineup, which dropped him from leadoff to the No. 2 spot.

Really? Since when? Since when is swinging for a homer on every single pitch "trying to get on base and try to steal some bases?" Don't get me wrong, I like Soriano and I enjoy watching him play for the Cubs. But this is just crazy talk coming out of Soriano.

Cubs Recap [ Chicago Sun-Times ]

And The Brian Roberts Rumors Continue

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Sources confirmed Thursday that the Cubs have a four-player offer for Roberts on the table that includes the addition of hard-throwing pitching prospect Jose Ceda. Infielder Ronny Cedeno and pitchers Sean Gallagher and Donnie Veal also are in the package.

The Cubs and Baltimore Orioles talked again during the past week, and insiders in both camps have expressed strong feelings that a deal will get done for the All-Star second baseman. However, they consider it likely to take an 11th-hour agreement before the openers on March 31.

It's also possible the deal could grow to include pitcher Jason Marquis going to Baltimore and outfielder Jay Payton coming to the Cubs in a 5-for-2 or 6-for-2 trade that likely would include cash.

Happen or die already. The NL is still weak enough that the Cubs could make a serious run at a World Series appearance. Act to win now. Complete the trade already.

More Roberts Rumors [Chicago Sun-Times]

You Can Do Better Than That, Ozzie Guillen

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Though it remains a long-shot prospect, the idea of the Cubs playing all or part of a season's worth of ''home'' games on the South Side during major renovations at Wrigley Field has touched a nerve with White Sox fans.

How does Sox manager/Cubs critic Ozzie Guillen feel about the idea?

''I don't mind,'' Guillen said Wednesday. ''If that's going to help baseball, I'm up for doing it. I don't know how the Cubs fans are going to feel about going to a real ballpark. Finally, Cubs fans are going to see a real ballpark.''

More diarrhea of the mouth from Ozzie:

''It is a different attitude,'' he said. ''You go to Wrigley Field, day games, there's a lot of stuff around to do at the ballpark. When you go to U.S. Cellular Field, you're going to watch a baseball game. You watch the game and be at the park. It's a different way.''

These are some of the lame lines Cubs fans have heard from Sox fans for years. I could write how the Sox never sell out their park, but I won't. I could talk about crime infested cesspool known as the Southside, but I won't. I could simply bring up "Mullet Night," but I won't. You can go ahead and keep assuming the Sox have "better fans" in your "17 year Work in Progress" stadium. That seems to make Sox fans feel better about themselves.

But if you want to talk about real baseball, it belongs on the Northside. Just like it did last year.

Are you losing it, Ozzie? You've done a much better job of taking shots at Cubs fans for years. Now you're resorting to the same crap Sox fans say? Shame on you, Ozzie. You're better than that.

Ozzie No Longer Clever [ Chicago Sun- Times]

It's About Time: Soriano Taken Out of Leadoff Slot

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Cubs manager Lou Piniella’s surprise in Surprise today turned out to be a lineup shuffle that won’t be employed until at least Thursday, but which could wind up including the biggest lineup move he’s made since he took over the team last spring.

Piniella said he plans to move Alfonso Soriano out of the leadoff spot and bat him second, with Ryan Theriot leading off. If it looks good in
camp, that could be the order he settles on for the regular season, he said before today’s game against the Texas Rangers.

That is, until/unless the Cubs make the much anticipated trade with Baltimore for leadoff hitter Brian Roberts, in which case Soriano might stay in the 2 hole or even move closer to the middle.

``This gives us a sneak preview,’’ Piniella said.

Until then, he said, ``We’re just going to look at it. That’s what spring training is for.’’

There really is no ideal spot for Alfonso Soriano, given the fact that he swings at every pitch that's thrown. If Ryan Theriot could get on base with consistency, he could easily steal 100 bases this season. Why?

Because Alfonso Soriano can't hit a curveball. I know it. You know it. He knows it. The entire league knows it. If a pitcher throws 3 straight hammers, Soriano is whiffing on 3 straight pitches. The breaking ball, however, would allow Theriot (or Pie, Fuld, or possibly a Brian Roberts) to run all day on opposing pitchers. The only way to stop that if you're the opposing team is to throw fastballs. And Soriano crushes fastballs.

Here's to hoping the move out of the leadoff spot is permanent.

Soriano No Longer Leadoff [ Chicago Sun-Times ]

Pie to Let Surgeon Operate on Junk

Felix Pie will miss 3-5 days according to Cubs.com to correct soreness in his testicle.

The Cubs announced Monday that outfielder Felix Pie will undergo a procedure to correct testicular torsion and will be sidelined three to five days. Pie has been bothered by this all spring, and the Cubs had hoped to delay the outpatient surgery so they could use the off-day on March 17 as one of the days to heal.

However, Pie, 23, reported to the Cubs' facility on Monday with considerable soreness. If not corrected, he could risk losing the testicle.

I was hopeful that Sam Fuld would be the everyday centerfielder, but never did I wish he would get his chance this way. Felix, we wish you and your junk a speedy recovery.

Felix Pie out 3-5 days (cubs.com)

Lou Piniella is Sick of Losing

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

'I don't like the idea of our pitching staff getting hit around, whether it's spring training or playing tiddlywinks,'' manager Lou Piniella said. ''I mean, we're giving up seven runs a game down here, and we've got to get better at that.''


...''Carlos Zambrano and Rich Hill pitched well; that was the positive of the day,'' he said. ''The rest of it, I'm getting tired of losing ballgames, even in spring training.''


...''You look at all the good arms that we had when we started throwing,'' Piniella said. ''I guess I'm naive in a way. I've been doing this for a long time, but, boy, I start seeing these guys throw on the side, and you say, 'My gosh, what a nice collection of arms.' And all of a sudden the games start, and they start stepping on their toes.''

And these aren't meaningless games, Piniella stressed.

''They don't count in the standings, but they're important because you can formulate ideas on some of these pitchers,'' he said, referring to later decisions on recalling players from the minors. ''But, boy, they leave a bad impression here. I mean, it hurts them.''

I don't think Lou Piniella has played TiddlyWinks before, or maybe I don't know how it's played. Lou talks about the pitchers getting hit, whether it's on the mound or playing TiddlyWinks. You can hit people when you play TiddlyWinks? I used to play with my Grandma when I was 5, but I thought she only hit me because she was drunk. Now I'll have to reaccess with my therapist some more.

Lou Doesn't Know Board Games [Chicago Sun-Times]

Newspaper War Continues: Chicago Sun-Times Now Using the Elderly to Fight the Tribune

From the Chicago Sun-Times, by Stefano Esposito:

Watching the slow movements of his milky, pale blue eyes, it's hard to tell whether Sture Johnson is reliving some remembered glory at Wrigley Field. But it's clear, as he sits propped up in his Naperville nursing home bed, that he's completely absorbed.

At 99, Johnson has a hard time summoning some long-buried memories. But he's certain about this: He doesn't want Cubs owner Sam Zell to sell the Wrigley Field name to the highest bidder.

"I don't like the idea," Johnson says during a bedside chat this week. "It's been Wrigley all these years. Why change it? It would be a terrible mistake."

And that's all Johnson is saying on that subject.

Well, I'm certainly glad that Sture Johnson has finally given all of us his opinion. The Tribune is going to have to really think long and hard now about selling the rights. I mean if Sture Johnson says no, how can the Trib say yes?

And this is pretty low, Sun-Times. Combing the nursing homes for a story? Sture was probably just happy to see he had a visitor. It's not like his damn grandkids make a visit to see him. Damn kids.


Sun-Times Visits Nursing Homes [Chicago Sun-Times]

Family Puts Wrigley the Dog's Naming Rights on EBAY

From the Chicago Tribune:

A Chicago family that lives near Wrigley Field has put up for auction on eBay the naming rights to its beloved family yellow lab, Wrigley, asking $1,000 as an opening bid (about the amount it costs to take our family of four to a game at the real Wrigley, writes the seller). The seller says "Pepsi" or "Torco" would be a great name but would settle for something like "Oppenheimer Funds" if the price was right.

I think some sort of animal control authority should just step in and take this dog away from these idiots. Poor dog.

Joke? Yes.
Funny? No.
Clever? Not even close.

Dog Owners Try Joke, Fail [Chicago Tribune]

Not News: Cubs Fans Like to Watch The Cubs on TV

From the Chicago Tribune, by Teddy Greenstein:

The result of Saturday's Cubs-Angels exhibition game hardly mattered.


But what the game resulted in was nonetheless remarkable. More Chicagoans tuned in to Comcast SportsNet's coverage of the game than anything else on TV.


From 2-4:30 p.m., the game drew a 2.0 rating, a CSN spring-training record that represents nearly 70,000 Chicago households.

Is it because the Cubs fans are excited for the season to begin? Is it because Cubs fans wanted to see Kosuke Fukudome play? (He didn't; actually almost every starter didn't play at all) Or is it because the Chicago Bulls suck and everybody has moved on from basketball?

I'll go with all of the above.

Cubs Setting Ratings Records on CSN Already [Chicago Tribune]

Not News: Soriano Out Longer Than "Expected" With Broken Finger

From the Chicago Tribune by Paul Sullivan:

Alfonso Soriano's return from a broken middle finger on his right hand will take longer than originally announced. He now is expected to miss at least one week, perhaps two.


"I anticipated a real easy spring training here with the Cubs," manager Lou Piniella said. "Is there such a thing as an easy Cubs spring training?"


The Cubs said Sunday that Soriano would miss three to five days after suffering a non-displaced fracture of the tip of his finger while trying to make a catch during fielding drills, but Piniella said Soriano's finger was still swollen Monday.

I'm pretty sure nobody on this earth thought that Alfonso Soriano would be back in 3-5 days for a broken finger. It is, after all, a BROKEN FINGER. Hands are a hitter's everything. It's March. There's no point in rushing him.

He's going to swing at everything when he gets back anyways.

Not So Fast, Soriano [Chicago Tribune]

Pie's Twisted Testicle

So since Saturday, when Cubs.com posted an article about the Cubs' recent rash of injuries, I've been waiting for an explanation.

The Cubs have had a variety of injuries this spring. So far, infielder Mark DeRosa was hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat, pitcher Jose Ascanio had a bruised face after getting punched in a robbery attempt, and outfielder Felix Pie missed a couple of days early because of a twisted testicle. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez remains sidelined with a sore right shoulder.

Ouch. A twisted testicle. I don't really know what that even means, but I'm hurting just thinking about it. This story, however, never made it anywhere. It's not like I want pictures or something. Did Pie cry when it happened? How does this happen to a person? Did Pie get caught on something? I would simply like to know, how the fuck is Pie still walking after suffering a twisted testicle? Is Lou resorting to extreme measures to get Pie to shorten his swing?

Give us more info. Give us a followup, Carrie Muskat.

Pie Suffered Twisted Testicle [Cubs.com]

Dusty Baker Getting Some Old Cubs

From the Cincinnati Enquirer, by John Fay:

The Reds have signed Corey Patterson and Jerry Hairston Jr. to minor-league deals.

"Patterson will come in and compete for the center field job," Reds GM Wayne Krivsky said. "Hairston is another versatile guy that can play infield/outfield. Patterson is 28 and Hairston is 31. They've got some experience, but we gave them no guarantees. They'll come in and compete."

I love it. Next the Reds will sign Neifi Perez, Tom Goodwin, Troy O'Leary, Doug Glanville, Jose Macias, and Ramon Martinez. All of "Dusty's Guys." Cincinnati, you think Dusty is going to allow Jay Bruce to play this season at the Major League level? Get real. Dusty is and always will be a "veteran's guy." Get ready for a lot of Jerry Hairston.

Former Cubs Trying Out for Dusty [Cincinnati Enquirer]

Newspaper War Continues: Tribune Says Name Change No Big Deal Among Players

From the Chicago Tribune, by Paul Sullivan:

While fans argue about Tribune Co. Chairman Sam Zell's proposal to sell the naming rights for Wrigley Field, the people who actually call the ballpark home are monitoring the situation with varying degrees of interest.


Most Cubs asked about the controversy said they understood Zell's position, though few actually cared whether the name stays or not.

The Tribune company is now using the players to further their case against the attack of the Chicago Sun-Times. In this weird battle of the dying newspaper industry, the Chicago Tribune is doing whatever they can to spin positive news for them on the name change of the park. The Tribune has yet to publish an article on the poor reaction of the fans to the name change. The players, most likely under the influence of their bosses (Tribune Co. / Sam Zell) either remain neutral or don't care.

We ask, why pit the players against the fans, Chicago Tribune?

Cubs React To Possible Renaming of Wrigley [Chicago Tribune]