The Chicago Cubs granted free agency to former 2007 first round draft pick (3rd overall) Josh Vitters. Vitters is yet another casualty of the woeful Jim Hendry regime. Vitters' final numbers as a Cub were BA .121 2 HR 5 RBI.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Cubs Sign Reliever Jason Motte To One Year Deal!
The Chicago Cubs have signed former St. Louis Cardinals' closer to a one year 4.5 M contract for the 2015 season. Motte has been sidelined with injuries of late but could be an excellent signing for the Cubs if he remains healthy.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Cubs Ultimate Trivia Book On Sale NOW at Amazon & Barnes And Noble!
My recent Cubs' trivia book 200 Cub trivia questions!
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Brett Jackson Just One More Jim Hendry Draft Casulaty
If case you didn't hear former Cubs' 2009 first round draft pick Brett Jackson was quietly shipped to Arizona this summer for a minor league pitcher. Jackson now joins the ranks for Mark Pawelek, Hayden Simpson, Ryan Harvey, Vosh Vitters with the rest of former GM Jim Hendry's first round busts. Let's hope Javier Baez doesn't join them!
Renteria Gets Raw Deal From Cubs
I certainly had a few problems with former Cub manager Rick Renteria early in the 2014 season but in the end I would say he did a pretty reasonable job, especially after all the trading activity. Renteria did nothing at all to warrant being fired. I think it was a real disgrace the way he was treated by Cub management and I hope he surfaces with another team.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Vitters/Jackson Latest Cub First Round Busts
Cubs' 2007 First Round (#3 overall) bust Josh Vitters appears to be the next Tyler Colvin. He looks to be future Rule 5 material along with first bust Brett Jackson. They join other Jim Hendry/Tim Wilkin busts Ryan Harvey, Mark Pawelek, Bobby Brownlie, Grant Johnson, and Hayden Simpson in baseball oblivion!
Cubs Lose In Brutal Fashion To Arizona 9-3 Saturday Nightt
At least Renteria only used three pitchers and not his usual nine!
Edwin Jackson Just Plain Sucks!
(Action photo of Edwin Jackson ordering a pizza from White Sox dugout)
So far signing career LOSER Edwin Jackson has been the only real misstep of the Theo Epstein regime in Chicago. Players like Jackson are difficult to watch. He is obviously mailing it in (or should I say texting it in.) There is a reason Jackson is on his 8th team and has a career losing record, HE IS A LOSER! They need to rid themselves of players like Jackson so he doesn't poison the minds of their young prospects. I would take a bag of broken bats right now for this absolute bum! (Hey Edwin don't forget to ask for extra cheese on that pie!)
Cubs' First Round Pick Schwarber Rockets Through System
Cubs 2014 first round draft pick Kyle Schwarber from Indiana is blasting through the Cubs' minor league system this summer. Schwarber started 2014 at short season Boise and promptly took apart Northwest League pitchers (.600-4-10) in 5 games. He was then promoted to Low Class A Kane County of the Midwest League and continued to hit (.361-4-15) in 23 games. Schwarber was recently promoted to High A Daytona of the Florida State League and is already homered in just 3 games (.364-1-1.) Schwarber's overall numbers are (.404 9 HR 26 RBI, 9 2B, 1 3B and 17 walks in just 31 professional games. It looks like the Cubs have another potential impact bat on their hands.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Cubs Need To Bring Back Mid 60's Road Jerseys For Keeps NOW!
For years I have been writing the Cubs to bring back the mid 60's road jerseys they wore in Philadelphia Friday night. Let's face it, the Cubs' current road jerseys are DULL DULL DULL. Those great mid 60's jerseys need to come back to stay! They are awesome! Please contact the Cubs and demand these uniforms come back full time!
Cubs Nip Phillies 2-1 Behind Arrieta And Castro Friday Night In Philadelphia
Friday, June 13, 2014
Chicago Cubs (27-38) 2 @
Philadelphia (28-37) 1
WP-Cubs: Jake Arrieta (2-1), Save-Neil Ramirez (2)
LP-Philadelphia: Roberto Hernandez (2-5)
HR-Cubs: Starlin Castro (9)
Cubs Record (27-38)
Fifth Place (NL Central 11.5 GB Milwaukee)
Friday, June 13, 2014
Kris Bryant Watch at AA Tennessee
BA .359
HR 22
RBI 56
2B 19
Hits 85
Walks 40
THIS SITE IS SABR METRICS FREE!
Cubs Open Weekend Set Tonight In Philadelphia
Game on Friday night at Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia 7:05 EST
Renteria Continues Bizarre Managing Choices On Thursday!
Rick Renteria is on his way to being the worst Cub manager since El Tappe and the College Of Coaches. Genius Rick started three hitters hitting under .200 on the season and guess what? (THE CUBS WERE SHUT OUT!) This guy is from the Twilight Zone!
Cubs Drop Series Finale In Pittsburgh 4-0 In Rainy Mess!
CUBS (26-38) 0
@ Pittsburgh (32-34) 4
WP-Pittsburgh:-Volquez (4-5)
LP-CUBS: Samardzija (2-6)
Thursday, June 12, 2014
The Outcasts-I'm In Pittsburgh (And It's Raining) 1966
Cubs in 7th inning rain delay with Pirates in Pittsburgh, trailing 4-0
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Cubs Select Catcher Kyle Schwarber With Pick #4 in MLB Draft
Schwarber is a catcher/outfielder from Indiana. He was rated between 16-18 on most boards. So let's hope this in not another blown pick like Tyler Colvin. He is supposed to have an advanced bat.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Cubs Pick 4th In Today's MLB Draft!
The Chicago Cubs will pick 4th in the MLB Amateur Draft Tonight! (The Cubs also have pick #45 in round 2, #78 in round 3) Look for the Cubs to heavy after starting pitching!
Kris Bryant Watch (6-4-14)
Cubs' third base prospect Kris Bryant continues to tear up AA pitching at Tennessee of the Southern League. Here are Bryant's numbers through 57 games:
BA (.353)
Home Runs (19)
RBI (51)
2B (15)
Hits (73)
Runs (50)
Walks (36)
SB (7)
Cubs Take Second Straight From Mets 5-4 on Wednesday Night!
6-4-14 at Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Chicago Cubs (22-34) 5
New York Mets (28-31) 4
WP-Cubs: Edwin Jackson (4-5), Save-Hector Rondon (7)
LP-New York: Dana Eveland (0-1), HR-Ruben Tejada (2)
Chicago Cubs 1969 Almanac Available NOW on Amazon!
A game by game account of the 1969 Chicago Cubs from someone who lived through it! Available now on Amazon!
Monday, May 26, 2014
Chicago Cubs Almanac Is A 100% SABR-Metrics Free Site
That's right, no OPS, OPS+, WAR, WARP, or any of that other mind bending bullshit!
Kris Bryant Tearing It Up At AA Tennessee
Cubs' 2013 #1 Draft pick Kris Bryant is destroying AA pitching at Tennessee. Bryant his hitting .339 with 12 HR and 42 RBI'S IN 47 games!
Lake & Castro Homer In Vain In Cubs 4-3 Loss At San Diego Sunday
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Chicago Cubs (18-30) 3
@ San Diego Padres (23-28) 4
WP-SD: Ian Kennedy (3-6), Save-Street (14)
LP-Cubs: Jason Hammel (5-3)
HR-Cubs: Lake (6), Castro (7)
Friday, May 2, 2014
Cubs KO Waino And .500 Cardinals 6-5 Friday Afternoon!
Chicago Cubs 6
St. Louis Cardinals 5
WP-Cubs: Wood (2-3), Save-Rondon (2)
LP-St. Louis Wainwright (5-2)
HR-Cubs: Rizzo (5)
Cubs record (10-17)
Simpson, Jackson, Vitters Join Cast Of Jim Hendry First Round Busts!
One of the chief reasons the Cubs are in the rough shape these days is the woeful drafts under Jim Hendry. 2010 first round bust Hayden Simpson was last seen in 2013 with an ERA of 15.95 with Southern Illinois of the Frontier League. Simpson was supposed to be a hidden gem that was found by the truly overrated scout Tim Wilken.
2007 first rounder (third pick overall) Josh Vitters and 2009 first rounder Brett Jackson are both barely hanging on in AAA Iowa (both will most likely never play for the Cubs again.) The duo join other Hendry first round busts Mark Pawelek, Bobby Brownlie, Ryan Harvey, Grant Johnson (2nd round) and that other Tim Wilken diamond in the rough Tyler Colvin.
Forget all that Billy Goat nonsense, look no further than bad management for the Cubs futility over the years!
Big WINNER Garza Gets His Ass Kicked Again!
In case you missed it, future Hall Of Fame pitcher Matt Garza got his ass kicked again the other day, which landed the BIG WINNER on the DL again (just like in Chicago!) Garza is now 1-3 with 5.00 ERA in Milwaukee. Perhaps the BIG WINNER Garza is trying to pitch his way out of Milwaukee!
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Cubs Lose to Reds 3-2 in Rainy Cincinnati Tuesday Night
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Cincinnati Reds 3
Chicago Cubs 2
WP-Reds: Simon (4-1), Save-Broxton (5)
LP-Cubs: Samardzija (0-3)
HR-Reds: Hamilton (1)
Cubs record (8-17)
Renteria Not Impressive In The Early Going!
I know it's early but from where I sit it looks pretty clear that Rick Renteria is NOT the man who is going to take the Cubs to the next level. Renteria often looks like a deer in the headlights. He looks about as comfortable managing as Jose Veras looked on the mound in the ninth inning!
Renteria is constantly changing lineups and seems insistent on playing fourth outfielders like Ryan Kalish and Ryan Sweeney (players who are going exactly nowhere!) Renteria should have Mike Olt and Junior Lake in the lineup every day. Both players have had obvious struggles in 2014 but yanking them in and out of the lineup is counter productive. I can live with the Cubs losing games with young players but not with AAA retreads like Ryan Sweeney! We saw this shit last year with Dale Sveum.
I don't have anything good to say about Rick Renteria. He looks like the second coming of Mike Quade. My prediction is he will not make it through the 2015 season. Then what?
Renteria is constantly changing lineups and seems insistent on playing fourth outfielders like Ryan Kalish and Ryan Sweeney (players who are going exactly nowhere!) Renteria should have Mike Olt and Junior Lake in the lineup every day. Both players have had obvious struggles in 2014 but yanking them in and out of the lineup is counter productive. I can live with the Cubs losing games with young players but not with AAA retreads like Ryan Sweeney! We saw this shit last year with Dale Sveum.
I don't have anything good to say about Rick Renteria. He looks like the second coming of Mike Quade. My prediction is he will not make it through the 2015 season. Then what?
Matt Garza Should Keep His Big Mouth Shut!
Maybe you caught Matt Garza ripping the Cubs left, right and center this weekend following the Cubs' series in Milwaukee. Garza should really keep his big trap shut as all he did as a Cub was sit on his losing ass on the disabled list. The guy should learn how to field a ground ball once in awhile.
The Cubs were lucky enough to get some useful prospects for his dead ass. Garza bombed in Texas and then wondered why nobody except the Brewers (who were desperate for pitching) even bothered to look at him on the free agent market. Let's face it, Garza is a hot head who is now on his fourth team (if he was so great why does he keep getting moved?)
If the Brewers do manage to win the division this year, you can bet Garza won't be around for it. He'll either be traded or be on the DL (or will perhaps be fighting with his teammates like he did in Tampa.) Keep your mouth shut Garza, you haven't won anything yet!
The Cubs were lucky enough to get some useful prospects for his dead ass. Garza bombed in Texas and then wondered why nobody except the Brewers (who were desperate for pitching) even bothered to look at him on the free agent market. Let's face it, Garza is a hot head who is now on his fourth team (if he was so great why does he keep getting moved?)
If the Brewers do manage to win the division this year, you can bet Garza won't be around for it. He'll either be traded or be on the DL (or will perhaps be fighting with his teammates like he did in Tampa.) Keep your mouth shut Garza, you haven't won anything yet!
Monday, April 28, 2014
Rondon Looks Solid As Cubs Closer!
Cubs' new closer Hector Rondon looked fantastic during the 9th inning of the Cubs win at Milwaukee Sunday. Rondon struck out the side in the 9th and looked fearsome. It's clear that the Jose Veras experiment didn't work. Veras looked totally incapable of handling the 9th inning role. The Cubs just might have found their man in Rondon.
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Friday, April 11, 2014
Cubs Bullpen Melts Down Again Thursday
The Cubs bullpen imploded again Thursday afternoon in Chicago with a 5-4 loss to the Pirates. Where is Kevin Gregg these days?
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Cubs Bullpen Melts Down Again, Cubs lose in 16 innings to Pirates!
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
(PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA)
Pirates 4
Cubs 3 16 innings
WP-Pitt. Pimentel (1-0)
LP-Cubs-Villanueva (0-2)
HR Cubs: Rizzo (1)
Cubs record (0-2)
Cubs Lineup On Wednesday Confusing?
I had thought the Cubs were rebuilding? Then why was Wednesday's Cub lineup eerily similar to Dale Sveum's lineup the last two years. Haven't we seen enough of 4th and 5th outfield types like Ryan Sweeney, Ryan Kalish? I thought Mike Olt won the third base job? In my opinion this season was for getting at bats for players like Olt and Lake and others. Instead we got the same old tired lineup of proven losers. Why is the point of this?
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Bonifacio Impresses In Opening Day Loss
I was very impressed with the play of new Cub Emilio Bonifacio on opening day against the Pirates. I know it's only one game but Bonifacio looked dynamic in every facet of the game. The Cubs haven't had a lead off hitter like him since Kenny Lofton. I think it's time for the Darwin Barney era to be terminated (the guy is an automatic out!)
Cubs Drop Opener In 10 Innings to Pirates 1-0
Pittsburgh Pirates 1
Chicago Cubs 0
10 innings
WP-Pittsburgh: Morris 1-0
LP-Cubs: Villanueva 0-1
HR-Walker Pitt (1)
Cubs record (0-1)
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Pittsburgh Weather Says Sunny On Monday!
Pittsburgh weather report for Monday is sunny and 57 degrees! ALRIGHT!
Cubs At West Side Grounds In 1906!
Ultra cool West Side grounds In 1906. Fans on rooftops but no yuppies! ALRIGHT!
Some Good Old Chicago Punk!
Here's Chicago punk legends The Banhees with their skull crushing 1966 45 Project Blue!
My First Cub Game 1963
Here I am with my Grandfather Bert in 1963 pounding some Bud in steel cans (no sissy craft beer for us) and taking in a Mets-Cubs game. My grandfather said he told me I should be a Cub fan on this day. But it didn't take hold until 1968!
Monday Begins My 46th Season As A Cub Fan!
A lot has changed since my first Cub opener in 1968. My entire family is mostly gone now. The house I watched my first Cub game in 1963 in Bridgeport, Connecticut is now a burnt out crack house. In truth the Cubs are the only constant in my life. The chain has never been broken. So as I sit here with opening day just a few hours away I'm just as excited as I was when I was 10 years old. Has all the suffering been worth it? YOU BET YOUR ASS IT HAS! GO CUBS (NOT CUBBIES) IN 2014! May the spirit of Brock Davis be with you!
Arodys Vizcaino Possible Cub Closer?
Cub reliever Arodys Vizcaino looked awesome this spring and if he can stay healthy he could be the Cub closer of the future. I saw Vizcaino pitch for the Staten Island Yankees of the New York Penn League a few years ago and he was lights out!
Cubs Wise To Stay The Course
Despite what the muckraking media says about spending money on overpriced free agents, the Cubs are absolutely right to stay the course on build from within. I have been a Cub fan since 1968 and this is the first time since the Dallas Green regime that the Cubs are going out things the right way. Let's face it, the old way never worked. Jim Hendry destroyed the Cubs with his awful drafts (Ryan Harvey, Bobbie Brownlie, Mark Pawelek, Hayden Simpson, Donnie Veal, Josh Vitters, Brett Jackson, Tyler Colvin have all been busts.)
The Cubs finally have some talent and can get a lot more by dealing Samardzija at the trade deadline. Building from the ground up in never easy but if you stick to your plan it can payoff for years. Look no further than the Cardinals for proof. Here is what the Cubs could look like in a couple of years.
Catcher-Welington Castillo
First Base-Anthony Rizzo (Mike Olt, Dan Vogelbach)
Second Base-Starlin Castro
Third Base-Mike Olt (Kris Bryant, Christian Villanueva)
Shortstop-Javier Baez (Arismendy Alcantara)
Left Field-Junior Lake
Center Field-Albert Almora
Right Field-Jorge Soler (Kris Bryant)
Now we need to start drafting some pitchers!
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