What Now? posted by Jeff Lewis

   "Down the left field line, is it enough? Gonneee!!! There it is!!!! 62!!!! Touch first Mark, you are the new single season home-run king!!!"

    We all remember where we were on that September night in 1998, when Mark McGwire broke Roger Maris's single season home-run record of 61 home-runs. I was thirteen at the time, and I was lost in the moment. Words couldn't describe how I felt watching McGwire circling the bases giving the Chicago Cubs players high-fives, and hugs. Watching the greatest moment in baseball of my youth. Looking back, I can't believe how naive I ,and even the world were.

     A few days ago McGwire admitted that he used Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) during majority of his baseball career, including 1998. I feel so used.  I worshiped this guy that year. My summer was revolved around the home-run race between McGwire and Sammy Sosa.

     McGwire may be the poster child of what is known as " the steroid era," in baseball, but he is just the beginning. Yesterday, on ESPN radio 1000 in Chicago, former Cubs pitcher Steve Trachsel, who gave up # 62, was asked how many players he played against he thought used PEDs? His response, " 10%." Wait, 10%! That averages out to be 2 players per team. That means when I use to watch Cubs games there were a total of 4 players using PEDs on the t.v. These guys were my hero's growing up. They were the reason I love the game. Sixty years from no how can I tell my grand-kids that the baseball players of my youth were cheaters. Something has to be done about all of this.

Another Defensive Outfielder for Oakland posted by Stan Walker

The Oakland As recently got a John Hancock from Former Red Sox brawler Coco Crisp, for a modest 1 -year, 4 and a half million dollar contract. With this latest Billy Beane brain storm the A's should give its fans one of, if not the best defensive out fields in baseball, if thats how it will play out. As the normal with the A's, they leave the winter meetings with questions all over the diamond. But the outfield, with the signing of crisp and deals for others are the most muddled. Crisp could join Rajai Davis and Ryan Sweeney to form that crew.

But what does this move really mean for the A's. Well for starters last season Oakland brass acquired Matt Holiday for stud outfield prospect Carlos Gonzales in a trade with the Colorado Rockies. They then showcased Holiday for all the true playoff contenders, to decide who would acquire the best bat available for the stretch run. That team ended up being the St. Louis Cardinals. Oakland would acquire thirdbase phenom (why is every flash in the pants considered a phenom. Remember Ben Grieve ? former Rookie of the year who was king of hitting into the double play? He has been out of baseball a long time . anyway,) Brett Wallace.

The A's now have essentially flipped prospects with the Toronto Blue jays by obtaining outfield genetic freak prospect, Mike Taylor, for Wallace. Taylor had just become a Blue jay days before this deal ,as he was a part of the squirrelly Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee trade.Being involved in a deal with two Cy Young Award winners, should speak for it self, but here is Taylors 2009 in fast forward. At 6-6 250 Taylor has a unique blend of speed and pop. In 2009 he compiled at double A and triple A a criminal record of 21 steals in 26 attempts. He then killed pitchers by posting a .320 average, 20 homers and 84 RBI's. Not overly gaudy numbers, some might even call them pedestrian until you add in his 48 walks and 33 other extra base hits which shot his OBP up to .977. .850 is great 900 is remarkable, 977 is God -like. Now im not saying that this kid is omni-potent, and I am not saying that this kid is the next in a long line of Oakland Rookie of the years. I am simply pointing out that this guy has scouts around the league calling him major league ready, and will push the kids that have had a chance like Travis buck, Aaron Cunningham, and Tommy Everidge for a spot. If these once heralded prospects don't step up for the millionth time, it could be waivers for these guys. This is also guys like Sweeney , Davis and Scott Hairston's chance to show that they can be reliable and healthy an entire campaign as well. Add in the fact that the Oakland A's also traded for stud OF/IF Jake Fox from the Chicago Cubs, and you can see that the A's don't even know how the roster will end up. Fox is a average outfielder at best but his bat is definitlywhat the team needs. Then there is the Desme factor. Grant Desme just finished Arizona Fall league where he hit ten homers in ten games. So again Athletic nation, I ask you. What does the signing of another outfielder, mean for the A's? Well it isn't to add pop to an already anemic offense. CoCo isn't exactly Matt Holiday ya know. So could it be to get some of his family ties into the stands, to help the ticket sales, that match last years team offense? They also got Antioch, California native Aaron Miles in the Fox deal, who can play any position on the field, so maybe his and crisp family can help fill some seats? Well I think the true reason and history with this ball club states the same, is so the A's can play "Billy Ball" as they always do and trade for more prospects. Sure guys like Crisp, Scott Hairston and Ryan Sweeney wont net Holiday caliber prospects but it will help with their already great farm system by adding more prospects and hopefully put a few more fans in the seats.

Run production and slugging: not always hand in hand posted by David

While researching ballplayers of the nineties, I discovered that in 1993, Jeff King of the Pirates drove in 98 runs while hitting only nine home runs and slugging just .406.  I then wondered if any player has ever driven in 100 runs with fewer than 10 homers or with a slugging percentage under .400.  Upon further investigation, I found that in 1996 – the year he turned 40 during the Dog Days of August – Paul Molitor hit just nine homers but accumulated 113 RBI’s while playing for the Twins.  Thanks to his American League-leading 225 hits and batting two hitters behind leadoff man Chuck Knoblauch in the midst of his best season (.448 OBP), Molitor led the Twins in both hitting (.341) and Runs Batted In.  I have yet to find a player with a season of 100+ RBI’s despite a slugging percentage under .400 (Molitor’s was a healthy .468), but I will continue searching.

How ‘bout that?

How about Roy Halladay?  In a classy move following his trade to the Phillies, Halladay wrote an open letter to Blue Jays fans in a full-page ad in the Toronto Sun, thanking them for their “overwhelming passion and devotion.”  Halladay, the longest-tenured member of the Jays, will remain in the team record books for quite some time.  He is second to Dave Stieb in wins by a Blue Jays pitcher with 148, and during his big-league career, which began in 1998, he represented the Jays in six All-Star games, came within one out of a no-hitter in his second major league start, and set a single-season franchise record with 22 wins in 2003, when he won the Cy Young Award.  He also threw 49 Complete Games, including 15 shutouts, good for third and second, respectively, in Blue Jays history.  Halladay’s good-bye makes me feel good as a baseball fan.

"Tim Lincecum Captures Second Cy Young" posted by Michael McGauley

 Just sheer domination that didn't necessarily show up in the win column! Fifteen victories equals a Cy Young?  Let's look at ALL of the numbers to really appreciate how great Tim Lincecum has been through his first two-full seasons with the Giants (he did throw 146-plus innings in 24 starts in 2007). Back-to-back Cy Young Awards do not come around very often (see: N.L. stand-outs RJ and Maddux, each with four straight, and Sandy Koufax with three of four; Clemens, Palmer, McClain, and Pedro each went back-to-back in the A.L. ([Clemens did it twice; ten years apart]). The difference? Lincecum has done it twice in two full years by the age of 25! So how do you follow up a CY YOUNG AWARD WINNING SEASON??? You work even harder to improve (by perfecting a third pitch), and that's exactly what Lincecum did after winning his first CY in 2008 with an 18-and-5 record, and 265 strikeouts in 227 innings. Lincecum worked 225 and one-third innings this year, and went 15-and-7 with 261 strikeouts. No, that doesn't sound any better until we delve deeper. Check this out - in roughly the same number of innings pitched, Lincecum allowed fourteen fewer hits (182 down to 168); sixteen fewer walks (84 to 68); four fewer earned runs (66 to 62), and an opponent's batting average of .206, down from .221 in '08. He also doubled his complete games (up to four); doubled his shutouts (two); lowered his ERA (2.48 from 2.62), and his WHIP (1.05 from 1.17). That is thirty fewer base runners which is certainly reflected in his walks- and hits-to-innings-pitched. Among his many double-digit strikeout performances this season, I was fortunate enough to see Lincecum dust 15 Pirates in a complete game victory on a Monday night in late July. Just unbelievable, even if it Continue reading ""Tim Lincecum Captures Second Cy Young""

The Chicago cubs 2010 posted by Jeff Lewis

    After two consecutive years of winning the National League Central Division, the Chicago Cubs watched their hated rivals the St. Louis Cardinals win it. In order for this not happen again, the Cubs have some concerns they have to address in order to get back to their winning ways.

    First, they have to get rid of Milton Bradley. This guy was a cancer on and off the field. He was quoted saying that he does not like the Cubs fans. I am here to tell you that the feeling is mutual. The Cubs general manager, Jim Hendry, needs to get this guy off this team no matter how. If that involves eating majority of his contract in a trade, then that's the way it needs to be done. There have been a few teams mentioned in trade talks for Bradley. The Tampa Bay Rays, the San Diego Padres, and the team that keeps getting mentioned the most the Texas Rangers. It doesn't matter what team the Cubs get the deal done with, as long as this guy is off the team come next year.

    Second, the Cubs need a lead-off hitter and center-fielder. These two go together, because the Cubs can fill both of these holes with one player. Coco Crisp. Crisp is a great player. He has speed, he is a descent outfielder, and he can hit. He did have a down year last year, but he played for the Kansas City Royals. Put a good team behind Coco he will shine! Look what he did in Boston an few years ago. There have been rumors that the Cubs are in the Curtis Garnderson sweepstakes. Grandy would be a good fit with the Cubs, and probably benefit from the National League style of play. The one downside to getting Garndy is that he can't hit left-handed pitchers. So the Cubs would have to find someone to platoon with Grandy in center when they are facing a lefty. With the Cubs payroll, I don't see that happening. Crisp should be Hendry's guy, but we will see what happens.

Cubs Say They Will Shop Zambrano posted by John Frascella

When the 2009 MLB season comes to a close, the Chicago Cubs have announced that they will shop starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano in hopes of swinging a trade and dumping much of his monstrous contract. The question is, should the Mets be interested in the massive right-hander?

That's the question a friend asked me earlier today, and I said, "Sure. It's not like we have anyone better" -- with the obvious exception of Johan Santana. As far as physical ability goes, Zambrano isn't the 97-99 MPH flamethrower he was four or five seasons ago, but he maintains an effective power sinker that would work nicely at Citi Field. I thought he looked hurt in 2008, but I've seen the life return to his sinker this season. 

The obstacle in the Mets' way would be of the financial variety. By now many of you know that the Wilpons were ripped off by Bernie Madoff, and reports have suggested as much as $700 million in losses. If the actual number is anywhere near that figure, it would be awfully difficult for the Mets to house Zambrano's hefty contract. Only time will tell, I guess. 

6 games over .500, Cubs Moving Toward Respectable posted by richard Kagan

We are so used to seeing the Cubs have bad years where they lose 90 games a season, or good years where they win 96 games.  The Cubs need to get used to simply winning, having a winning season.  If they finish seven or eight games over.500 you can't say that's a terrible season.  It may be a disappointing one---

Let's see if the Cubs can finish strong these final weeks of the season.  And, believe me, it has been a long one for Cubs' fans.  This team has been on a roller-coaster ride the whole year, up and down.  Let's just see with people playing healthy, if this team can win.  OK, Soriano is out, but the Cubs have won without him. 

Derrick Lee is the most valuable player this year. He is red hot at home, hitting close to .400 since late May.  He has 33 HR's and is closing in on driving in 100 rbi's this year.  If the Cubs had Ramirez for most the season, it may be a different story.  But the St. Louis Cards have been in the drivers seat most of the season.  They had terrible injuries problems last season, and got their pitchers healthy, and look at the difference. Plus, they have Albert Pujols, as close to automatic as you can get. He has been deadly with the bases loaded this year. Even tied Ernie Banks' old record of 5 GS hit in one season. 

Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol lives on the wild side. Has almost as many walks as innings pitches. Yet he has "settled" down recently, to be fairly effective as a closer the last month or so. He seems to either strike out or walk a batter.  Hardly anyone can hit him.

Cards Continue September Tear and Recent Sports Oddities posted by Ryan Turner

The Cardinals continued their dominance of the National League Central this week, going 5-1 on a road trip with a blown save on Sunday, meaning it could've been a 6-0 trip. Last night the Cards got a boost from John Smoltz who was rocky early, giving up three runs in the first two innings, but he stuck with it and shut out the Brewers over the next three innings before turning it over to the bullpen. The Brewers had their chances for a knock out blow, but they couldn't capitalize, just as the Cards couldn't do so with runners in scoring position. When a team goes 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position and can still grind out a win, that's the make of a championship caliber team. Even when they don't play that well, they win.

Today, the Cards played much better as Adam Wainwright was back to his normal self after only going five innings in his last start. He went seven scoreless innings today, while striking out six, and also helped himself by doubling and scoring a run. Albert Pujols has officially entered beast mode, as he jacked two more homers today, including the first of his career against former teammate Jeff Suppan. Over his last 14 games, he's batting .460 with seven home runs, six doubles, 17 RBI, 10 walks, and a 1.000 slugging percentage in 50 at-bats. He now has 47 home runs for the season, just two shy of his career high of 49 and he now has three and a half weeks left to pass that mark. The guy is unbelievable. As for his partner in crime, Matt Holliday, he left the game today after stumbling across first base on a ground out with what the team is calling a bruised knee. He had a minor injury a few weeks ago and it didn't phase him, so even though I cringe every time I see him or Chris Carpenter stumble, I'm not worried about this particular injury.

Cubs Can't Beat Bad Teams At Home posted by richard Kagan

There will come a time when the Chicago Cubs are mathematically eliminated from post-season play.  That time hasn't yet arrived but as the Cubs lose to teams with losing records such as Washington, NY Mets this past Sunday, and trailing Houston 5-2 in the 6th inning tonight, that time is coming soon enough. 

Seeing the Cubs, who had a great winning record last season, plus 30 games, thrash around like a wounded animal--is painful enough.  For a die-hard Cubs' fan, you don't want to see the team lose, but put them out of their misery.

The season is over.  The Cubs weren't good enough, and they are making the Cardinals look like the Cubs of last summer.  Records are mirage, except losing ones.  Now Chicago will try to finish the year above .500 and that looks like a struggle.  Players aren't meshing this year according to Lou Piniella, Cubs Mananger.  He said the team chemistry was better last year in published reports. The team also had Mark DeRosa and Kerry Wood.  Milton Bradley, who came over with power from the left side, has been a huge disappointment.  He was hot versus the Mets. Batting like .450 in 3 games. That might have raised his average. But when the Cubs needed big hits earlier this season, Bradley was ice cold.  Recently he has made statements that haven't endeared him to home town fans. Well, the season is almost over and you can go home soon.

The younger players Jake Fox, Koyie Hill, and James Baker have demonstrated promise. Fox hit a home run with the bags full against the Mets.  That was a nice moment.  If only the Cubs had more like that one.

Cutler, Bears Win in Denver 27-17 posted by richard Kagan

Since the Chicago Cubs and White Sox are all but out of contention in baseball, this Chicago fan can cheer for the Bears going into hostile territory and defeating the Denver Broncos.

It's not easy to win a game in Denver.  But after seeing Jay Cutler go 15 for 21, throwing the ball with authority and leading the Bears offense and watching Kyle Orton trying to match up, the Bears may have gotten the steal of the year.

It doesn't matter that they gave up the proverbial house to get Cutler.  What matters is, Cutler is a pro-bowl looking QB and Kyle Orton isn't.  And, Denver fans are understandably upset.  Cutler has the quality of making decent receivers look good.  And that is hard to accomplish.  A special teams TD by Devin Hester tonight underscores his own brilliance and takes the pressure off Cutler to do it all alone.  If Hester can sprinkle his magic this season by scoring in a flash of an eye, this could be an exciting season. 

The defense of Chicago played tough in the first half as the Bears had a 2 touchdown lead.  The rabid fans in Denver sounding pretty frustrated.  As a long-time Bears' fan, that is a nice sound.  Better the other team, than us.

Orton left the game with a cut finger in the 2nd quarter.  He might be ready for the start of the season.  Denver fans are used to seeing greatness on the field in their QB.  Elway played there.  And the spectre of Orton in Denver Orange has to kind of tough to adjust to.  But that is what they have, and Chicago has Cutler.  Finally, The Bears look like a smart team.

Blackhawks extend McDonough through 2016 (AP)

Chicago Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz has rewarded team president John McDonough with a long-term contract extension through 2016. McDonough, who came to the Blackhawks from the Chicago Cubs on Nov. 20, 2007, is widely credited with increasing the once-floundering team's popularity through a marketing campaign. [read full article]

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