Danks Hurls a CG Two Hitter in 1-0 Win posted by richard Kagan

The White Sox starting pitching is good.  Jake Peavy goes out the other night with a torn muscle in his upper back that could sideline him for the rest of the season.  Ok, up steps Jonathan Danks, who when he is good, he is really good.

Today he was great, striking out 7, no walks, and gave up only two hits going the distance for a complete game shutout.

That how pitchers did it in the old days.  When Billy Pierce, the great lefty for the ChiSox would hurl his gems.  Danks has the stuff.  And, he helped hot Chicago win their 5th game in a row, to solidfy their 2nd place position in the AL Central.

They are neck and neck with Detroit which holds a slim .5 game lead.  The Sox recent winning streak got them back in the watercooler conversation.  Now, you can talk about them quite seriously.  Sure, they will miss Peavy, but this team is on a roll, and has 4 solid starters.   The team may be in the market for another starting pitcher.  The team is at the high-water mark for the season at 8 games over.600 so we are not talking chopped liver here.  The squad is capable of going 15 games over .500.  They need to hit the ball.  You can't rely on Alex Rios or Paul Konerko to win you games.  You need to come up with somebody else.  How about Gordon Beckham?  If he could get untracked, they would be in the race.  The Sox need quality starts but now needs quality hits.  Someone has to drive in runs with runner in scoring position. 

Juan Pierre is having an excellent season stealing bases, getting into scoring position.  Someone needs to stroke a hit to drive him home.  When you are good you are lucky.  The Sox made 5 errors and hit two batters alone in the 9th inning, yet held on the win over the Angels.  Heck, they are making this team look average, and the Angels are a pretty good team.  The ChiSox have talent, even better talent than their rivals on the northside, the Chicago Cubs.  They have to continue to play well and show that they deserve to be taken seriously as a contender.

White Sox Keep Winning, Beat Cubs 3-2 posted by richard Kagan

When you're hot you're hot and that's what the Chicago White Sox are.  They won their 11th sraight game Saturday night, 3-2, defeating their cross-town rivals, the Chicago Cubs on Paul Konerko's 8th inning Home Run.  Konerko has 19 dingers and most likely will be picked for the AL All-Star team in a few weeks. 

The Sox have turned around their season.  Mired in a a long slump, the Sox have feasted in inter-league play, winning game after game.  The starting pitching has been almost perfect.  Their ERA hovers just over 2.0 runs a game.

If you don't give up runs, and outscore your opponent, you win.  That's what the ChiSox have been doing and now they trail the Twins by 1 1/2 games.  Earlier in the month, they were 9 1/2 out and looking for ways to dump salaries.

Well, because of this streak, decsions are on hold.  Konerko, bidding for a free-agent deal, is having a great first-half of the season.  He has hit 2 GW homers in the last week.   The bullpen has been getting outs.  It is looking good on the South side of town.   Winning 11 straight doesn't happen often.  The last ChiSox team to do it was back in 1961 when Nellie Fox patrolled second base.  1961 has a magic ring to these days, that was the year the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup before this year's team brought it home to Chicago.

The Sox are 5 games above .500 and rising.  It's not going to last forever, but enjoy it while you can.

Late Hit Spells Defeat for Cubbies posted by richard Kagan

Chicago Cubs closer Carlos Marmol gave up a two out two run single in the bottom of the 9th to lose a nailbiter in Milwaukee, 3-2.  That's why the Cubs are the Cubs.  Having a 2-1 lead in a game in not enough runs.  Marmol has been great in the 9th inning so far this season, but tonight he showed he's human.  It doesn't matter how the Cubs battled to take a 2-1 lead in the 8th inning.  It does matter than the Cubs couldn't hold a lead in a game they had.

But that's why the Cubs are the Cubs.  You don't want to see Marmol walking a tightrope in the 9th.  But he did, and this time, it didn't work out.  Baseball is a funny game.  It is a game decided by inches, by a base hit from a guy who was 0-3 in the game.  Corey Hart was on deck and he hit a homer earlier, the guess is Carlos didn't want to face him, so he grooved one and McGhee got a game winning hit.  That's baseball.  Tough loss for the Cubs.

Cubs Need To Win Games vs. Cards posted by richard Kagan

If the Chicago Cubs are thinking of making any noise this summer they need to beat their rival, the St. Louis Cards, today and tomorrow.  The Cubs are five games behind the Cincy Reds, the surprise of the Division, so far.  But St. Louis, is right in the hunt and they are loaded once again with talent.  Albert Pujols, perhaps the dangerous hitter in the league, anchors their lineup.  When he is on, you simply don't pitch to him.  The starting rotaton with Chris Carpenter poised to have another fine year, is solid.  The Cards find a way to get it done.  Something the Cubs haven't managed to do.

When you talk about the Cubs you always have to add "if" as in "if" it rains, there may be a rainout.  If the middle of the order starts hitting, the Cubs will be in some games, "if" the pitching can hold up, that will be a factor.  One thing for sure, it will be a hot summer.  Maybe Aramis Ramirez will bond with the heat, and start cracking out hits and homers.

The Cubs have talent.  They are just underperforming.  You have to take a good look at the atmosphere of the clubhouse.  Are the players having fun, are they loose, do they look forward to coming to the park and play a game?

If the answer is no.  Then the season is over.  If the answer is yes, or heading in that direction, then there is a chance for exciting baseball at Wrigley.  But it won't get to be interesting until the Cubs can top the Cards.  Starting today.

Cubs Beat Dodgers 3-0, Close In On .500 posted by richard Kagan

The Chicago Cubs may not be that bad afterall.  The Cubs beat the hot Dodgers 3-0 Tuesday night behind the pitching of Rick Dempster and the hitting of Derrick Lee.  Lee whose bat has been in hiberation since the start of the season had 3 hits including a 2 run HR to back Dempster's solid effort.

Dempster 3-4 for the year pitched like he's 8-0.  He has the stuff and he showed it last night, giving up only 3 hits, before leaving late in the game.  If Chicago wants to be in the Central Division race they will need more productlion from Lee and Amaris Ramirez who has been dogged by injuries this season.  Lee is hitting .231, far below his average.  He is bound to hit soon.  This clubs has more hits in them.  Soriano, Lee, and Ramirez are capable of producing home runs and rbi"s.

When they start hitting, they will be a club to reckon with.  Let's hope it comes soon, and not before the team is out of contention.  Zambrano will soon return to the starting rotation.  The Cubs search for a guy who can get outs in the eighth inning continues.  Jeff Grabow is not the answer.  Marmol has blinding stuff and when he is right, is nearly unhittable.  So, he is the closer for now.  Hopefully, he will be in some meaningful games when he gets to show his fastball.

Baseball's a Bust in Chitown posted by richard Kagan

It is early May and already the warning signs are here.  No lead is safe in the 9th inning for the White Sox.  If the Cubs strings hits together, they might win a game.  The Cubs have the pitching that the Sox don't.  Meanwhile Paul Konerko is leading the majors in the early going with 13 homers.  And Alex Rios is living up to his contract, batting .320 and hitting for power. 

If only Beckham and Carlos Quinton would start to hit, the Sox might be a little more competitive.  But blowing a 7-5 lead in the 9th is not the answer.  The White Sox had the game in the bag vs. the Blue Jays the other day, but Bobby Jenks, who pitches like a daredevil on a tightrope, finally got hammered and gave up 4 runs in the top of the 9th.  That's a blown save and a loss.  You can say it is early.  But that is a tough loss period.

The Cubs flounder as if that is their nature.  It seems to be in the team's DNA.  They play well at home and look terrible on the road.  The Phillies play well at home and on the road.  Oh, they're World Champs. That is what good teams do, and the Cubs aren't what you would call a good team.  They show flashes.  That's what lightning does over Lake Michigan.

Maybe they can patch together a winning streak.  They have the pitching.  They have guys who can throw 7 innings. And, the bullpen with Carlos Zambrano, moonlighting there, is stronger.  I'm hoping for a 14 game homestand.  That would put them in the running.  Of course you have to win some games.

Cubs hit .500 mark with 4-3 win over Nats posted by richard Kagan

At 10-10 for the early season, you can't say the Cubs are good or bad.  But this past week, they have been better than good, winning 4 straight to head toward respectability.  Carlos Zambrano took a demotion for the team and is pitching his best as a late set-up man for Carlos Marmol.  Now, the Cubs bullpen has been improved with a $90 million pitcher.

Slugger Alex Ramirez usually starts off slow and is only batting .145 for the year but he took 4 balls and walked with Cubs standing on each bag, to drive in the winning run in their half of the 10th frame.  As Jack Brickhouse used to say, "Hey-Hey."

It's joy in Wrigleyville now.  It's April and the Cubs aren't out of the race---well, that's gallows humor as Cubs fans know well.  The Cubs bat's will heat up with the weather.  The starting pitchers are giving manager Lou Piniella quality innings, and now that Zambrano diplomatically agreed to go the bullpen, the team has a new look and new life.

Don't forget Zambrano get hit too.  He has 20 career home runs.  And a batting average above .230.  He gets wood on the ball.  But he's paid to pitch, not be Derrick Lee.  Suddenly, he looks like Kerry Wood out there.  The Cubs never should have let Wood go, but they have a guy who can throw almost has hard as him.   How long will be out there?  No one knows, but if one of the starters falters, Piniella doesn't have to have to call up someone from Iowa to come in, he can call Carlos Z.  It's late April and the Cubs are still in the race.

The most promising time of the year posted by David

Today’s post is brought to you from Toledo, Ohio.  With Spring Training wrapping up in just over a week, every team has reason to be hopeful that this will be their year.  Though it is widely accepted that exhibition games are meaningless, the Giants should feel good about their 18-7 record this spring, and the Indians are certainly pleased that they have won 13 of their first 19 games.  The reigning World Series champion Yankees, meanwhile, can shake off their 9-12 record as rustiness.  It may not have the excitement of October, but April is when everyone’s glass is half full; no one has ground to make up or nagging injuries to play through.  Every team has a share of first place, and that’s what makes it the most promising time of the year.

How ‘bout that?

How about Joe Nathan?  Coming off a strong 2009 (47 saves, 2.10 E.R.A and 0.932 WHIP), the Twins closer will miss the entire season following Tommy John surgery.  The back end of the Twins bullpen is now up for grabs, and the AL Central is anyone’s for the taking.  Three different teams (Twins, White Sox, and Indians) have won the division the last three years, and each of the last two has been decided by a one-game playoff.  Detroit and Chicago, the Twins’ main competition in 2009, will benefit most from Minnesota’s loss.

How about John Smoltz?  The veteran right-hander will begin the season in the broadcast booth rather than on the mound, working as a color analyst for TBS.  Smoltz did some commentating back in 2008 while on Atlanta’s Disabled List.  If Smoltz is truly finished as a player, he combines with former teammates (and fellow retirees) Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine for 873 career wins and 154 saves.  Not surprisingly, both Maddux and Glavine will remain in the game in some capacity, the former serving as an assistant to Cubs GM Jim Hendry, and the latter as a special assistant to Braves President John Schuerholz.

Next stop in my baseball career – the Toledo Mud Hens! posted by David

In my life I have attended many more major league games than minor league ones, but 2010 will be a chance for me to experience the minors like never before.  I will be working in media relations for the Toledo Mud Hens of the International League.  The Mud Hens are the Triple-A affiliate of the Tigers and play at Fifth Third Field, just an hour from Detroit, which means that Tigers on rehab assignments will likely make cameo appearances throughout the season.

Those who have worn the Mud Hen uniform include Hall of Famers Kirby Puckett (the team was affiliated with the Twins from 1978 through 1986) and manager Casey Stengel, as well as longtime Tigers Travis Fryman and Kirk Gibson, and active players Curtis Granderson of the Yankees and Carlos Peña of the Red Sox.  Scott Sizemore, who will replace Placido Polanco as Detroit’s 2nd baseman this season, spent the better part of 2009 in Toledo.

Toledo, Ohio is a place I had never been until recently, but I am very happy to become a part of the Mud Hens staff and thrilled to work a full season in professional baseball.

Two more notable retirements

The 2009-2010 offseason has already seen the end of the brilliant careers of Randy Johnson, Tom Glavine, and Frank Thomas, but two other players with solid resumes announced their retirements this past week.

Nomar Garciaparra played for the Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, and Athletics, collected 1,747 hits, 229 home runs, 95 stolen bases, and a batting line of .313/.361/.521, and made six-time All-Star teams.  He was unanimously selected as the 1997 American League Rookie of the Year, and won back-to-back batting titles with very impressive averages – .357 and .372 – in 1999 and 2000.  In those years, Garciaparra also set career OPS highs at 1.022 (second to Manny Ramirez in the AL) and 1.033.  In seven postseason series, he hit .321 with seven home runs.  Nomar guaranteed himself a spot in the record books on May 10, 1999, when he became the 11th player in major league history to hit two grand slams in a single game.

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.

Dawson, Herzog and Harvey inducted into BB HOF (AP)

Andre Dawson, who endured 12 knee surgeries to forge an impressive 21-year major league career, was inducted Sunday into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, becoming just the 203rd player in the game's long history to receive the honor. "Thank you for welcoming this rookie to your team" said Dawson, who played for a decade in Montreal before signing with the Chicago Cubs as a free... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Cardinals activate Ludwick from DL

The St. Louis Cardinals activated right fielder Ryan Ludwickfrom the 15-day disabled list before Saturday's game against theChicago Cubs. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for MLB

Cubs manager Piniella retiring after season (The Canadian Press)

CHICAGO - Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella is going to retire at the end of the season. [read full article]

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Zambrano to start Cubs' workout program

Carlos Zambrano is expected to resume working sometime this week, though the Chicago Cubs aren't sure when he'll return to the team. [read full article]

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Reds hit 7 homers in rout of Cubs

Drew Stubbs had an idea of what might happen Sunday when he watched the ball carry over the fence at Wrigley Field during batting practice.When the game started, Stubbs belted three of the Cincinnati Reds' season-high seven home runs to lead a 14-3 romp over the Chicago Cubs. [read full article]

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