Mike Quade Gone As Skipper of Cubs posted by Richard Kagan

The Cubs managerial merry-go-round takes another spin as Mike Quade was not re-hired by Theo Epstein, the new honcho for Cubs baseball.  Epstein was recently hired in talks so compicated that they a resembled U.S.-Russia nuclear pact to reduce nukes.

So Quade is out.  He had a good showing in 2010 at the end of the year when he led the Cubs to a great finish.  That got him the full-time job in 2011 and he presided over a 71-91 team.  Not exactly great.  But oh so Cub-like.

The Cubs will get a makeover.  They will be young and  hungry, with a few veterans.  Shawn Castro, the shortstop will be the fulcrum of this re-building project.  Castro has star written all over---He had over 200 hits for the season. The youngest Cub player ever to do that.  The Cubs are not going to win it next year.  But they may be more exciting.  With this team, you never know.

Cubs: Don't Hire Terry or Theo posted by Richard Kagan

Now that Terry Francona is out as manager of the BoSox, due to their amazing collapse in September, the thought arises, is he good enough for the Cubs?  Theo Epstein may be right behind him? 

My sentiments are: What have you done in the past ten minutes of your tenure?  They both presided over the greatest fall out of the playoffs in the month of Sept.  They had this Wild Card berth practically signed and sealed and forget to stamp the envelope.  Pitchers ran up a generous 7.50 ERA during games when Boston played 7-20 in the month. An almost .320 winning percentage. Players made errors in the field, and hitters went in the tank.  At the end of the season, the team resembled the bad guys on the Walking Dead.   We've had enough of the Waking Dead or Walking Dead.  We need an new infusion of character and energy.  For that, you need to look around.

Cubs, don't take Terry, and don't take Theo.  Be more resourceful, look around, maybe you have major talent in your orgnanization?  David Hahn is often noted as a newbie GM.  How about for the Cubs?  The Cubs had a guy go the Blackhawks, and he helped turn around that team.  The urge to go for one of the two men maybe strong, but I caution against it.  What did you do for me lately?  They blew it big time.  I don't want to hear about World Series rings 4-5 years ago.  That was then?  Don't leap for the same tired formula.  It would be like getting Nolan Ryan to be your starting pitcher.  He's retired.

Marmol Blows Another Save posted by Richard Kagan

Derrick Lee hit a grand slam with two outs in the top of the 9th inning off of Carlos Marmol and the Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs in a stunner at Wrigley Field, 7-5.

Marmol gave up a slami blast to Houston recently which was the game winner in the bottom of the 9th.  This time he loads the bases and gives up a grand slam to Lee, the ex-Cubs power hitter.  Boy, the Cubs are experts at losing.

And, Marmol is hard to figure.  When he's good, he's almost unhittable, and when he's bad, he squanders leads late.  And, the Cubs are learning how to win.  This type of finish doesn't help matters any.  This is a blue-print for Cubs losses.  Get productive at bits from your 3-4-5 guys and still lose the game.  Guys were hitting the ball, but the BP couldn't close it. In the bigs, that can be the difference maker and today it was.  Add Lee's name to the list of Cubs Killers.  It constantly grows.

Konerko is Hot posted by Richard Kagan

"Paulie's" hot. As in scorching the ball.  Tonight Paul Konerko hit his 5th home run in as many games as the ChiSox lead the Cubs, 2-1, in the 4th inning in their inter-league mega-series.  Konerko is having a stellar season with 21 homeruns and 56 RBI's, a good two plus weeks before the All-Star break.  By the way, Konerko should be a pretty good bet to make this year's AL team.

The ChiSox power hitter now has 12 season with 20 or more homeruns.  His blast last night put him ahead of Frank Thomas for club lead.  Thomas has 11 season of 20 or more HR's.  Konerko walks softly and carries a big stick.  You don't hear much about him.  He doesn't stir up the clubhouse.  His quotes have a tone of empathy and understanding of the up's and down's of the game.  He's a realist who gives 100%.  He is a credit to the team and one of the best players in the AL.  You hardly hear anyone speak about him.  This guy leads by example.  He recently passed Harold Baines on the all-time home run list.  Konerko is nearing 390, and will probably make that in a few weeks.

Paul Konerko, you are some hitter.

Keep Interleague Play posted by Richard Kagan

Major League Baseball started Interleague play this weekend.  People have debated this through the years.  Keep it? or go back to regular schedules?

Has the novelty won off?  Is it a good idea?  I say keep it for now.  This weekend has the Chicago Cubs playing in Fenway Park to face the BoSox.  The last time these two team met was in the 1918 World Series, which the Cubs lost, by the way.

But seeing the players wearing their throw-back uniforms of that era, brings a mystique and charm to the game....

Seeing slugger Aramis Ramirez wear the softer seams of a bygone era gives an impression of the almost eternal sense of the game.  Baseball was played in 1918. That was during World War One.  The game is still going on.  Of course, the made for TV rivalries of the Mets-Yankees, Dodgers-Giants, and Cubs-White Sox are exciting series for the fans and the players.

The fans still get into it.  And the players have that extra hop in them.  If only the weather would cooperate.  The Yanees-Mets game looks like it's still early April.  There is a chill in the air.   But now, it's almost Memorial Day and the beginning of Summer.  Can the White Sox bats heat up? or the Cubs?  Both teams need to start hitting or it will be a long summer.

Of course, teams like Kansas City doesn't have a built in rivalry with another team.  Maybe the Cardinals?

No matter what, you are providing the fans to see teams and players they wouldn't see during the course of the season.

Cub Fan posted by Ron

Okay, this is my first post and it will be short and sweet.  I'm a diehard Cubs fan that currently uses MLBlogs to share my thoughts about my team.  You can read it at http://strictlycubsbaseball.mlblogs.com 

Anyway, I came across this site and wanted to try it out and see if I liked it better.  Well, that's it for now. 

Cubs Great Ron Santo Dies at 70 posted by Richard Kagan

Ron Santo, who played 3rd base for the Chicago Cubs during their hey-day as baseball's darlings, and later became known as WGN Radio analyst on Cubs games, died yesterday at the age of 70.  He died of cancer.

Santo had diabetes, a severe case, which would have stopped most people.  He fought thrugh amputations, and illness, and still found his seat in the broadcast booth of the the Cubbies.  Santo was a power-hitting ball player who played along with Ernie Banks and Billy Williams on Cubs teams managed by Leo Durocher, which brought the fans back to Wrigley. The Cubs became a winning team and were contenders in their division.  In 1969, they held an 8 game lead in September only to lose to the NY Mets in one of the black days in Cubs history.  That team produced 3 Hall of Famers, Banks, Williams, and pitcher Ferguson Jenkins.

Santo was on the ballot for the Hall of Fame, but didn't get elected.  One of the my fondest memories as a Cubs fan was to see him after a win, clicking his heels as he walked down the left field line to enter the Clubhouse.  He hit in the clutch, drove in runs, and thrilled Cubs fans as the long-time 3rd baseman for the Cubs.

Ron, you were a great player. 

Goodbye Lou, Piniella Retires Earlier Than Planned posted by Richard Kagan

Cubs' manager Lou Piniella, cited the health of his ailing mother as the reason he left the Cubs organization on Sunday, a month or so before the end of the season.  Cub fans heading the park didn't know for sure that this was his last game until an improvised ceremony with Braves Manager Bobby Cox at home plate signalled that something was up. 

Yes, this would be Lou's last game ---and his impressive achievements were announced the the crowd. 

It has been a tough couple of days for Cubs fans.  Team favorite Derrick Lee was now playing for the Braves, and has a chance to make the playoffs at the end of his career.  The Cubs are 23 games under .500, not the way the team imagined it would be in Arizona during Spring training.  But Piniella took some time off earlier in the month to see his Mom, and her situation has not improved, necessiting Piniella's quick departure.  Mike Quade was named interim manager for the rest of the season.  Allan Trammell, the bench coach, was not in consideration as interim manager.

Piniella brought credibility and a winning resume to the Cubs.  The team made the playoffs in 2007, and 2008, only to be swept in the the first round.  The 2008 season was disappointing because the Cubs had perhaps their best season in years, winning 97 games, only to lose 3 straight games to the Dodgers.  Last season, the team had a winning record, and this year, the Cubs seemed like the team of some many futile seasons, losing close games, blowing leads, and getting clobbered as in the the 16-5 loss on Sunday. 

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.

Red Sox and Cubs Ask Selig to Judge Epstein Compensation: A Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contrib

The Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs, unable to decide on compensation for Theo Epstein's move from one front office to the other, have asked MLB commissioner Bud Selig to decide what the Cubs owe the Red Sox as a result. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Red Sox and Cubs Ask Selig to Judge Epstein Compensation: A Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contrib

The Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs, unable to decide on compensation for Theo Epstein's move from one front office to the other, have asked MLB commissioner Bud Selig to decide what the Cubs owe the Red Sox as a result. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Red Sox and Cubs Ask Selig to Judge Epstein Compensation: A Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contrib

The Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs, unable to decide on compensation for Theo Epstein's move from one front office to the other, have asked MLB commissioner Bud Selig to decide what the Cubs owe the Red Sox as a result. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Red Sox and Cubs Ask Selig to Judge Epstein Compensation: A Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contrib

The Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs, unable to decide on compensation for Theo Epstein's move from one front office to the other, have asked MLB commissioner Bud Selig to decide what the Cubs owe the Red Sox as a result. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Red Sox and Cubs Ask Selig to Judge Epstein Compensation: A Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contrib

The Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs, unable to decide on compensation for Theo Epstein's move from one front office to the other, have asked MLB commissioner Bud Selig to decide what the Cubs owe the Red Sox as a result. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports