tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55606782011-04-21T14:02:29.672-07:00A Fire Dusty Baker, Chicago Cubs BlogMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comBlogger5411100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1157551627187343422006-09-06T07:03:00.000-07:002006-09-06T07:07:07.206-07:00

This is why our team is dysfunctional.August 23rd when Ryan Theriot tried to steal 3rd base and got caught..."That shocked us all," said Cubs manager Dusty Baker, whose team fell to 53-72. "Maybe he was overplaying. That wasn’t a good play. That was a bad play, especially with 3-4-5 coming up there. I guess he was trying to be aggressive.""That was a young, a very young, mistake right there."

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1157516515706892992006-09-05T20:44:00.000-07:002006-09-05T21:21:55.726-07:00

After tonight it is complete. The Cubs are back to being one of the worst teams in baseball. So yeah, tonights little milestone has driven me back to blogging. I stopped writing back on April 23rd, 2005. I was growing more an more disgusted with the direction of the franchise and blogging just wasn't doing it for me anymore. I latched onto Desipio.com so I could vent my frustration in smaller

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1114301032297661842005-04-23T16:37:00.000-07:002005-04-23T17:03:52.296-07:00

Where to begin about the Cubs 4-3 loss to the Pirates today. Well hell lets start with Dusty Baker and his stupid decisions. Pinch hitting a 2-3 Jason Dubois for the anemic Jose Macias! The whole point of pinch hitting is to replace your hitter with a BETTER hitter. Obviously Baker has brain damage at this point and can not even understand this simple concept. Naturally Macias swings on the first

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1113704627644204272005-04-16T18:55:00.000-07:002005-04-16T19:23:47.646-07:00

I really have not felt like blogging much this season mainly because I am getting my fix for writing and venting over at Desipio.com. But I can't stands no more! Soon after Baker was hired I predicted this would be the year he would be fired. The Honeymoon would not last and he would wear out his welcome in this city. Take a tour around the Cubs blog sphere and it is anti-Dusty every where you

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1111208267062027252005-03-18T20:25:00.000-08:002005-03-18T20:57:47.063-08:00

I have not felt much like writing since spring training opened. Just kind of sitting back and waiting for decisions on Dubois who is having a fine spring and listening to the annual talk of Prior and Wood injured again. So what made me write today? Well naturally something regarding Baker and how he may be growing tired of life in Chicago.A close friend of Baker is saying that it may be racism

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1110287703182030492005-03-08T05:11:00.000-08:002005-03-08T05:15:03.183-08:00

Come on, it is only Spring Training Dusty. You need to calm down! So when ESPN broadcaster Gary Thorne broached the idea of a closer-by-committee before Monday's 9-4 Cactus League win over Texas, Baker clearly was tired of talking about it."Who suggested it?" he said. "I've never seen it work."Boston tried it [in 2003]. People are always trying to invent something in the game. The game basically

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1109618784773857652005-02-28T11:20:00.000-08:002005-02-28T11:26:24.773-08:00

Outfielder Jason Dubois needs to get Baker's attention with his bat once Cactus League play opens Thursday."You don't even know he's around half the time," Baker said. "He's extremely quiet."If Dave Kelton outplays Dubois this spring, he could have the edge in making the team."Dubois has options and Kelton doesn't, so we have a decision to make at the end of spring training," Baker said.Let's see

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1109538923801750402005-02-27T13:07:00.000-08:002005-02-27T13:15:23.803-08:00

Interesting news regarding who is going to play where. One not surprising, the other pretty surprising. First off Hairston it looks like will be the back up OFer to Holly.Like the small clip says this is not good news for Dubois. But who in their right mind actually thought Dubois would even sniff any significant playing time with Baker as our manager? The other little news is Ryan Dempster being

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1108634680181279182005-02-17T01:46:00.000-08:002005-02-17T02:04:40.183-08:00

I will be running a Rotissere style fantasy baseball league again this year. My second place (or was it 3rd?) finish will be avenged. Prior deciding to sit on the disable list most of the year and Johan Santana throwing like Farnsworth will not hold me back again, lol! Again I ask for people who will stick around for the whole season and who will show up on draft day. Draft day is a hell of a lot

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1108247115904351512005-02-12T13:33:00.000-08:002005-02-12T14:25:15.906-08:00

I have been lazy the last week and failed to comment on the Farnsworth trade. I can't really bring anything new to the table to discuss about the trade, only that I am glad he is gone. Tired of wondering whether the bad or good Farnsworth would show up from game to game. Tired of hearing all the clueless Cub fans saying he should be our closer because he can throw 100 MPH. These are the same Cub

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1107661303674800372005-02-05T19:21:00.000-08:002005-02-05T19:41:43.673-08:00

The Tiger's have signed Magglio Ordonez... The Detroit Tigers snared the last remaining premiere free agent of the offseason, agreeing to a $75 million, five-year contract with outfielder Magglio Ordonez, a baseball source said Saturday. Ordonez's deal could be worth up to $105 million over seven seasons, the source told the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. Oh, but the Tigers

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1107640251329174482005-02-05T13:37:00.000-08:002005-02-05T13:50:51.330-08:00

Yep time to get rid of Kyle Farnsworth now... Farnsworth could be dealt for another major-league reliever, and other scenarios have the Cubs landing two or three prospects for the strong-armed but enigmatic 28-year-old. If the Cubs are silly enough to think they will get two or three prospects for Farnsworth, then he will remain a Cub. Why do the Cubs think they can get so much in return?

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1107583777109827292005-02-04T21:59:00.000-08:002005-02-04T22:09:37.110-08:00

The Cubs Blogger Army is multiplying like rabbits. This time last year I think the CBA was second behind the Yankee's in total blogs, with around 30. Now there are 82? My god. And the Redsox are are all the way up to 73 blogs. I can understand Redsox fans wanting to blog more after a World Series win. But why are there more Cubs bloggers now? Maybe they are a tad upset about last season and

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1107536016396187442005-02-04T08:42:00.000-08:002005-02-04T08:53:36.396-08:00

I think this is the first article I have seen saying Baker should be held accountable in 2005. Dayn Perry also channels alot of the ideas I express. As for Baker, he was derelict in his duties by not speaking to Sosa since Oct. 4 of last year. By no means is Sosa blameless in this flap, but it's Baker's job to extinguish mini-controversies of this nature, not allow them to fester. The only

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1107407328306579382005-02-02T19:56:00.000-08:002005-02-02T21:30:17.203-08:00

Burnitz is a Cub. Doesn't get much worse than that. Another off-season of bright promise with high profile free agents and the Cubs manage again to come up empty handed in upgrading the offense. You really feel like an ass when you state on multiple occasions that Cubs will not sign Magglio, Drew, or Beltran and then it becomes a reality. I would rather the Cubs prove me wrong. But I am not

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1107244611138250182005-01-31T23:35:00.000-08:002005-01-31T23:56:51.136-08:00

Baltimore would pay just $5 million of Sosa’s $17 million salary this year, with the Cubs paying $12 million. The Orioles would assume responsibility for the 2006 option, which Baltimore would be able to buy out for $4.5 million. In addition, Chicago would remain responsible for the $3.5 million severance pay called for in Sosa’s contract, which must be given to the seven-time All-Star within 30

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1107232835478042492005-01-31T20:24:00.000-08:002005-01-31T20:42:40.323-08:00

I get tired of arguing with the we must have Aubrey Huff lovers. What most people miss is Huff isn't a very good OFer. He is better suited to 3b or 1b. Tampa tried it for about 100 games in 2003 and it really went badly. He was showing no signs of picking up the position so the Ray's finally scrapped that idea. In reality Huff isn't very good at any position. His more natural position is 3rd

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1107155780514589392005-01-30T22:53:00.000-08:002005-01-30T23:16:20.513-08:00

How bad is this deal for the Cubs? And how good of a deal is this for the Orioles? Flying Orioles breaks it down... The Cubs are handing the O’s $10 million, or more than half of Sammy Sosa’s $17 million salary for 2005. The minor leaguers given up are Dave Crouthers and Mike Fontenot, two players that would never have cracked the Orioles’ starting lineup anytime in the near future. Oh, and

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1107109163390282812005-01-30T10:07:00.000-08:002005-01-30T10:46:06.253-08:00

Congrats to the Iraqi people on giving the finger to the anti-democracy people. Voter turnout is being reported at way over the expected levels. Only mild violence at voter areas with some 25 Iraqi's killed. Not nearly the death and blood shed expected by many on the left. Another step forward for Iraq while the doom and gloomers wanted this election delayed. This is why we are fighting, look

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1107029154043636472005-01-29T11:57:00.001-08:002005-01-29T12:05:54.043-08:00

If the Sosa deal is making you happy or sad this is sure to make any Cub fan jump off a cliff... He's still a free agent, but a source indicated the Cubs passed on having outfielder Jay Gibbons included in the pending deal with Baltimore because they are close to signing a free-agent outfielder. Oh so that means the Cubs are hot on the heals of Magglio Ordonez? Umm no not exactly. When the

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1106979492046877142005-01-28T21:56:00.000-08:002005-01-28T22:54:27.500-08:00

Well it looks like the Cubs finally did it... Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa will be traded to the Baltimore Orioles for infielder Jerry Hairston and at least two minor-leaguers, pending physicals and approval from commissioner Bud Selig and the players' association. The kicker... The Cubs would pay a substantial part of Sosa's $17 million salary this season, major-league executives told

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1106811184136471972005-01-26T23:21:00.000-08:002005-01-26T23:33:04.136-08:00

If you want any more proof of the self destruction of the Democratic Party, you need look no further than the point man Robert Byrd in the opposition to Condolezza Rice being appointed Seceratary of State. "I have stood on this Senate floor more times than I can count to defend the prerogatives of this institution and the separate but equal – with emphasis on the word "equal" – powers of the

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1106768603495770012005-01-26T11:38:00.000-08:002005-01-26T11:43:23.496-08:00

I was looking through some old articles on the Cub Reporter and came across a Patterson post from Feb 11th 2004 written by Neil that sums up what I was trying to explain in my earlier post about Patterson being a good option at the top of the order... 2 points: 1. Does 'working the count' only apply to lead-off hitters in Dusty's book? If so then it's too bad Hee Seop Choi was so tall. 2.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1106728233707005882005-01-25T22:30:00.000-08:002005-01-26T00:49:55.340-08:00

#1 Corey Patterson - Not the popular place people want to see him, but I am not as upset as most people. I hate the freaking strikeouts and I am a bigger stickler for OBP at the top of the order, but I do like the other aspects that Patterson's skills bring to the lineup. Even if he get's on at a .320 clip Patterson will score 100+ runs easy. I hated Grudz leading off, the man was slower than a

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1106517154472282782005-01-23T13:28:00.000-08:002005-01-23T13:52:34.473-08:00

Some interesting questions answered in this article... Question: How might you treat the Sammy Sosa situation differently this year and not keep him high in the batting order if he doesn't deserve it? Baker: No. 1, I've got to talk to Sammy first in person. As far as where Sammy hits in the order, I think he does deserve a certain amount of respect. I'm going to give him an opportunity to fail.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1106326889374541092005-01-21T08:54:00.000-08:002005-01-21T09:01:29.373-08:00

I told you I don't trust Dusty Baker one bit... Baker said, barring a "blockbuster" deal, Hollandsworth "will get most of the playing time" in left, with 25-year-old Jason Dubois seeing some action. Baker took a less definitive stance on the closer situation. A recipe for disaster. But I am not surprised.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1106114990470274722005-01-18T21:27:00.000-08:002005-01-18T22:09:50.470-08:00

Well the Cubs have come to terms with Barrett, Patterson, and Farnsworth to avoid arbitration. The Cubs signed catcher Michael Barrett to a three-year, $12 million contract on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration and preventing Barrett from becoming a free agent next winter. Hmmm, I guess I am fine with that. Barrett held up, and hit better than I ever expected last season. I am still not entirely

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1106085840481157432005-01-18T13:19:00.000-08:002005-01-18T14:04:00.480-08:00

Lot's of interesting nuggets of information in the latest article from the Sun-Times... Who's the closer if one doesn't come in a trade? "We feel a lot of times the most successful closers are people converted from other roles," Hendry said. '"We are going to give Ryan Dempster an opportunity to do that in spring training, if nothing else changes." Shake that magic bottle! Same tired old Cubs

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1105855619673169892005-01-15T21:50:00.000-08:002005-01-15T22:08:05.146-08:00

Have to agree with this article. Henry Blanco. That's all general manager Jim Hendry has been able to add to the Cubs' roster this off-season. A reserve catcher. Sad, but true. Whatever plan Hendry had after the disastrous end that resulted in a third-place finish last season, it isn't working. Remember all that talk about how players would be breaking down the Wrigley Field doors to play

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1105766501941682092005-01-14T20:11:00.000-08:002005-01-14T21:21:41.940-08:00

Cubs Chronicle responds to a article from Rick Morissey about the Cubs not pushing hard enough for Beltran. While Cubs Chronicle says he is glad the Cubs did not go as far as the Mets, the whole point Morissey tries to make is that the Cubs were delusional into thinking a top flight free agent would actually want to come to Chicago. They kept waiting for him to demonstrate interest in them.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1105426595485679772005-01-10T22:48:00.000-08:002005-01-10T22:56:35.486-08:00

The Cubs made their blockbuster move of the free agent period and picked up Stephen Randolph from the Diamondbacks for a PTBNL. Randolph is basically horrible. He walks as many guys as he strikes out and looks like he will be the token left-handed just so the team can have a left handed. I dont agree with And Another Things! take... But hey, the guy throws lefthanded. Unless the PTBNL is a

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1105385611101389122005-01-10T11:15:00.000-08:002005-01-10T11:33:31.100-08:00

Sometimes it is hard to express and write down what your thinking. I guess my whole take on Beltran going to the Mets kind of reminds me of the TV show "Survivor." At some point during the season the game players usually get some money and sit around bidding on food items. Usually their is one person hoarding his money for the really big food item. Problem is the other players are willing to

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1105343094420505682005-01-09T23:01:00.000-08:002005-01-09T23:44:54.420-08:00

Another disappointing off-season is about to occur in Cubs land. With Beltran reportedly going to sign with the Mets that leaves Magglio Ordonez as the only option left on the market to dramatically improve the Cubs offense. And gosh golly gee, Scott Boras gets to focus all his attention now on getting Ordonez the most money he can. The Cubs couldn't of just tried to negotiate with Ordonez while

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1104984502629942912005-01-05T19:56:00.000-08:002005-01-05T20:08:22.630-08:00

Well it seems the rumor of the Cubs actually sending out an offer to Beltran is true. But it looks more like a public relations move to say they tried, when they fail to sign him. The main reason I believe this is because the Cubs don't even want to meet with Beltran himself. But the Cubs and Boras have discussed only broad parameters, and Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has not spoken with

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1104702125102956322005-01-02T13:40:00.000-08:002005-01-02T13:42:05.103-08:00

And Another Thing! finds out who the idiot is writing an article on why Ryne Sandberg should not be a Hall of Famer. Basically the staff writer keeps repeating over and over because Sandberg's uniform isn't dirty he can't be a great fielder. Yeahhhhhhhhh, ohhhhhhh kkkkkkkkkkkk. Great fielders, Hall of Fame fielders, get to balls. For Sandberg fans, let me translate: That means diving for balls

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1104475643128681322004-12-30T21:21:00.000-08:002004-12-30T22:49:11.286-08:00

The Cub Reporter's latest post addresses the point that the Cubs don't have a skimpy payroll and for people to stop blaming money for the reasons why Beltran can't be signed by the Cubs. While it is true the Cubs have one of the top payrolls in the league they blow money on bad contracts which bloat the over all payroll of this team. For example these are players on the team that could be

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1104432738713864352004-12-30T10:41:00.000-08:002004-12-30T10:52:18.713-08:00

Some days I have tons of stuff to write about, other days none at all. Anyways, View from the Bleachers weighs in on Carlos Beltran. Joe makes a good case for signing Maggs instead of Beltran and sums it up in the comments section... The whole point to signing Mags is because we're not going to be able to trade Sosa. That is why I say keep him and take a chance on Ordonez. He's never been an

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1104430314641654742004-12-30T09:57:00.000-08:002004-12-30T10:11:54.640-08:00

The Tribune's latest article helps prove, a little bit, my theory on Jim Hendry's poor job as a GM. The latest article is discussing that the Cubs are still in the running for Carlos Beltran but also mentions Greg Maddux. Boras insisted nothing should be read into the fact that the Cubs aren't making plans to meet with him and Beltran together. He said he respects the Cubs ability to "fly below

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1104393147937847362004-12-29T23:34:00.000-08:002004-12-29T23:52:27.936-08:00

I have to get my Ivan Rodriguez fetish out of my system before the new year. I am still mightly pissed at the Cubs for dissing him. I remember the big fuss was the Cubs would not sign him to a 3-4 year deal. Pudge brought his demands down and was willing to accept a 3 year deal at $10 million dollars a year. But no way were the Cubs going to pay Pudge $10 million a year for any amount of years.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1104376077474677942004-12-29T18:51:00.000-08:002004-12-29T19:07:57.473-08:00

The Seattle Mariners may need to deal Randy Winn in order to get more pitching Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi has said that in order to step into the bidding for a highly paid starter, he might have to move payroll. With rookie Jeremy Reed penciled in as an outfield starter, Randy Winn could be expendable and his $4 million salary put toward pitching. Bavasi said last week he won't move

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1104307798999581942004-12-28T23:44:00.000-08:002004-12-29T00:09:59.000-08:00

View from the Bleachers is running his annual best Cubs blog of 2004 and it seems I have made the eight blogs up for contention. I will run down my favorites... Ivy Chat - Always like to read what he writes. I don't agree with some things he writes about, but it is fun to get a different take on things. And Another Thing! - I probably put him down as the best pure blogger. He attends games,

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1104269876044829552004-12-28T13:21:00.000-08:002004-12-28T13:37:56.043-08:00

The Cubs are slowly leaving signals of not upgrading the offense again for the 3rd straight year. With all this uncertainty in the air, it should not come as a shock that Hendry said Monday after signing outfielder Todd Hollandsworth to a one-year contract that he "would be comfortable if the season began tomorrow'' with a starting outfield of Sosa in right, Corey Patterson in center and

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1103757165529941522004-12-22T15:03:00.000-08:002004-12-23T12:42:42.000-08:00

When Wade Miller was made a free agent the Cubs should of jumped all over him. Instead Wade Miller jumped over to the Redsox. Miller, who was 7-7 with a 3.35 ERA in 15 starts before going on the disabled list June 29 with a season-ending rotator cuff injury, passed a physical exam Wednesday in Boston and agreed to a contract with a $1.5 million base salary and $3 million in incentives. Agent Bob

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1103667247025106542004-12-21T14:09:00.000-08:002004-12-22T10:00:19.430-08:00

I know this isn't baseball related (never stopped me before) but this is too good to pass up. For the last several months scientists have been baffled at how their little Mars rover has actually increased its energy performance when it should be going down. An unexplained phenomenon akin to a space-borne car wash has boosted the performance of one of the two U.S. rovers probing the surface

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1103612258467271212004-12-20T22:29:00.000-08:002004-12-20T22:57:38.466-08:00

You know its a depressing off-season when the sports writers are getting down. Mark Mulder goes to the Cardinals, and Sammy Sosa immediately comes to mind. As in, had the Cubs dealt Sosa by now, they might be the National League Central team making the big offseason splash. Instead, they barely are treading water as the biggest bargaining chips keep splashing down around them. Lets not forget

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1103511243966618542004-12-19T18:48:00.000-08:002004-12-19T18:54:03.966-08:00

Moises Alou spun his car out in the Domincan Republican Sunday night. But that does not really matter to me, only this one sentence does. Although Alou topped 100 RBI for the fifth time and said he wanted to return to Chicago, the Cubs were looking for a younger and cheaper player as they remake their roster after a late-season collapse that cost them a playoff spot. Younger and cheaper? Says

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1103324964358541002004-12-17T14:57:00.000-08:002004-12-17T15:09:24.356-08:00

The Cub Reporter has a nice article on whether Renteria was a good signing for the Sox. My take on Renteria… If the price is $10-million per at four years, I’m not disappointed he’s gone. I think he’s an overrated player. Take away his 2003 season, which looks aberrant when considered with the balance of his statistical record, and he’s a tick above league average for the position with an

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1102923808232811862004-12-12T23:33:00.000-08:002004-12-12T23:43:28.233-08:00

From Richie Sexson playing left field to Kerry Wood as the closer. According to a team that has spoken with the Cubs, Chicago has at least kicked around the possibility of trying out Kerry Wood as a closer, if they can't obtain one elsewhere. "You need a closer," Baker said. "Where would the Dodgers be without [Eric] Gagne? Where would the Yankees be without Mariano Rivera? That's mandatory in

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1102829288970203642004-12-11T21:22:00.000-08:002004-12-11T21:28:08.970-08:00

Northside Lounge points out the Cubs may be interested in Richie Sexson. Chris Yarbrough pointed out this story that has the Cubs supposedly after Richie Sexson out at the winter meetings. "But we've already got a first baseman," you might be saying. Ah, but the story is saying he would play left field. Something is going to come out of left field like the Derek Lee trade but I dont think

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1102813932619199742004-12-11T17:02:00.000-08:002004-12-11T17:12:12.620-08:00

Phil Rogers has a nice article on the Cubs getting Beltran... Tribune Co. should allow him to do exactly that. Beltran is an exceptional talent who will mean more in terms of winning than the one-dimensional Sosa ever has. Playing together, alongside Garciaparra, Ramirez and Lee, Beltran and Sosa should keep the Cubs from wasting their state-of-the-art starting rotation, as they did in 2004.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1102811751932433592004-12-11T16:33:00.000-08:002004-12-11T16:57:44.663-08:00

Looks like Danny Kolb will be traded, but not to the Cubs. Atlanta is supposed to announce any minute they have traded for him. I will be interested to see what the Brewers got in return. What are the odds Juan Cruz is in this deal and he becomes the closer for Milwaukee? Update: The Milwaukee Brewers have traded All-Star closer Dan Kolb to the Braves for Jose Capellan, the team's top

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1102569557242322992004-12-08T21:15:00.000-08:002004-12-08T21:19:17.243-08:00

I thought Matt Morris would get more than this... Morris agreed to a one-year deal with the Cardinals on Tuesday. Morris is guaranteed $2.5 million and can earn another $4.5 million in incentives. The funny part... He turned down a two-year, $15.5 million deal before the season, figuring he could get more in free agency. Then he posted his worst season in the majors (4.72 ERA), although he did

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1102488059337258052004-12-07T22:29:00.000-08:002004-12-07T22:40:59.336-08:00

Cubs signed a 3rd person today, Henry Blanco. The Cubs capped off a busy day by signing Henry Blanco, perhaps the most coveted backup catcher on the free-agent market, Sporting News has learned. Blanco, who agreed to a two-year contract, will replace Paul Bako as the backup to Michael Barrett. One of the game's finest throwing catchers, he worked with Cubs right-hander Greg Maddux previously

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1102486918323804752004-12-07T21:55:00.000-08:002004-12-07T22:21:58.323-08:00

I used to live in Arizona and am a huge Arizona Wildcats fan. I hate schools like USC and Cal but when it comes to bowl games it is all about Pac-10 pride. I am slowly being innoculated into the Big Ten Conference and the Iowa Hawkeyes now that I live in Iowa. But the travesty that happened to Cal is down right criminal. First you have Cal beating teams by an average of 23 points a game and

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1102478314090577982004-12-07T19:02:00.000-08:002004-12-07T19:58:34.090-08:00

Nomar Garciaparra: Nomar Garciaparra agreed Tuesday to an $8 million, one-year contract that could rise to $11 million with performance bonuses. The Cubs also agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year deal with second baseman Todd Walker that includes an option for 2006. The Cubs' option is at $2.5 million, and Walker has vesting options at $2.5 million and $2.75 million based on plate appearances.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1102124926965679982004-12-03T17:44:00.000-08:002004-12-03T17:48:46.966-08:00

The Cubs dodged a bullet when Kenny Lofton was traded today. The New York Yankees began reshaping their roster Friday, sending outfielder Kenny Lofton and cash to the Philadelphia Phillies for setup man Felix Rodriguez and nearing a trade to reacquire Mike Stanton from the Mets. On the flip side it is one less thing Jim Hendry can fall back on if he misses out on getting one of the big three OF

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1102110371571921402004-12-03T13:27:00.000-08:002004-12-03T17:34:20.476-08:00

I loved the little rant by Smitty at Hoosier Daddy? that I had to reply on my own. The whole little pissing contest is erased off his site like it never existed. I find it odd that a person complaining about PC ****sticks does not have the same integrity to keep up what he posts. The beauty of the internet is things rarely disappear. My comment to that post is erased and lost as far as I know.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1102083927918577552004-12-03T06:09:00.000-08:002004-12-03T06:25:27.916-08:00

It now looks like Barry Bonds was on the juice but denies he never knew what he was taking. Bonds told a U.S. grand jury that he used undetectable steriods known as "the cream" and "the clear," which he received from personal trainer Greg Anderson during the 2003 season. According to Bonds, the trainer told him the substances were the nutritional supplement flaxseed oil and a pain-relieving balm

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1102045871121430392004-12-02T19:39:00.000-08:002004-12-02T19:51:11.123-08:00

I love to hear this... If the Cubs aren't able to sign CF Carlos Beltran, they may attempt to trade for CF Kenny Lofton of the Yankees. Yeah, that sounds like a typical Cubs move.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1102021670813098752004-12-02T13:32:00.000-08:002004-12-02T13:07:50.813-08:00

Well it looks like Giambi was on the juice. New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi injected himself with human growth hormone in 2003 and used steroids for at least three seasons, according to his grand jury testimony that was reviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle. So far the reaction is saddness that Giambi was using steroids. I am pretty harsh when it comes to using steroids in baseball. I

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1101856821302113202004-11-30T13:51:00.000-08:002004-11-30T15:20:21.303-08:00

Looks like Armando Benitez will be signing with the San Fransico Giants. The San Francisco Giants have reached a tentative agreement with closer Armando Benitez on a three-year contract worth $21 million, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. I am not in agreement with The Cub Reporter and some of the comments that it is a bad deal. What do you expect a guy coming off a 1.29 ERA season to

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1101783630287217402004-11-29T18:39:00.000-08:002004-11-29T19:00:30.286-08:00

View from the Bleachers has a post about good off season signs. I kind of take one quote as a bad sign. "I still love to play. I feel like I can play every day and hit over 30 homers and 100 RBI, so I'd like to sign a two or three-year deal with someone," said Alou, whose father, Felipe, is manager of the San Francisco Giants. "I wanted to return to Chicago, but there's a bunch of other places

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1101099714097015392004-11-21T20:52:00.000-08:002004-11-21T21:09:15.916-08:00

Just one simple sentence of dread in the opening of Ken Rosenthals latest article... The Cubs are getting closer on a deal with free-agent second baseman Tony Womack, a move that would deprive the Cardinals of not only their second baseman, but also their leadoff hitter. I am sure the Cardinals will be all broken up inside in not getting Tony Womack back. If the Cubs are getting closer on a

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1101069537655907522004-11-21T13:29:00.000-08:002004-11-21T12:38:57.656-08:00

Good to hear Milwaukee telling the Cubs we are not interested in trading Kolb. The whole premise that Milwaukee could not afford Kolb hence why the Cubs should trade for him was ridiculous. The man is only making $1.5 million and might make $2-3 million next year. The Brewers can easily afford it. It was fantasy the day the rumor started and laughable when the Cubs approached Milwaukee about it..

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100988779313369072004-11-20T13:57:00.000-08:002004-11-20T14:12:59.313-08:00

I am not happy about Glendon Rusch being sign for around $2 million a season. Far too much money being handed to him for being decent for a half season as a starter. This is what I hate about Cubs fans and the Cubs franchise. The Cubs bring in lousy players like Rusch. Then get lucky that he does something good for a small amount of time and totally disregard his past. To reward him the

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100939335446106482004-11-19T23:51:00.000-08:002004-11-20T00:28:55.446-08:00

The big news in sports is the Pacers/Pistons game brawl involving the fans. One of the ugliest incidents in sports history. Long story short: Ron Artest fouled Ben Wallace hard. Wallace took exception and shoved Artest and both benches cleared. While things were starting to calm down a fan hit Artest (who was lying down on the scorer's table) square with a beer. Artest, predictably, went

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100934763357029222004-11-19T23:03:00.000-08:002004-11-19T23:12:43.356-08:00

The Cubs appear to be in no hurry to sign either Cabrera or Renteria. They're still expressing interest in re-signing incumbent Nomar Garciaparra. -- Daily Herald Cabrera and Renteria are being targeted in Boston in case one or the other falls through. The Cubs better hope they get Garciaparra signed or else they may end up with nothing. The Cubs should be having negotiations with Renteria and

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100929993820463512004-11-19T21:23:00.000-08:002004-11-19T21:55:05.140-08:00

All sorts of interesting little bits in Jayson Stark's Rumblings and Grumblings. An executive of one team said that after examining the medical reports on Percival's shoulder, "we were scared to death." Two other teams said they weren't prepared to offer more than one year, with an option -- not because Percival can't still be effective, but because he has to be used so carefully. Already

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100898687181094172004-11-19T13:33:00.000-08:002004-11-19T13:11:27.183-08:00

View from the Bleachers mirrors some of the concerns I have about this free agency period. Referring to positions needed filling thru free agency... What's scariest is that, apart from a little bit of a risk at 5th starter, they have NOTHING in the system to fill these positions... I like Hendry, but it appears that he has painted himself into a corner this year. He's GOT to fill these needs

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100816923113784292004-11-18T13:40:00.000-08:002004-11-19T08:46:25.336-08:00

This is probably more a Barry Rozner fantasy than actually reality But hey he is entitled to it. • The Cubs trade Sosa to the Mets. • The Mets send Mike Piazza to the Dodgers and Cliff Floyd to the Cubs. • The Dodgers move Shawn Green to the Cubs. And all but wraps up the Cubs free agency period, because now they dont need to go after Ordonez, Beltran, or Drew if that deal went down.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100804484447726902004-11-18T10:44:00.000-08:002004-11-18T11:05:25.610-08:00

It appears the Cubs did exactly what I thought they would do. Talk about being surprised. The Indians, scheduled for a visit on Thursday, and the Cubs, scheduled for a Wrigley Field date on Friday, were left in the cold without making official contract offers, or even buying dinner at Harry Caray's. Were the Cubs upset? Probably more disappointed than angry. General manager Jim Hendry had no

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100747085148549172004-11-17T18:38:00.000-08:002004-11-17T19:04:45.150-08:00

Troy Percivals signing with the Tigers mirrors what happened with Pudge Rodriguez. Chicagosports.com had this article. Percival, who has saved more than 30 games in each of the last seven seasons for Anaheim, will visit Wrigley Field to meet with Cubs management, then return to California to make a choice by Thanksgiving weekend. Less than 24hrs later Percival is signing with the Tigers before

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100640623151229212004-11-16T13:45:00.000-08:002004-11-16T13:30:23.153-08:00

I was reading through Foxsports.com hot stove updates for the Cubs and came across this... Despite posturing to the contrary, trade talks involving Sammy Sosa are ongoing. The Cubs have discussed a Sosa-for-Joey Gathright deal with the D-Rays. The A's have also expressed interest, and there's still the Mets. Who is Joey Gathright? Drafted by the Rays in the 2001 draft (32nd round) and signed

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100479148495582612004-11-14T16:20:00.000-08:002004-11-14T16:39:08.496-08:00

I have some time on my hands and decided to do some link maintenance. Added A Cub Fan Rants. I like how he has incorporated images into his posts. His writing and site design are very clean. Time will tell how long he will be around, but go ahead and give him a read. Updated link for View from the Bleachers. Changed name of 94 years and Counting to 96 Years and Counting. You will have to

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100467327035077702004-11-14T13:09:00.000-08:002004-11-14T13:22:07.036-08:00

No not by the Cubs, but by the Giants for 3 years $12.25 million. Vizquel was supposedly high on the Cubs radar, his signing means one less option on the market and forces the Cubs to look at Renteria or Nomar for a serious option at SS. Aurilla and Guzman are still out there but neither are productive enough to be considered starters.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100377875685502252004-11-13T13:19:00.000-08:002004-11-13T12:34:55.203-08:00

The Cubs and Mets met for a second time over the GM meetings to discuss a possible Sosa trade. The fact that the teams met again demonstrates an increased level of seriousness, because the first confab between teams here at the general managers' meetings usually involves tossing out trial balloons. The second meeting indicates a player match and a mutual willingness to pursue a deal. Again the

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100380680774306472004-11-13T13:01:00.000-08:002004-11-13T13:18:00.773-08:00

I was reading Phil Rogers column and he had this at the end... Among the free agents who are believed to interest the Cubs: Troy Percival: The 35-year-old right-hander saved 313 games over the last nine years with Anaheim, including 33 this year, but the Angels are turning his spot over to Francisco Rodriguez. He is the only proven closer on the market known to interest Hendry. Armando Benitez

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100285126360147842004-11-12T10:05:00.000-08:002004-11-12T10:45:26.360-08:00

I was in the middle of this post yesterday and my MSN crashed so I lost all of my work. I have a little free time on campus so I will try it again. I can't really name off the big time free agents that I would want to be a Cub this off-season because we will be lucky to get one out of the crop that is available. And besides those players have been speculated to death already. So I will name off

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100229931302639822004-11-11T18:59:00.000-08:002004-11-11T19:25:31.303-08:00

Today is veterans day, most people probably don't know that because the media is gushing over Yasser Arrafats death. That man deserves not one moment of mourning in his sad existence. He is a terrorist nothing more. He is in fact the father of modern terrorism. Plane hi-jackings, passenger ship hi-jackings, killing of Isreali athletes at the Olympics, suicide bombers and machine gunners targeting

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100193809113188362004-11-11T09:13:00.000-08:002004-11-11T09:23:29.113-08:00

The manager who should of been the one to take over the Chicago Cubs, Buck Showalter, won AL manager of the year for getting a bad Texas squad to win 89 games. How bad was it? Coming off four straight last-place finishes in the AL West, Texas cut its payroll in half and wasn't predicted to do well. But the Rangers rebounded and remained in contention until the final week of the season. Knowing

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100193074733377882004-11-11T09:02:00.000-08:002004-11-11T09:11:14.733-08:00

You cant make this stuff up. Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest said Wednesday that he asked coach Rick Carlisle for time off because of a busy schedule that included promoting a soon-to-be released rap album, which led to his two-game benching. I guess being a pro-athlete and making millions isn't good enough anymore. Artest said that he asked Carlisle for as much as a month off to heal his

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100192316736965542004-11-11T08:47:00.000-08:002004-11-11T08:58:36.736-08:00

Instant Replay is on the agenda at the GM meetings. Now, after a pennant race and postseason dotted with reversed rulings, baseball will get another chance to see who else wants to give replay a look. I think it is a bad idea. Umpires add character to the game of baseball. 99% of the time umpires do an outstanding job of calling the game correctly. What is next, letting Qwest Tech replace the

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1100025201223691442004-11-09T10:20:00.000-08:002004-11-09T10:33:21.223-08:00

Cool, very cool that Bob Brenly was hired to replace Steve Stone today. When told Monday that Brenly was getting the job, Baker said, "I've known B.B. for a long time—we were together in San Francisco. He's a good broadcaster, a good baseball guy, and he's honest. He'll do a great job." Gee, wasn't Steve Stone a good broadcaster, good baseball guy, and was honest? Hilarious Baker is saying

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1099939560688839932004-11-08T10:38:00.000-08:002004-11-08T10:46:00.690-08:00

It looks like the Chicago media is leading the charge to trade Sosa. I guess making up news stories to hurt the President didn't work out so well they should try for smaller fish. The report said the Cubs were "among the first teams to contact the Dodgers about acquiring Green," and that Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta and Cubs GM Jim Hendry "planned to pursue talks" during the general

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1099810557039725122004-11-06T22:31:00.000-08:002004-11-06T23:08:39.946-08:00

About possibly being dealt to the Marlins... The Cubs would need to pay the bulk of the $43 million that Sosa would earn through 2006 if he were dealt; they could start by taking back Marlins right fielder Juan Encarnacion and his $4.45 million salary for '05. The Marlins, though, can offer prospects in exchange for cash. Adding a slugging outfielder would enable them to move right fielder

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1099765283814376362004-11-06T09:58:00.000-08:002004-11-06T10:21:23.813-08:00

Jay Mariotti has a good article on why neither the Cubs nor the Whiteseox will get Carlos Beltran. You are about to hear extraordinary layers of b.s. about the Cubs and Sox entering the high-stakes craps game for Beltran, who emerged with sweet timing in October as baseball's finest all-around player. Sox general manager Ken Williams, armed with a Minnesota payroll in a major metropolis, has

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1099722437334091152004-11-05T21:58:00.000-08:002004-11-05T22:27:17.333-08:00

No not Bob Brenly but Wally Backman 4 days after they hired him. Arizona's management had been unaware of Backman's problems until they were reported in Tuesday's editions of The New York Times. Diamondbacks officials said they failed to do a criminal or financial background check on Backman. "It's obviously a mistake on our part to have made a decision without having done the proper

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1099720551543527312004-11-05T21:44:00.000-08:002004-11-05T21:55:51.543-08:00

With so many Cubs fans pinning their hopes on signing Carlos Beltran don't read any further... Houston Astros free agent center fielder Carlos Beltran is seeking a 10-year contract, his agent told a television station on Thursday. Yeah, that puts him at the top of the Cubs wish list I am sure. The article leaves a glimmer of hope. Only a handful of teams will be able to afford the 27-year-old

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1099719804281421802004-11-05T21:20:00.000-08:002004-11-05T21:43:24.283-08:00

The Cubs did the smart thing today and signed Neifi Perez... The Cubs agreed to a $1 million, one-year deal with Neifi Perez, who could earn an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses. Ok I was being sarcastic. 1 million dollars? And a chance at an extra 1.5 million? Talk about throwing money into a black hole. I am a pretty good fielder who can't hit his way out of a paper sack. Can I

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1099588296450538242004-11-04T09:03:00.000-08:002004-11-04T09:11:36.450-08:00

I find this silly, but I thought A-rod to NYY was silly also.... As for Garciaparra, a report in the New York Daily News quoted a "friend" as saying he would be willing to sign with the Yankees and move to second base so he could play with the other two major shortstops, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. Ummmm how bout the Cubs sign Renteria and Nomar then? Any other team and I would just dismiss

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1099507963156534972004-11-03T10:04:00.000-08:002004-11-03T13:17:59.190-08:00

Being one of the few Bush supporters in the sea of blue Kerry supporters from the Cubs blogger Army I am happy to see George Bush re-elected as President. And re-elected by a wide margin in the popular vote as well. Kerry has conceded the election, and my one wish from him is that he pursues terrorism issues just as hard when he returns to the Senate as he said he would do as President. He has

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1099460816950168792004-11-02T21:39:00.000-08:002004-11-02T21:46:56.950-08:00

Haven't seen many blogs comment on Bob Brenly possibly being hired.. The Cubs know they need a proven, high-profile TV analyst to replace highly popular Steve Stone, and Bob Brenly appears to be at the top of their wish list. The former Arizona manager confirmed Friday that he has been contacted about filling the analyst vacancy in the WGN-Ch. 9 booth. Brenly has ties to the Cubs, having worked

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1099386041772494872004-11-02T01:13:00.000-08:002004-11-02T01:00:41.773-08:00

That the Cubs had a very good leadoff man this season? No it wasn't Corey Patterson or even Mark Grudz. It was the player that the Cubs refused to play when Grudz returned from injury. It was Todd Walker. Remember when I said that if you want to lose you play Grudz and if you want to win you play Walker? So it is no surprise to me when Grudz returned that the Cubs offense went into the tank. It

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1099302216486589722004-10-31T23:30:00.000-08:002004-11-01T01:43:36.486-08:00

Every time Kerry talks about Afghanistan he looks like an idiot... Within days of Sept. 11, the clueless airhead president that inhabits Michael Moore's films and Tina Brown's dinner parties had done this: forced Pakistan into alliance with us, isolated the Taliban, secured military cooperation from Afghanistan's northern neighbors, and authorized a radical war plan involving just a handful of

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1099096654717737092004-10-29T14:43:00.000-07:002004-10-29T17:37:34.716-07:00

I know you can't have a good trade every time you do one. But the Cruz for Pratt trade is easily the dumbest trade of the year for the Cubs. I guess it just proves the point to keep Jim Hendry as far as possible away from the "real" GM's in baseball. The Atlanta organization practically raped us in the Cruz trade. It's not to hard to ask but could we of atleast gotten a prospect who could

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1099061150833117922004-10-29T06:54:00.000-07:002004-10-29T07:50:21.000-07:00

Congratulations are in order for the 2004 Chicago Cubs. You have now officially gone down as the most hated team in the history of the franchise! Lets have a round of applause for this collection of whiners, malcontents, and idiots! Yesterday Steve Stone resigned and will not be back next year. Stone, 57, didn't disclose his reasons in an open letter he wrote to Cubs fans, saying "I do not want

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1098984865312143622004-10-28T09:47:00.000-07:002004-10-28T10:34:25.313-07:00

While I am still in the camp that Beltran is a pimp dream to be a Chicago Cub I can still believe the Yankees will end up being his ultimate next stop. People forget that Bernie Williams is about done and I believe he has one more year left. Beltran could easily start in CF with Williams getting about 300-400 AB's coming off the bench. I also have no idea how much longer Sheffeild will continue

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1098937528382387502004-10-27T20:48:00.000-07:002004-10-27T21:25:28.383-07:00

The Redsox just completed the sweep of the Cardinals and winning their first World Championship in 86 years. If your a member of the 2004 World Championship Redsox you should probably consider moving there on a permanent basis. People will clap and cheer for you the rest of your life, and dont ever worry about buying a beer again. The Redsox nation will not allow it, so dont even try.

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1098895452058445602004-10-27T08:59:00.000-07:002004-10-27T09:44:12.056-07:00

Call this an experiment in perception..... If one candidate came out and said that "He would make some sort of community service a prerequisite for graduation from any U.S. high school" who would it be? Or said "Make national service a way of life by requiring mandatory service for high school kids." Feel free to research those statements after you have come to the conclusion. I dont expect

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5560678.post-1098478118614191552004-10-22T13:39:00.000-07:002004-10-22T13:48:38.616-07:00

I was listening to a sports talk radio show and they were discussing what might be in store for game 3 in the World Series when Pedro Martinez pitches. They came to the conclusion that Pedro would not pitch inside and push batters off the plate like he does in the America League because now he has to bat and the opposing pitchers will have a chance for pay back. I laughed when I heard that, and

Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11352655643708987153noreply@blogger.com