December 2006 Archives

It is that time of year....or rather the last day of the year I should say, when everyone rehashes what just took place over the previous 364 days....that is not going to happen here. If you were alive in 2006 and are a Cubs' fan, you know what transpired and other than the feel good story that was Ryan O'Malley, nothing else is really worth repeating.... hopefully those days are long gone from the North Side of Chicago. Like the late, great Satchel Paige said, "Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you."

After a very forgettable 2006 season the Cubs have been in the headlines since October. The next few weeks leading up to the start of Spring Training in mid-February is when the Cubs will add and subtract pieces they feel will make a difference in 2007. Not much has surfaced of late out of the offices at 1060 West Addison, other than the weekly blurb about how close they are to signing Cliff Floyd. In the aftermath of the Barry Zito signing, there is a new/old name in the rumor mill....David Newhan.

I received a very interesting gift this Holiday season from my mother. She got wind of the fact the Cubs were selling bricks as part of their "Brick Paver Program." These bricks will be installed permanently around Wrigley Field causing many folks to peruse two city blocks full of small rectangular-shaped items with a message etched in each one. I received my notice in the mail and have until Sunday to decide what I want my brick to say. The trick is that you are limited to three lines with no more than 15 characters on each line including spaces and punctuation, and invariably the last line is your full name, so you have two lines to get creative. Man, have I had one hell of a time brainstorming, and I am stumped. As you will see below, I have not had any trouble coming up with your "not-so-original" lines. I have also had a good time figuring out what some celebrities might say if they were afforded this opportunity.

Barry Zito to Sign with the San Francisco Giants

Updated - 1:27pm C.T. - According to FoxSports and ESPN Radio, deal includes an option for an 8th year worth $18 million - Deal could end up being worth $144 million dollars

According to a report on ESPN Radio, Peter Gammons is reporting that Barry Zito will sign with the San Francisco Giants. ESPN is reporting the contract will be for 7 years in the $18 million dollar a year range....$126 million dollars.

Baseball has been America's pastime since its inception back in the early 1800's. Baseball has survived World Wars and Major Conflicts, gambling and strikes but the current scandal surrounding the game continues to gain more and more steam as everyday passes. The lines from Field of Dreams ring just as true today as they did when James Earl Jones spoke them nearly 20 years ago, "The one constant through all the years has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time."

Baseball has been under a cloud of controversy for years in regards to its use of performance-enhancing drugs and on Wednesday the game received another shock. According to a report from the Associated Press, "federal investigators can use the names and urine samples of about 100 Major League Baseball players in their steroid probe" after a ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

When I look at the Cubs prospects, I see a lot of hope for the future but no matter how much the scouts say and how many rankings you see you can never be sure how a prospect will pan out. One of the Cubs prospects that has been consistently listed in the top 10 lists is Ryan Harvey. When you look at his stats, his obvious power, and his name, you wonder how he might compare to Ryan Howard, the superstar for the Philadelphia Phillies. When you look at the Minor League stats of both players, you don't see a lot that makes you think Ryan Harvey will be anything like Ryan Howard.

A report in Sunday's edition of the Chicago Sun-Times listed the Top 5 Sport Stories of 2006 in Chicago and the Cubs off-season spending spree was listed at number 3. "Cubs Vow to Improve"....and on paper they have. The Cubs have spent money and in the process have kept most of their farm system in tact. Chances are the 2007 roster for the Cubs is just about set, there will be battles for the last spots on the 25-man roster, which will make for some interesting competition, but all in all Lou Piniella should have a pretty good idea of what he will have to work with come mid-February.

Jim Hendry has created a feeling of excitement amongst the Faithful, now it is up to Lou Piniella to turn a bunch of individuals into a team. Here is a recap from the Holiday weekend, a few roster moves from down on the farm and the latest from around the league....

The excitement that is Christmas is upon us. All of the hustle and bustle and last minute shopping is over and it is time to enjoy the day with family and friends. The Cubs Convention is just around the corner, Spring Training starts in 7 weeks and Opening Day in Cincinnati is 98 short days away.

Merry Christmas from everyone here at the CCO!!!

Jeff Suppan Agrees to a 4-year, $42 million dollar deal with the Milwaukee Brewers on Christmas Eve

According to a report on FoxSports.com from the Associated Press, the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to terms with free agent pitcher Jeff Suppan on a 4-year deal with a club option for a 5th year. A report on ESPN.com has indicated the deals is worth $42 million dollars.

The CCO is just not about the Cubs it is about the Faithful as well....the best fans in professional sports PERIOD. Toward the end of the season I posted a quick note on the site and mentioned that during the off-season the CCO would be running a 'CCO Feedback' column from time to time. Here is the latest entry and if anyone is interested in having a column of their own, feel free to email me at neil@chicagocubsonline.com.

Ron Santo, Bob Brenly and Len Kasper have very good reputations. Nick Schroer sent the following for all to enjoy....