He was Public Enemy #1--so hounded and hunted by the FBI that he underwent drastic plastic surgery to change his appearance. The surgery left him disfigured, but didn't do a very good job of disguising his appearance.
Other bank robbers and gangsters tended to lay low while they were "on the lam," but die-hard Cubs fan Dillinger couldn't stay away from Wrigley Field. In the weeks before he was shot, June and July of 1934, Dillinger attended several games. He went to see them on June 8th, and he went again on June 26th. He was convinced his new face was fooling everyone.
At that June 26th game against the Brooklyn Dodgers, a fan in the stands (Robert Volk from Crown Point) couldn't keep his eyes off the man sitting two seats away from him. There was something familiar about him, but he just couldn't put his finger on it. Was it possible? Was that...no, it couldn't be. It looked like it could have been him. He introduced himself to the man, who shook his hand and introduced himself as Jimmy Lawrence.
A reward was being offered for Dillinger's capture dead or alive, so Volk considered turning him in, but he couldn't be sure. Would John Dillinger really take a chance by going to a Cubs game? Nah, it couldn't be him.
On July 8th Dillinger went to his final Cubs game.
Jim Weaver was on the mound for the Cubs. He was the fifth starter on the team that year, an 11-game winner at season's end. But it wasn't the Cubs pitching that drew fans to the ballpark that year; it was their hitting. Future Hall of Famers KiKi Cuyler and Gabby Hartnett paced the most feared offense in the league. (Photo: 1934 Cubs) They pounded the Pirates that day, 12-3.
The next day the Cubs left on their longest road trip of the season.
They were only three games out of first place on July 22, 1934. That afternoon they played an extra inning game against the Phillies in Philadelphia. Dillinger probably didn't know that the Cubs had blown it in the bottom of the 12th inning because he was in one of the only cool places in Chicago--the Biograph Theater. He was watching the movie "Manhattan Melodrama" with his girlfriend.
When he emerged from the theater and back into the scorching heat (it was over 90 degrees that day), he felt a different kind of heat. FBI Agent Purvis related what happened next:
"I was about three feet to the left and a little to the rear of him. I was very nervous; it must have been a squeaky voice that called out, 'Stick 'em up, Johnnie, we have you surrounded.'"
Dillinger ran to the alley and allegedly reached for his gun, but he was cut down quickly by the agents on the scene. Agent Purvis was among the first ones to examine the body.
"Probably I will never forget, although I would like to, the morbidness displayed by the people who gathered around the shooting. Craning necks of curious persons, women dipping handkerchiefs in Dillinger's blood. Neighborhood business boomed temporarily. The spot where Dillinger fell became the mecca of morbidly curious."
When Robert Vogel saw the photo of the corpse, he knew his suspicions had been correct. He had been sitting just two seats away from John Dillinger at Wrigley Field.
Cubs fan John Dillinger went to his grave thinking that 1934 might be "the" year for the Cubs. Needless to say, it wasn't. They ended the season in third place, eight games out of first.
1. Where should i go to get the majority of the team?
2. Do any players give out broken bat or old batting gloves (any players that do a lot, if so who)
3. Does Sandberg give out the Lineup card after games?
thanks
]]>Im hoping we draft another college player, way safer than HS
]]>Ramirez went 2-for-5 with a double on Friday versus the Pirates to raise his season average to .168/.233/.267/.500. Not exactly a breakout but a good sign, the way he is hitting right now I think he is finally starting to warm up. His numbers up as a Cub, now in his eighth season with the team, point in the right direction as well .295/.359/.535/.894 with 191 home runs and 645 RBI.
Derrek Lee's BABIP is .260, not extremely low, but well below his career BABIP average of .322 ... in 2009 it was .327. Last year Lee started the season off horribly, as well, leading some fans to call for Micah Hoffpauir to take over at first base. Derrek Lee went on to have a stellar year .306/.393/.579/.972 with 35 home runs and 111 RBI. In his seventh season with the Cubs his numbers with the team are .301/.382/.531/.914 with 167 home runs and 534 RBI. He is beginning to hit, mostly singles, but that it is how he started last year. He is showing signs but he has admitted that he must start driving the ball, hitting home runs and getting the big hit ... when it counts.
Lee will be 35 years old in September and Ramirez will turn 33 in June. They aren't getting any younger. But I think Lee has at least one good year left in the tank and Ramirez should at the very least have a couple solid years left. I think Lee and Ramirez will turn their seasons around, but the Cubs have other problems as well.
The starting pitching has been pretty solid, but the Cubs may need to make a move at some point this year to help solidify it. Andrew Cashner could likely be that guy, especially if the Cubs try to trade Tom Gorzelanny, or Carlos Silva for some bullpen help. So far Cashner has exceeded expectations and was recently promoted to Iowa. Here's a link to his stats from minorleaguebaseball.com.
The Cubs bullpen continues to struggle and Carlos Zambrano is not the answer. When he was starting his velocity was down for the first inning or two. Zambrano appeared to get stronger as the game wore on. In the bullpen, Big Z's velocity has been way down and he has been getting hit hard. The likes of Esmailin Caridad, Justin Berg, Jeff Gray and John Grabow haven't gotten the job done either. Yet there is hope.
The Cubs have a few pieces with some value in Carlos Silva, Mike Fontenot, Tom Gorzelanny and Xavier Nady (after June 15th) ... along with some talent in the minors, but hopefully they do not part with any of the top prospects in the system.
There has been speculation recently that Jay Jackson might be headed to the majors as a relief pitcher. He has yet to be tested in the major leagues but could help in the bullpen. Jackson is pitching very well for Iowa (AAA), but is projected as a starter and has pitched as one in the minors (here's a link to his page at minorleaguebaseball.com). Chances are bringing up Jackson won't solidify the bullpen ... even if he is lights out. The Cubs still need another late-inning reliever from the right side and that could be attained via a trade.
The point is the season is long from over yet and there is some reason for hope ... but things have to start turning around soon.
Stay optimistic! Go Cubs!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufFUicxzMIY
Matt Murton was someone whom the Cubs organization, GM Hendry and his "guru" team, didn't really care as soon as they signed Alfonso Soriano.
Murton had excellent numbers and favorite scouting report back in his Minor days, especially pre-2007. The details are around googlesphere (more specifically, Baseball Cube, Fangraphs, etc.); I'm not here to bore you out with numbers.
The point here: He could actually run and throw as a Center Fielder in Japan! Look at the film. Wow.
Koshien, the home park of Hanshin Tiger (Kobe / Osaka), has one of the biggest fields in N.P.B. (Japan's big league). So, when I first heard Murton will take over the biggest part of this field, I was like: "Wut the hell are those coaches thinking."
Yeah, Murton was not supposed to field center. As the season goes on, I'm sure the old number-et-projection will reveal and there'll be a regress and so on. Guess what, it doesn't matter what will happen 144 games down the road there, because Murton is tearing the league RIGHT NOW, in his first year.
He is hitting pitchers at par with Kuroda and Okajima, just like what he would have done if the Cubs kept him for real, and his minor league number plus scouting praises would have lived up. I mean, of course that would mean not signing old Fonzi and Number 1 (Fukudome), which is like "no way, ain't the Cubbie Way."
The fun part gears on my imagination--What if Soriano was not signed? Then would Matt Murton not be sidelined into a pinch-hit role and be eventually deleted from the job queue to a Major League Baseball team? Hard to say, what if, what if, but I wonder if Soriano can actually take the center?
http://www.wezen-ball.com/site/tater-trot-tracker/
And if he ever did play a little tougher position than he is right now, would he be able to run like a hot dog? (Or wiener, like the North Suburban Crews love to say.) It can't be a trot, yeah?
Fonzi might end up the top 5 list of slow showboats on this site. (Can you track him, Neil?) But of course, that's assuming he'll got 20+ chances of rounding the bases, trotting-ly...
By the way, Jose "The Little Bradley Got An Issue With The World" Guillen is leading the chart. Bengie Molina (unsurprisingly) is leading the National League.
Got to love the slow guys. They bring in fire and personality and can spark up the team and swagger like the Cubs used to teach us fans and...
Whatever.
]]>http://www.petitiononline.com/Ron4HALL
]]>On a cool note as I was standing there I turned around and saw a lady holding a sign.\saying vote for "Santo for Hall of Fame"
It was a great night all the way around.
]]>503 votes were cast in a poll that ran from March 22 - April 6 and 168 think the Cubs will contend in the central and finish with between 86-90 victories this year.
The average age of the Cubs lineup is 32 years old. I am going to give approximate salary figures, because I don't want to waste time being exact at this point. Without further adieu, here is our commitments on offense:
Soto-1 yr (arby eligible next yr), $600k
Hill-1 yr (arby eligible), $700k
Lee-1 yr, $13 million
Fontenot-1 yr (arby), $1 million
Baker-1 yr (arby), $900k
Theriot-1 yr (arby), $2.5 million
ARAM-1 yr (if he opts out, otherwise he has one year, plus another option), $16 million
Tracy-1 yr, $950k, but up to $1.5 w/ incentives
Soriano-5 yrs, $19 million/yr
Byrd-3 yrs, $3 million; $5.5 mm; $6.5 mm ($15 mm total)
Fukudome-2 yrs, $14 million/yr
Nady-1 yr, $3.3 million
Colvin-1 yr (rookie contract, MLB minimum), $400k
Only Soriano, Byrd, and Fukudome are signed beyond this season. After this season, Soriano has $76 million due, Byrd has $12 million due, and Fukudome has $14 million due. In all likelihood, to move either Soriano or Fukudome, the Cubs would have to eat all but maybe $10 million of Soriano's deal, and half of Fukudome's contract. They should be able to move Byrd provided he doesn't completely fail.
So...one of two things might happen come trade deadline time.
1)Teams might be reluctant to trade for guys that aren't signed beyond next season
2)Depending on the economy, teams might be more inclined to trade for players with expiring contracts, but will not give up much talent to do so
So...that's the offensive side of things....here's the pitching:
Z-3 yrs, plus option, $18 million/yr
Dempster-3 yrs, $14 million/yr
Lilly-1 yr, $13 million
Silva-2 yrs, $12.75 million/yr (3.5 million offset this season and 5.5 million next season)
Wells-1 yr (rookie deal), $425k
Gorzelanny-1 yr (arby), $800k
Marshall-1 yr (arby), 950k
Berg-1 yr (rookie), $400k
Caridad-1 yr (rookie), $400k
Samardzija-3 yrs (though I'm not understanding this one, because he signed a 5 yr deal worth $10 million in 2007, but he's got $3mm this year, $3.5mm next year, and $6.5mm for 2012, so I don't know)
Marmol-1 yr (arby), $2.5 million
Grabow-2 yrs, $3.75 million/yr
Only Z, Dempster, Silva, Samardzija, and Grabow are signed beyond this season. That means we could have as much as 7 new pitchers next season.
Pitchers are a lot different than hitters in terms of trade value. If they have an ERA below/or very close to under 4, then they'll be in demand (if they're a starter). As for veteran relievers, they're almost always in demand, provided they don't have a 5+ERA. Unlike position players signed only for this year, even just average pitchers might bring you quality prospects in return because of the high demand for pitching late in the season.
So, if I'm looking at things objectively (and using facts), I think it's reasonable to think that these players would be on the chopping block if we freefall out of contention:
Fontenot
Theriot
Soto
Nady
Byrd
Lilly-limited no trade clause
Lee-no trade clause
ARAM-no trade (while this would be extremely unpopular with most fans, consider the fact that ARAM explicitly has stated that he has no desires to be on a rebuilding team, and wants a shot at a ring...if we lose the division big, and start trading pieces away, there's absolutely no chance he will exercise his option, and we'll be stuck with nothing)
Fukudome-limited no trade clause
Z-no trade clause
Dempster-no trade clause
Those are the most likely to be traded. I doubt Ricketts would bite the bullet with Soriano, so we're pretty screwed there, but all these other guys are legit trade candidates if we go nowhere this season, because some of them have expiring contracts, and others like Z, Dempster, Lee, ARAM, and Byrd might still be able to offer teams decent production.
I've already analyzed playoff teams from last year such as the Yankees, Red Sox, Twins, Angels, Phillies, Cardinals, Dodgers, and Rockies, and identified holes.
If all things are equal (meaning no major injuries later this year to our trade candidates or other teams), it would appear that the Phillies, Cardinals, Dodgers, Twins, Angels, and Rockies would be in the market for 3B upgrades, and ARAM might intrigue them (even though the Twins and Rockies couldn't afford him in all likelihood). As for Lee, none of those teams appears to be in need of a 1B, although fringe contenders like the Giants, Mariners, and Mets might be interested in Lee. As for our pitching, everyone would probably be interested in Z, Dempster, and Lilly. It all depends on how much we're willing to eat in salary, and what they're willing to give us, and if the pitchers will even waive no trade rights if we're out of contention (which is anyone's guess). Teams could definitely use fill-in types like Byrd, Fukudome, Nady, Fontenot, etc., but again depends on how much salary we're willing to eat in Byrd and Fukudome's cases.
When you start thinking about these possibilities, I believe you have to examine the replacement players and what they'd give you (assuming you don't get MLB players in return).
With Z, Lilly, and Dempster, I'm almost positive we couldn't get the same production from our minor league pitching, so we'd be taking a significant hit there.
As for Soto, we already have W. Castillo almost ready at the AAA level, as well as Chris Robinson. Could they equal Soto's line of .218 avg, .321 OBP, 11 hr, 47 RBI? I'd say they could probably beat that line, and have better defense
Could we replace Lee's production with LaHair? Probably not. Certainly not Lee's 2009 season of 35 hr, 111 RBI. But how about 2007 or 2008 of 22 hr, 82 RBI and 20 hr, 90 RBI respectively? I'd say that LaHair could probably match it, or come damn close to matching 20 hr, 80 RBI.
How about Castro replacing Theriot at SS, moving him to 2B? In the field, YES...at the plate, it's probably a wash.
Can we replace ARAM's production with Tracy? If Tracy is healthy, and can come close to his 2005 and 2006 seasons of 27 hr, 72 RBI, 20 hr, 80 RBI respectively, then it becomes more respectable...but there's no way of knowing if he can be full-time anymore, even at 29 yrs old, given his injury history.
But where I believe we make up for lost production with Lee and ARAM, is in the OF if we put Colvin, Adduci, and Snyder out there full-time. Colvin and Snyder could produce probable lines of 20+hr, 70+RBI, and Adduci would give speed and higher average than Byrd. If Soriano can only muster 20 hr, 50 RBI, and Fukudome's at 10 hr, 50 RBI, then between Snyder and Colvin, they'd have about 10 more hr than Soriano and Fukudome, and 40 more RBI than they would have. Apply that amount to any deficit Tracy and LaHair would give as opposed to ARAM and Lee, and you could live with that.
Is there a risk involved with doing this? You bet your ass there's a risk. But teams like the Phillies: Rollins, Howard, Utley, Werth, Victorino, Dodgers: Martin, Loney, Eithier, Kemp, Rockies: Barmes, Tulowitzki, Stewart, Iannetta, Gonzalez, Hawpe, Fowler, White Sox: Ramirez, Beckham, Quentin, Yankees: (this is older...but still proves point) Jeter, Posada, Williams, etc., Red Sox: Pedroia, Youkilis, Ellsbury, etc....All these players had to take their lumps, and their teams were better off for it in the long run. Every team but the Red Sox and Yankees went through their lows in the rebuilding with youth process, but the lows didn't last long, and they were back on top, and in better shape for a long run of being on top.
If we don't start the rebuilding process this year...then when? Will it be next offseason and we're asking the same damn questions? Why did Hendry sign ____ veteran instead of giving Colvin a chance? Why did he sign ______ veteran instead of giving Castro a chance? The time for fill-in veterans needs to stop NOW!!!!!
There was absolutely no place for Byrd and Nady on this roster (and that's not just because there were better FA alternatives out there), but Snyder was absolutely on fire at the beginning of last year until his injury, then went to the Mexican league, and absolutely obliterated the pitching there, so the Cubs had plenty to go off of if they were going to give him a fair shake. Then, they added Adduci to the 40-man, and you'd think that meant they were going to give him a shot too. But no....Fact is, Nady is riding the pine, and still has a bum arm. Byrd is nowhere near the CF needed at the MLB level defensively, and it remains to be seen whether or not he can duplicate his career year of 2009 when he hit 20 hr, 89 RBI (history says he'll come nowhere near those numbers). Would it have been that bad to just go with Snyder and Adduci at $400k each, as opposed to nearly $7 million this year for Byrd and Nady combined...which could've been used to sign someone like Felipe Lopez or someone of that caliber that could play everyday. Nady isn't playing everyday, and earning $3.3 million, which is a huge problem in my opinion.
I could really care less who comes up from our minors to help this year. Whether it be: Castro, LaHair, Snyder, Adduci, Tony Thomas, W. Castillo, Barney, Robinson, Flaherty, etc. I just want to see youth infused in this lineup. Why? Because I know That in the last several years, all of us have seen firsthand what the infusion of youth can do to an aging lineup, haven't we? Guys like Theriot, Fontenot, Soto, FOx, Hoffpauir, Murton, etc. have all helped us at some point.
It's going to be an interesting season, and as it progresses, I'll be keeping my eye on the minors (not just our system, but others) to see where we can improve. I believe wholeheartedly that we already have the makings of an everyday lineup in our own system with: W. Castillo, Vitters, Castro, Hak Ju Lee, Flaherty, Colvin, B Jackson, Burke, LeMahieu, etc.
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1) Send Jeff Samardzija down or just plain out release him. His trade stock has fallen big time and since he has been a Cub, he has done nothing besides give up runs, walks, walks and more walks. He also can get hit off because he only has 1 pitch and that is a fast ball.
2) Call up top prospect SS Starlin Castro. I know he is probably not ready but I can not stand Ryan Theriot's defence. He is so bad at defence, every time a ball is hit there I never want to watch. He can not throw from short to first, he has no range and routine groundball are not for sure outs. If he does not hit, there is no need for him to play. If Castro got the call, it will improve the defence big time and make the pitchers even better.
Well in this game, the umpires did not help at all. They missed a big play in the outfield where there CF Nate Mcclouth dive for a ball and missed it but the umps call it an out and Ramirez saw the ball hit the ground and stayed at second. But with the umps call it a catch, Ramirez got doubled off. The replay clearly show the ball hitting the ground and the game would of totally have a different outcome. So should there be replays on those calls? I was against that but if this is only the 1st game of the season, I say yes then because this is going to drive me nuts if they keep missing calls like that.
At least in this game, the Cubs bats came alive and were hitting the ball with authority unlike last year where the could not buy a hit. That is why I am looking forward to this season.
I know probably those first 2 steps I would do won't happen but would be nice and should in my opinion.
Thoughts?
]]>Kevin Millar and Chad Tracy are both trying to win a spot on the Chicago Cubs opening day roster. The question for who is the better fit for the team shouldn't come down to a popularity contest, it should come down to who better fits the Cubs needs and who is the better player. What appears to be going on right now in the Chicago Cubs spring training camp right now is a popularity contest.
Kevin Millar the "self-proclaimed idiot" is winning the popularity contest, with his outgoing personality. He is ahead slightly in the hitting department as well this spring hitting .300/.481/.500 in 20 at bats with 6 hits (including one double and one homerun), 7 walks and 5 strikeouts. Chad Tracy is hitting .269/.367/.308 with 7 hits (one double), 4 walks, and 3 strikeouts. There is not a huge difference, especially given the limited number of at bats.
Unless Kevin Millar can show he can play third base, there shouldn't even be a question on who makes the team. I don't think at his age, and his skill set that he can be adequate at third base. Millar just doesn't have the range. Before training camp started, there were stories by the media about Millar getting to camp early and taking ground balls at third base, and wanting to prove he can still play third base(he has only played 32 games at third base in 12 seasons). Yet since spring training camp has began, he has not played one single inning at third base, which leads me to believe the Cubs management don't think he can fill that role.
Millar played some left field the other day, trying to show he can be more versatile for the Cubs off the bench. I listened to the game on the radio, since it wasn't on television, and he didn't have any errors. Then while watching Sports Rise on Comcast Sports Net (Chicago), I saw a clip of him running for the ball in the outfield. All I have to say, is I hope we never get that desperate that Kevin Millar plays in the outfield. He might not drop a routine fly ball like Alfonso Soriano does occasionally, but that is because he won't get to it.
Chad Tracy has faired better as a pinch hitter over his career hitting .291/.368/.547, while Kevin Millar has hit .214/.324/.359 as a pinch hitter. Over their careers their numbers are pretty close, Tracy .280/.339/.453 and Millar .274/.358/.452. Millar's career splits versus right handed pitchers and left handed pitchers are nearly identical, while Chad Tracy numbers versus right handed pitchers are phenomenal, against left handed pitchers he is horrible.
Chad Tracy has played 52 games in the outfield over his career, Kevin Millar 355 games in the outfield. Millar last played in the outfield in 2007 and only 3 games, prior to that it was 2005 when he played 34 games in the outfield. Chad Tracy last played in the outfield in 2005 playing 52 games. Kevin Millar is 38 years old and Chad Tracy is 30 years old. With Aramis Ramirez's injury issues last year, and so far through spring training the Cubs need a viable back up at third base. Jeff Baker is very capable of doing that defensively, offensively he is no where near capable. Tracy and Millar won't put up the numbers that Ramirez can when he is healthy either, but both are much closer than Baker.
My vote goes to Chad Tracy, who does your vote go to?
]]>Here's how the votes finished up ...
]]>The next poll on the CCO will be up by Monday, March 22.
Stay Classy Cubs Fans!
]]>Click here for a slideshow of his photos.
Thanks JC for sharing ...