With the Cubs in the playoffs there are a couple of things that are now certain. The Cubs will face the Los Angeles Dodgers and the first guy the Dodgers will see is Ryan Dempster. Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden will also pitch as will Ted Lilly if things go beyond Game 3 this year. With four starters and the fact that Lou Piniella has mentioned carrying 11 pitchers on his playoff roster that means there will be seven more pitchers and it means that the Cubs will have 14 from the offense on the … [Read more...]
Do You Believe In Magic? – Part Five
In my last article on the magic of the Cubs this year I focus on one of the biggest surprises to come along all year. This player wasn't on the radar at the beginning of the year but he fell in the Cubs' lap during the season and since there was a need, Jim Hendry picked him up and he has been a huge part of the Cubs success. The player I refer to is obviously Jim Edmonds. … [Read more...]
Do You Believe In Magic? – Part Four
In this fourth installment of those players I see that have been touched by the magic of the Cubs this year, I will take a look at the minor leaguers. More specifically I am referring to Micah Hoffpauir and Jeff Samardzija, who have been called up, jumped in and helped the Cubs continue to win. … [Read more...]
Do You Believe In Magic? – Part Three
After looking at the magic provided offensively in the last two articles it is time to turn to pitching. After all, the Cubs have the second best pitching staff, behind Los Angeles, in the National League. If you look at the whole league the Cubs are ranked fourth behind Toronto, LA and Tampa Bay in that order. There have obviously been some magical pitchers this year. Before I tell you who this article is about I want to test you first. Below are three different pitching lines. … [Read more...]
Do You Believe In Magic? – Part Two
The magic continues and this time I turn to a hitter that has always been pretty good with the bat but has turned it on in a big way this year. He was never known as someone that would make a run at the batting title but this year he has shown people that he could compete, kind of. There is only one small problem. He is a pitcher and only bats once every five days at best. I probably don't have to tell you that I am talking about Carlos Zambrano. … [Read more...]
Superstitious? Not Anymore
Oh the life of a Cubs fan. There are very few, if any, people still around that last saw them win a World Series. The last World Series appearance was 1945 which means that those that were around at that time, and still remember it, are at least in their 70s. That is a long time to wait for a World Series appearance. Is it any wonder Cubs fans have to be the most superstitious fans of all time? Everyone that has ever rooted for the Cubs, and many that haven't, knows the story of Billy Sianis … [Read more...]
Do You Believe In Magic? – Part One
This season has already been magical and I hope for it to get even more magical before the Cubs head home for the winter. When your team is doing well and everything seems to just work you can see it and feel it. You can do no wrong and this year seems to be that case yet again. I wanted to write about some of the players that have showed me how magical this year has been. It will end up being a series of posts because I want to give credit to one player at a time to get them all their fair … [Read more...]
A Lot Has Happened Since That Year
We all know the year. We all know the teams involved. What we may not realize is how much has happened since the Cubs last won the World Series. If you are in the dark as to what I am referring to, it is regarding the year 1908, the last year the Chicago Cubs won the World Series when they beat the Detroit Tigers. Do any Cubs fans not know how long it has been? Anyone can subtract and realize that it has been 100 years since the Cubs last won it all. Can we quantify how long 100 years really … [Read more...]
Down on the Farm Report – 9/7/07
The Minor League season is all over except for the playoffs. The Tennessee Smokies won the first game of the Southern League Divisional Series on Thursday night against the Huntsville Stars, 6-3. Mark Holliman threw 7 strong innings for the win and gave up 2 runs on 5 hits with a walk, a hit batter and 6 strikeouts. Tyler Colvin doubled and scored a run while Casey McGehee was 2-for-3 with a run scored and 2 RBI's. Chris Robinson drove in one and Issmael Salas added 2 RBI's. Rocky Roquet threw 1 … [Read more...]
Down on the Farm Report – 9/4/07
Updated - 1:08pm C.T. with Roster Moves - According to a report on ESPN 1000 the Cubs have added Sam Fuld and Kevin Hart to the 40-man roster and have called both up to the big league club. The same report stated Carmen Pignatiello was also recalled from Triple-A Iowa. Hey Cubs fans. It is time for another Down on the Farm update. As I finish the season I see a lot of promise in the Cubs minor league system. It has been great seeing so many guys visit Chicago and provide whatever help they … [Read more...]