The Cubs took the first step in announcing Joe Maddon’s coaching staff Saturday when the team confirmed reports Henry Blanco had left Arizona to return to the Cubs. Blanco was a clubhouse leader and fan favorite during his time with the Cubs (2005-2008) and was part of two division winning teams. Henry Blanco, nicknamed Hank White by the fan base and media, filled the only official opening on the coaching staff. Blanco replaces Jose Castro as the Cubs’ quality assurance coach. The … [Read more...]
From the Wire….Blanco Agrees to Terms with Padres
According to a report from Buster Olney on ESPN.com, Henry Blanco agreed to a one-year deal with the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. The contract is believed to be worth $750,000. The 'Hank White' Era in Chicago is officially over. … [Read more...]
Cubs Decline Blanco’s Option
According to several reports, the Cubs announced on Friday afternoon they have declined the 2009 option on back-up catcher Henry Blanco. Blanco's option for 2009 would have been worth $3 million dollars.....Blanco made $2.8 million in 2008. The Cubs are expected to resign Geovany Soto's mentor to a lower guaranteed deal. … [Read more...]
TCB Against CC – Cubs 5 Brewers 4
Game One Hundred Forty-Nine - Cubs 5 Brewers 4 WP - Ryan Dempster (16-6) LP - CC Sabathia (15-9, 9-1) Save - Kerry Wood (31) Ryan Dempster beat the Milwaukee Brewers for the fourth time this season and handed CC Sabathia his first loss in the National League. Dempster set a new career high with his 16th win of the year and became the first Cubs pitcher since Ferguson Jenkins in 1971 to post 13 wins in a single season at Wrigley Field. Dempster was very strong through the first 5 innings. He … [Read more...]
Not Werth A…. – Cubs 3 Phillies 5
Game One Hundred Thirty-Seven - Cubs 3 Phillies 5 WP - Jamie Moyer (12-7) LP - Sean Marshall (3-4) Save - Brad Lidge (33) Jayson Werth was the difference for the second day in a row as the Cubs lost back-to-back games for the first time since July 25th and July 26th. Werth added to his 2 home run, 4 RBI game on Saturday with another home run and 3 more runs batted in on Sunday....3 home runs and 7 RBI's in two games for the Phillies right fielder. Lou Piniella revealed in his post-game press … [Read more...]
Squeeze-d One Out – Cubs 2 Pirates 0
Game One Hundred Thirty-Three - Cubs 2 Pirates 0 WP - Jason Marquis (9-7) LP - Zach Duke (4-13) Save - Kerry Wood (27) Lou Piniella's crew completed the 3-game sweep against the Pirates on Wednesday afternoon behind 7 shutout innings by Jason Marquis. Marquis picked up his third win of the season against the Bucs and gave his skipper a very strong outing on getaway day. The key to Marquis' success was he kept the ball down and most importantly....he did not issue a single walk. The best inning … [Read more...]
Couldn’t Cash ‘Em In – Cubs 1 Marlins 2
Game One Hundred Twenty-Three - Cubs 1 Marlins 2 WP - Anibal Sanchez (2-2) LP - Sean Marshall (2-3) Save - Kevin Gregg (27) The Cubs 9-game road winning streak as well as their current 5-game winning streak came to an end on Saturday night in South Florida. Lou Piniella's left-handed lineup could not come up with the big hit when they needed it off of Anibal Sanchez and the Marlins pitching staff. The Cubs left a total of 13 on base in the loss including the bases loaded twice. The 9th inning … [Read more...]
A Defensive Thriller – Cubs 3 Cardinals 2
Game One Hundred Sixteen - Cubs 3 Cardinals 2 - 11 innings WP - Bobby Howry (5-4) LP - Ryan Franklin (4-5) Save - None It doesn't get much better than Friday afternoon at the old ballpark on Clark and Addison....the Cubs and Cardinals in extra innings with Lou Piniella's crew coming out on top. Friday afternoon was another team-win as the Cubs improved to 24 games over .500 for the first time since last game of the 1989 season. Jim Edmonds supplied the power and the only two runs for the Cubs … [Read more...]
Z Pitches, Z Hits….Cubs Win – Cubs 6 Marlins 3
Game One Hundred Two - Cubs 6 Marlins 3 WP - Carlos Zambrano (11-4) LP - Scott Olsen (6-5) Save - Carlos Marmol (4) Before Thursday night at the Friendly Confines the last time a Cubs' team beat the Florida Marlins was on April 25, 2006. Ten games and more than two years later Lou Piniella's crew ended the drought behind a total team effort....led by Carlos Zambrano. The Cubs' ace allowed 2 runs on 6 hits, only one extra base hit, with 6 strikeouts and no walks in 7 solid innings. Zambrano … [Read more...]
Finishing with a W
Spring Training Game Thirty-Two - Cubs 4 Mariners 2 WP - Ryan Dempster (3-1) LP - Jarrod Washburn (2-2) Save - Kerry Wood (2) Lou Piniella's pitching staff made up for their poor performance on Friday night by allowing only 1 earned run in the final game of the spring. Ryan Dempster was very effective on Saturday afternoon. He allowed the only earned run on 6 hits in 4 innings with 4 strikeouts and most importantly....no walks. Michael Wuertz surrendered his first run of the exhibition season … [Read more...]
