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It was a magical game during a memorable season. The 1984 Chicago Cubs season provided thrills, cheers and the team’s first playoff appearance in 39 years.In a game that season against arch-rival St. Louis on June 23, second baseman Ryne Sandberg gave the Wrigley Field faithful a day no Cubs fans would ever forget.Sandberg was in his third season with Chicago after the Cubs acquired him prior to the 1982 season in what turned out to be a one-sided trade with Philadelphia. What is often forgotten is that Sandberg was considered the throw-in in a deal that sent Larry Bowa ...
New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes is the hottest item on the trade market this season, and the prevailing sentiment seems to be that he will be dealt to one or another contender before the trade deadline.Wherever he may go, though, or even if he remains with the Mets all season, Reyes figures to test the free-agent market this winter and should find a rich reward for that freedom. He currently leads the National League in batting average, has remained healthy and may be emerging as an elite offensive player as well as an above-average defender at the most important ...
The 2010 season has had a familiar feeling for the Chicago Cubs in regard to the team's performance and standing within the National League Central division. But unlike numerous Cubs teams of the past, this year's version has been based largely on developing young talent and building a culture that operates from within. Since Dallas Green joined the Cubs as general manager in 1982, the Cubs have been an organization based on free agency. Over the past 30 years, the Cubs have landed numerous free agents and fielded teams largely comprised of players from competing franchises. Often, the result of ...
When it comes to baseball, pitchers are not known for their hitting. Pitchers don't receive as many opportunities to hit in today's game because of managers increasing the number of relievers throwing more and more innings. Interleague play is the only period of time that AL pitchers have the chance to swing the bat, and NL pitchers hit once every five days, so not much is expected.Despite the fact that most pitchers couldn't hit to save their life, there are a select few that can hit a ball in the stands at any time. These guys not only help their ...
"No varnish can hide the grain of the wood; and that the more varnish you put on, the more the grain will express itself."- Charles Dickens, Great ExpectationsThere are admittedly lots of things that separate good teams from bad, winners from losers and contenders from the also-rans. However it occurred to me recently that some of the things we strain our brains to analyze are actually right in front of our noses.Take the Cleveland Indians. Please. No, seriously, look at what they just did. Off to a surprisingly great start early this year and currently sitting in first place in the ...
Let's all acknowledge this, right from the start: The Cubs are not going to win in 2011, nor in 2012.The roster is poor, aged and frequently incapable of basic fundamentals. The new owner seems mainly concerned with creating a persona for himself, via appearances on shows like "Undercover Boss."The organization, despite its vast resources, can't even prevent flocks of birds from obstructing games. The "ace" of the pitching staff is best known for a truly-wretched Harry Caray impersonation. If this team was a scene from "Goodfellas," it'd be the one where Lorraine Bracco flushes the cocaine down the toilet while ...
No, not the team—that sale has already taken place and unfortunately we're stuck with the Ricketts. We're talking players here. The Cubs have played 69 baseball games this season and, despite taking three out of four against the first place Milwaukee Brewers, have proven once again that this simply ain't the year for the Northsiders. It is time to sell. Sure, the division is immanently winnable, but not for the Cubs. It's too obvious when you see the lack of fundamental play, the injuries and the lack of clutch hitting to continue buying what the Cubs are selling. Oh, and speaking of selling, ...
The 2011 All-Star Game is under a month away, and the Cubs are off to a less-than-stellar start to the season. That could mean another season in which the Cubs have a lone representative at the Midsummer Classic.After being represented by just center fielder Marlon Byrd last season, although Carlos Marmol was certainly worthy as well, the Cubs will look to be better represented this season despite a poor record.There are a number of potential candidates for the game, some more realistic than others but legitimate candidates nonetheless.So here is a look at the handful of Cubs players who are ...
Does GM Jim Hendry have embarrassing pictures of Cubs CEO Tom Ricketts? That's about the only conclusion one can draw after hearing yet another vote of confidence from the Cubs bossman for his embattled GM. Look, the fact that you own a team does not automatically give you special powers of evaluation. The average Cubs fan may grouse about what should be done over a beer at the local bar, but he lacks the pedigree to do anything about it. But Ricketts has the power to do something about it. Only he cannot because he is no different than the average Cubs fan at the bar ...
This Cubs season has been a particularly hard season to watch. A loss of 12-4 or 6-1 is far less surprising as it used to be in recent years. With currently the third-worst record in the MLB, the Chicago Cubs sure have been a disappointment.But fear not Cubs fans because the future will be bright. If you need indicators of this future look no further than the infield. Last year around this time we began to see stars or rather a Starlin lighting up the bases and shooting baseballs all over Wrigley.Starlin Castro was without a doubt the brightest prospect on ...
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