Honoring The Hawks

Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks on winning the 2010 Stanley Cup!

The game last night was amazing! During the celebration one thought ran through my head.... imagine what it's going to be like when the Boys in Blue finally win it all. As big as the Hawks celebration was, it was just a fraction of the size of a Cubs World Series win would be.

One drought in Chicago is over!

I know that Ryan Demper is happy.

The Stanley Cup Finals win for the Chicago Blackhawks came at an ideal time. The fans in the city of Chicago need a team to support, and with the slow starts for the Cubs and White Sox, many turned to the Hawks. They kept Chicago sports fans interested in a our clubs and took some of the negative attention away from the baseball teams.

In honor of the championship, here is the list of current and former Hawks who have sang the 7th inning stretch at Wrigley!

• Kevyn Adams ('08)
• Adam Burish ('08)
• Coach Alpo Suhonen ('00)
• Coach Brian Sutter ('01)
• Chris Chelios ('98-'03, '07)
• Bobby Hull ('08)
• Brett Hull ('03)
• Tony Esposito ('08)
• Denis Savard ('01, '02, '05, '07)
• Doug Wilson ('02)
• Ed Olczyk ('00)
• Keith Magnuson ('98)
• Patrick Lalime ('08)
• Stan Mikita ('98, '08)
• Jeremy Roenick ('04)
• Jack O'Callahan ('05)
• James Wizniewski ('08)
• Trent Yawney ('05)
• Patrick Kane ('08)
• Jonathan Toews ('08)

*This list is not complete and could have a few from recent years missing.

A special congratulations goes out to former Cubs front office members John McDonough and Jay Blunk. These two guys were a key part of the turn around and resurgence of the Blackhawks.

It was great to see the Cubs players going to the U.C. to support the Hawks, and the Hawks making a trip to Wrigley to take in a ballgame this year! I'm sure we'll see the guys at The Friendly Confines again sometime this summer!

We'll return our focus to baseball tomorrow as the Cubs start the Crosstown Showdown series with the White Sox!

Mid Week Roundup: Ramirez to the DL, Howry Pitching Well, The Hawks, and More

We've spent the past few days focused on the draft, but it's time to get caught up on what's going on with the big league club!

Update 4:10 CT: Now it's official. Ramirez to the DL, Tracy called up. Chad is expected to be with the team tonight.

Ramirez to the DL?
According to the Chicago Tribune and several other sources, Aramis Ramirez will finally be placed on the DL with a left thumb injury. The roster move should happen sometime today. The Cubs are expected to callup Chad Tracy, who's tearing the cover off the ball at AAA-Iowa. Aramis has been in and out of the lineup lately and is hitting just .168 this season.

Theriot's Coming Around
Ryan Theriot is finally starting to see the ball a little better. Ryan has worked a few walks this week but says he hasn't changed anything in his approach at the plate. He wants to be a little more selective but not overly defensive up there. Lou Piniella says that The Riot is still his best leadoff option.

Howry Pitching Well
The return to Chicago seems to have helped RHP Bobby Howry, who struggled before he was released by Arizona. Howry has not allowed a run in seven outings with the Cubs.

Cubs Draft Ivan De Jesus
The Cubs selected a centerfielder from Cupeyville High School in the sixth round of the draft. The odd thing is, the outfielder has nearly the same name as Cubs' first base coach Ivan DeJesus. However, the two men are not related. DeJesus (the coach) says he was surprised to see his name on the list of players drafted by the organization. Today the Cubs drafted Benito Santiago Jr., who is the son of the former Cubs catcher.

Site Notes
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Tonight the Cubs play the Brewers at 7:15 in a game that will be on ESPN-TV and 560 AM (instead of 720 because of the Stanley Cup Finals). Carlos Zambrano will get his second start since returning to the rotation.

Speaking of the Stanley Cup Finals... Go Hawks Go!!!

Cubs Radio, Howry, Zambrano, and More

• Carlos Zambrano will return to the rotation against the Pirates next week. Tom Gorzelanny could be the odd starter out.
• The Cubs have agreed to move their radio broadcasts to accommodate the Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Finals games. The Hawks games will be on the the WGN-720 flagship station while Pat and Ron will be moved to 560 WIND on conflicting dates. The days the Cubs will be on 560 will be June 2, 4, and possibly 9th (if Game 6 is needed in Stanley Cup).
• Speaking of the Hawks, some of their players were at Wrigley tonight to cheer on the Cubbies.
• Aramis Ramirez got another day off on Tuesday. He sat out with a thumb injury. A-ram is hitless in his last four games and is hitting just .160 this year.
• Phil Rogers reports that Aramis will most likely avoid the DL and could return to the lineup against the Cardinals this weekend.
• Bobby Howry believes he still has something to bring to the table. He will be used in middle relief.
• Jim Hendry wasn't sure how to react when he was told that Milton Bradley is taking his advice at looking in the mirror, according to Bruce Levine.
• Carlos Zambrano's 73 pitch simulated game went well yesterday. Jeff Baker and Tyler Colvin were among the batters.
• After a 3-0 win against the Dodgers tonight, the Cubs are 7-0 when Starlin Castro bats second in the lineup.

That's it for now, but I'll keep you posted.

Sunday Night Quick Hits: The Bullpen, The Outfield, Spring Training, and More

• Aramis Ramirez sat out today's series finale against Arizona. Lou Piniella says that Aramis' bat is coming around so the Cubs want to make sure they rest him properly.
• The whole team will take the day off tomorrow before opening a road trip in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.
• At some point this season Carlos Zambrano may be used as the closer when Carlos Marmol is unavailable.
• Esmalin Caridad is coming along well. His next step will be to get into some rehab action with AAA-Iowa. Caridad is expected to join the I-Cubs on Tuesday and be back with Chicago within a week.
• When Esmalin returns to the Cubs bullpen, someone will have to be sent down. Jeff Gray, James Russell, and Justin Berg are all candidates.
• Russell and Ryan Dempster were among the Cubs who attended the Hawks game on Saturday night. The Blackhawks lost Game 1 of their series 5-1. James has tossed out the idea of the Cubs taking BP in hockey jerseys if the Hawks win the Stanley Cup.
• Piniella likes the fact that he has lots of outfield depth. Right now, it's been hard to get Xavier Nady playing time because Kosuke, Colvin, Byrd, and Soriano are all swinging the bat well.
• Soriano has already matched his April home run total in the month of May. There have only been 2 games so far this month, but Sori went deep a total of 4 times in the series against the D'backs.
• The All Star Game fan voting is already underway! Be sure to vote for your favorite Cubs over at http://www.cubs.com/.
• Marlon Byrd writes on the his blog that he thinks we are finally seeing the impact Rudy Jaramillo has made on this offense. "It takes time," he said.
• Tom Gorzelanny may have been the best 0-3 pitcher in baseball. He finally got a "W" today.
• According to the Sun-Times, we shouldn't count Florida out for Cubs' Spring Training just yet.
• Carlos Silva has a mild wrist injury, so he'll get an extra day of rest before his next outing.
• Happy birthday to former Cubs front office guy Jay Blunk, now with the Hawks!
• Don't forget to vote on our poll on the right sidebar!

That's it for now, but I'll keep you posted!

Cubs Roundup: Releasing Soriano?, Lilly to Return, Silva, And More

The Chicago Cubs are back up to .500! Let's check out the latest news and notes:

• Bruce Levine reports that the Cubs still having a glaring weakness- the bullpen. Bruce says that Jim Hendry will gladly overpay in prospects if the Ricketts will let him add an arm.
• Health Bell could be one reliever that will be on the market.
• Bringing Andrew Cashner up from AA has not been talked about.
• Some Cubs were on hand at the United Center last night to support the Blackhawks' in their first playoff game. Carlos Zambrano, Carlos Marmol, Ryan Dempster, Ryan Theriot, and Lou Piniella were among the Cubs in attendance.
• Derrek Lee's thumb injury has not been slowing him down, as he's homered each of the last 2 days.
• Jim Hendry told Jim Memolo on XM Radio's MLB Network Radio yesterday that the Cubs will not eat Alfonso Soriano's contract.
• Carlos Silva has been masterful so far this season. His ERA is 0.69.
• Rob Neyer thinks there's a 50/50 chance that Alfonso Soriano will be released before his contract expires.
• Ted Lilly will make his next rehab start next Monday in Peoria. If all goes well, he could return to the Cubs rotation next weekend in Milwaukee according to Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald.
• The Cubs have 2 more day games against the 1-9 Astros on this homestand before they head to New York to take on the Mets on Monday.

That's it for now, but I'll keep you posted!

Previewing the Winter Classic

Background: Tomorrow will be the first hockey game ever at Wrigley Field. However, that's not the first non-baseball sporting event that Wrigley Field has hosted. It was a multisport venue for the first 70 years of its existence. Three pro football teams played there; The Chicago Tigers, Cardinals, and Bears. Wrigley was also used for soccer, a ski jumping championship, rodeos, boxing matches, wrestling matches, and basketball games. The game tomorrow will be the first non-baseball sporting event at Wrigley since Sept, 3 1984, when the Chicago Sting, of the North American Soccer League, defeated Vancouver 3-1.

Match up: The Detroit Red Wings will be taking on the Chicago Blackhawks. Going into the game the Red Wings are in first in the Western Conference Central Division with a 24-7 record and 53 points. The Hawks are read hot lately and had won 9 games in a row before falling in Detriot last night. Chicago is a close second in the Central only 6 points behind the Wings with a 20-7 record.

Coverage: The Game will be televised nationally on NBC and locally on WGN Radio 720 in Chicago. The puck drops at Noon CT (1:00 ET) tomorrow. David Kaplan and Judd Sirott will broadcast live from the NHL Spectator Plaza outside Wrigley Field from about 1-4 CT on WGN Radio today to preview the game. WGN 720 will also have pregame tomorrow from 9-12.

I'll have thoughts on the game sometime tomorrow. Stay tuned today later I will have posts on the MLB Network, the latest Cubs rumors/news, and reviewing 2008 for the Cubs.

Cubs Caravan, Book Recommendation, and Wrigley turns to ice

The Cubs have the plans set for this years Cubs Caravan. Here is the schedule:

Tour Group 1, Jan. 14- stops at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago, Bouchet Academy in Chicago and a charity dinner in Valparaiso, Indiana. (I live in Northwest Indiana very close to Valpo and I have my tickets for the Charity Dinner.)
Tour Group 1, Jan. 15- Agassiz Elementary School, Jahn Elementary School, and Garvy Elementary School in Chicago; as well as Rockford Boys and Girls Club.
Tour Group 2, Jan. 14- Bateman Elemtary School in Chicago and fundraising luncheon at Harry Caray's Restaurant in Chicago. (the luncheon is sold out)
Tour Group 2, Jan. 15- Lincoln Library and Museum and take part in the Peoria Chiefs' charity fan fest.
The personnel who will take part in the winter tours will be announced at a later date. I'll update you whenever they are announced.

I just finished reading a Cubs book called Hoodoo by Grant DePorter, Elliot Harris, and Mark Vancil. DePorter is the owner of the Harry Caray's restaurant chain and he is best know for buying the Steve Bartman ball for $113,824.16 and then blowing it at Harry Caray's in Chicago. This book does a great job of "unraveling the 100-year mystery of the Cubs" and I would recommend it if you need a last minute gift for a Cubs fan for Christmas. Click Here for more info.

Well on New Years Day there will be a game at Wrigley Field. Not a baseball game, a hockey game. The Chicago Blawkhawks will be play the Detriot Red Wings in the Winter Classic. This will be the first time the Hawks have ever played outdoors and this will be the first hockey game ever played at the Friendly Confines. By the way, the Blackhawks are red hot and have won 7 games in a row. Check out the video of Wrigley turning into the Frozen Confines.

Well, there's only 2 more days until X-Mas! Not much going on with Cubs Rumors lately. We can only wait...
I'll keep you posted.

Cubs to Play Sox at Cashman Field, Cubs '09 Spring Training Schedule

The Cubs and the White Sox have added 2 games to their spring training schedule.

The 2 teams will meet in Las Vegas on March 4th and 5th. Both teams will be playing split-squads during these 2 days. The March 4 game will be at 8:05 PM CT. The game on the 5th will be at 2:05 CT. The Cubs and Sox will now play 5 times during the spring.



Here is the Cubs full 2009 Spring Training Schedule:

Feb. 25 VS LAD, Mesa, 2:05 CT

Feb. 26 VS MIL, Mesa, 2:05 CT

Feb. 27 VS TEX, Surprise, 2:05 CT

Feb. 28 VS CWS, Mesa, 2:05 CT

Mar. 1 VS SD, Peoria, 2:05 CT

Mar. 2 VS ARI, Mesa, 2:05 CT

Mar. 3 VS OAK, Mesa, 2:05 CT

Mar. 4(ss) VS CLE, Goodyear, 2:05 CT

VS CWS, Las Vegas, 8:05 CT

Mar. 5 VS CWS, Las Vegas, 2:05 CT

Mar. 6 VS LAD, Mesa, 2:05 CT

Mar. 7 VS MIL, Maryvale, 2:05 CT

Mar. 8 VS TEX, Mesa, 3:05 CT

Mar. 9 VS KC, Mesa, 3:05 CT

Mar. 10 VS SEA, Peoria, 3:05 CT

Mar. 11 OFF

Mar. 12 WBC

Mar. 13(ss) VS Sea, Mesa, 3:05 CT

VS LAA, Tempe, 3:05 CT

Mar. 14 VS LAA, Mesa, 3:05 CT

Mar. 15 VS ARI, Tuscan, 3:05 CT

Mar. 16 VS MIL, Maryvale, 3:05 CT

Mar. 17 VS LAD, Glendale, 3:05 CT

Mar. 18 VS SF, Mesa, 3:05 CT

Mar. 19 VS SEA, Peoria, 3:05 CT

Mar. 20 VS SD, Mesa, 3:05 CT

Mar. 21 VS CWS, Glendale, 3:05 CT

Mar. 22 VS SEA, Mesa, 3:05 CT

Mar. 23 VS OAK, Phoenix, 3:05 CT

Mar. 24 VS COL, Mesa

Mar. 25 OFF

Mar. 26 VS SF, Scottsdale, 3:05 CT

Mar. 27 VS CWS, Mesa, 3:05 CT

Mar. 28 VS COL, Tuscan, 3:05 CT

Mar. 29 VS CLE, Mesa, 3:05 CT

Mar. 30 VS KC, Surprise, 3:05 CT

April 1 VS OAK, Phoenix, 3:05 CT

April 2 VS CLE, Mesa, 2:05 CT

April 3 VS NYY, New Yankee Stadium, 6:05 CT

April 4 VS NYY, New Yankee Stadium, 12:05 CT



The Cubs will host a luncheon with some of the Cubs players during the Cubs caravan. It will be held on Jan. 14 from 11 AM to 1 PM CT at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse. Tickets are $100. The money will benefit Cubs Care. Space is limited to 120 guests. Jim Hendry will speak about the upcoming season and one Cubs representative will be seated at each table. Tickets go on Sale Wednesday at 10 AM CT by calling 773-404-CUBS.



Also, the Cubs, NHL, and the Chicago Blackhawks will an open skate at Wrigley Field's temporary ice rink on January 4 from 9 AM to 4 PM CT. However, the event for neighborhood residents is already sold out. Find more information at Cubs.com.



And finally, several sources say that the Cubs are expected to sign Joey Gathright to add to the Cubs bench for next year. Gathright was non-tendered by the Royals last week.

I'll keep you posted.