Post #1000

Today I reach four digits here on Everything Cubs Blog. Since December of 2008 I have brought you Cubs rumors, news, features and analysis. It is truly a labor of love and I hope to continue to for thousands and thousand more posts. Over the past year, the number of post has seen a decrease and the consistency of the updates has not been great due to my schedule. However, lately posts have been popping up with more frequency once again. Thank you for sticking with me as always.

Tomorrow we'll feature Bryan LaHair in our Getting to Know the Cubs series. All week coverage continues as we countdown to the Cactus League Opener, which is just one week from today!

That's it for now, but I'll keep you posted on everything Cubs as always!

Slight Changes to Everything Cubs Blog

Today I've made a few tweaks to the layout of Everything Cubs Blog! The color scheme is slightly different to incorporate more of the Cubs colors into the site. The list of Cubs links on the right sidebar has been updated, be sure to check it out. In addition, the five most popular Everything Cubs blog posts of all time are now displayed on the right sidebar. Please be sure to check out some of our most read articles! We are also looking to add a few new features, if you have any ideas of what you what like to see on the site in the coming weeks please feel free to put them in the comments of this post.

A new poll is up on the right sidebar! Which are you more excited about?
a) Carlos Zambrano being traded
b) Kerry Wood returning
Be sure to cast your vote!

A big thanks to everyone who voted on the last poll regarding the Sean Marshall trade. Thanks for reading as always, look for more Cubs coverage later this week.

Pre-Christmas Cubs Roundup

Happy Holidays Cubs fans! The Cubs have been pretty active this week leading up to Christmas Day, so let's get you caught up!

Corpas Signs with the Cubs
The Cubs have signed 29-year old RHP Manny Corpas to a one year contract. Corpas did not pitch this past season after having Tommy John surgery in September 2010. He is expected to be used out of the Cubs bullpen. Corpas had a 4.62 ERA in 56 games and picked up ten saves with the Rockies two seasons ago. Many feel that with another right hander added to the bullpen, Jeff Samardzija could get a chance to move into the rotation.

Marshall Deal Official
As expected, the Cubs have officially sent left handed reliever Sean Marshall to the Reds for starting pitcher Travis Wood. The two other players acquired by the Cubs in the deal are outfielder Dave Sappelt and 19 year old Ronald Torreyes. Sappelt hit .243 in 38 games with the big league team last season. He will compete for a spot on the team in Spring Training as a fourth or fifth outfielder.

Holiday Cubs Coverage
If you need a wintery Cubs fix, you can get it the next few days if you're in the Chicagoland area. WGN Radio will airs its special "Christmas with the Cubs" show on Christmas Eve at 9pm and Christmas Day at 2:00. Comcast Sports Net Chicago will replay the Cubs game against the Dodgers from April 23, 2011 at 1:00 on Christmas Day. That will be followed by Inside Look: Tom Ricketts at 4:30. On Wednesday, January 4 WGN Radio will host Cubs Corner at Wildfire Chicago featuring Theo Epstein. You can buy tickets to the luncheon or tune in to the broadcast at noon.

Up Next on Everything Cubs Blog
Next week we'll review the top Cubs stories of 2011, have my updated Cubs Opening Day roster predictions and check in on the latest from the rumor mill. Tomorrow our annual "Naughty & Nice" list will be posted. And of course, we'll keep you posted on Everything Cubs as always.

And We're Back!

With the Cubs season coming to a close yesterday, it is finally time for the return of Everything Cubs Blog! It made more sense to me to spend some time away during month of September while the Cubs played out the rest of the season, then to return for all of the lively offseason banter. Many other sites take a break around this time, so it should be a great time to visit this site for your Cubs fix.

The conclusion of the 2011 season is bittersweet for Cubs fans. On the bright side, this miserable year is finally over. However, there are still several things that we will miss about baseball season. Among them are:

• The feeling of summer that comes with watching or attending a Cubs game.


• Listening to the talented broadcasters Pat Hughes, Len Kasper, Bob Brenly and Keith Moreland call the games.


• Seeing some of the young guys play during the month of September.


• Complaining about the team. (Oh wait, we can still do that.)


• Escaping from everything else by taking in a ball game.


• Questioning Mike Quade.


• Watching Starlin Castro play every day.


• Hoping each day that the Cubs might pick up a win.

The Cubs were drubbed 9-2 in the regular season finale last night at the hands of San Diego. To make matters worse, the Cardinals some how found a way to win the Wild Card after trailing by 8.5 games on September 3.

There is a new poll up on our right sidebar. Please vote and feel free to comment on this post with your thoughts!

Sometime within the next week or two, we'll have our annual Cubs Report Cards and the Cubbie Awards. Here is what else you can expect on the site this winter!

• Breaking News


• Rumor Updates


• Full Coverage of the Cubs Convention


• More Remembering Ronnie posts


• Cover of the Winter Meetings, including the Santo Hall of Fame vote


• Radio/TV Interview Recaps


• Opening Day Roster Predictions


• 2012 Previews


• And Much More!

Thanks for sticking with me.

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

Break Time

As longtime readers know, there are many times where I take break from blogging for a few weeks at a time, but I always return. This will be one of those times. Many bloggers take their breaks during October while the playoffs are going on if their teams are not involved, but I'd rather have fresh content once the season ends. There will be a few posts during the month of September when news breaks, but not many. Enjoy the rest of the season, Go Cubbies and I look forward to returning!

Ron Santo Day: August 10, 2011

We'll I've been posting about this day since January. With the poor play seen by the team on the field this season, one of my main goals here on Everything Cubs Blog has been to honor Cubs legend Ron Santo.

I think it is evident based on all of my posts, but Ronnie meant so much to me and so many other people. He was such a unique, caring, funny and tough person. To go through everything he went through with diabetes, be a nine time All-Star thirdbaseman, be an entertaining broadcaster, do charitable work for JDRF and be so kind, it takes an incredible man.

Visit the posts labeled Ron Santo section on my blog to read all my memories of Ronnie. I miss him every time I turn on the radio during the Cubs game.

Today, the Ron Santo statue unveiling will take place at 5:30pm Central Time at the corner of Addison and Sheffield. Billy Williams, Fergie Jenkins, Ernie Banks, Randy Hundly, Glen Beckert, Milt Pappas, Pat Hughes, Ron's family, the Ricketts family and more will be involved in the dedication. It should be interesting to see what the statue looks like. Hughes has narrowed it down to three possibilities: a) Ron fielding b) Ron hitting c) Ron's hairpiece catching on fire!

The statue unveiling will be broadcast live in its entirety on CLTV with clips shown on the WGN-TV News. Live coverage will also air on WGN Radio at 5:30.

Don't forget that Cubs Corner, a Ron Santo special, will air on WGN Radio today at noon. Hosts Dave Eanet, Brian Noonan and Andrea Darlas will be joined by Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Fergie Jenkins and Pat Hughes. From 1-3 on WGN-720, Nick Digillio will have Santo memories and broadcasting highlights!

Ron Santo Junior joined Greg Jarrett and Dave Eanet this morning on WGN Radio, while Len Kasper stopped by to talk about Ronnie yesterday. Click here for the page that includes both uncut podcasts.

Everything Cubs blog will forever honor Ronnie with his picture on the right sidebar. Our posts about Ron will not end today. Tomorrow I'll recap all the events and then we will return with Remembering Ronnie Roundups once a month for the rest of 2011.

Post #900- Still Going Strong

Today on Everything Cubs blog we reach another milestone post- the 900th to appear on this site. Just 100 away from four digits! Since 2008, I've been bringing you Cubs coverage. Thank you so much for reading, especially for sticking with me this year when posts have decreased in number and I've had several stretches where I was unable to post. I plan to continue blogging for the foreseeable future!

Be sure to vote on the poll on our right sidebar to grade Mike Quade's tenure with the Cubs! Also, tonight I will be posting a game recap of the Cubs/Pirates game on View From the Bleachers, so be sure to check out that great site. As always, if you have any questions or comments about this blog, email me at cubsblogmailbag@aol.com.

Now, let us jump into the latest in the world of Cubs baseball:

• Last night the Cubs pulled off an amazing comeback after being down 8-0 as late as the sixth inning to avoid being swept by the Nationals in a four game series. They eventually won the game 10-9 behind homers by Blake DeWitt and Carlos Pena. If you gave up and tuned out, you missed one of the most improbable Cubs victories in recent years.


• In fact, the last time the Cubs overcame an eight run defficet was one of my favorite Cubs games of all time. In May of 2008, the North Siders topped Colorado after being behind 8-0 and 9-1. Henry Blanco, Mark DeRosa and Jim Edmonds were the heroes of that game.


• Bob Brenly will be taking off the final series before the All-Star Break. Todd Hollandswoth will fill-in tonight with Len Kasper, while Dave Otto takes Holly's place alongside David Kaplan on the CSN postgame show.


• The Giants need a catcher, but they are not talking to the Cubs about Koyie Hill or Geovany Soto.


• Jon Heyman says that Mike Quade's job is safe, but Jim Hendry's is not.


• Kerry Wood does not plan on waiving his no-trade clause. He's staying in Chicago.


• Ryan Dempster missed his last start with a back issue, but Carrie Muskat reports that he plans on returning to the mound on Saturday night.


• Carlos Zambrano, who is disabled with a bad back of his own, will make a rehab start for Class-A Peoria tonight. He is elgible to come off the DL for the third game after the All-Star Break.


• According to Muskat, MRI results for Marcos Mateo are expected today.

That's it for now, but I'll keep you posted on Everything Cubs as always!

Everything Cubs Site Notes

I want to once again wish everyone a happy New Year and thank you for reading the over 800 posts on Everything Cubs blog over the last two years. I will continue to provide you with the latest on everything Cubs! Today, let's reset to remind you about some of the features on the site and provide you with links to articles over the holiday break in case you are just retuning to the office and starting to check in on the site again.

Comments and Emails
We love when you contact us here on Everything Cubs Blog! Remember that it is easy to comment on any posts. No log-in is required and the option to comment anonymously is available. Click on where it says comments at the bottom of each post or click on the post heading and then scroll down to comment. Also, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions regarding the site or the Cubs, pop me an email at cubsblogmailbag@aol.com.

Polls
Thanks to everyone that voted on our last poll. Here are the results:
Question: Who should join Pat Hughes in the WGN Radio Booth in 2011?
Answers:
1. Dave Otto- 26 votes
2. Rick Suttcliffe- 9 votes
3. Mark Grace- 3 votes
4. Dan Plesac- 2 votes
5. Other, Todd Hollandsworth, Keith Moreland- 1 vote each.

A new poll has been posted for a few days on the right sidebar. It askes what you are most looking forward to about the 2011 season. Please vote if you have not already!

RIP Ron Santo
Some of you have probably noticed the picture and writing to honor Ron Santo on the right sidebar. That will remain there for as long as I write on this site. Ronnie should not be forgotten and will not be forgotten by true fans.

2011 Schedule Previews
I recently wrapped up a six part series previewing the Cubs 2011 schedule. Links to the start of the month-by-month breakdown can be accessed by clicking here. I wrapped it up this past weekend with August and September.

Other Recent Posts
The Cubs Convention is just over a week away! Click here for an early preview. Today the Hall of Fame voting results were posted, and my final post of 2010 reviewed the top ten Cubs news stories of the year.

Upcoming Posts
Next week we will countdown to the Cubs Convention and then provide full coverage all weekend long. We will finish out this week with coverage of all the latest rumors and news, including the Cubs pursuit of Matt Garza. Also, a Down on the Farm Report should be in the works this weekend or sometime next week.

Thank you once again for reading!

Radio Recaps: Talkin' Z on The Score

It's our 700th post here on Everything Cubs Blog! Let's get into some radio chatter from this week so far.

Ken Rosenthal was on 670 the Score with Mully & Hanley yesterday to talk about Big Z:

• The ideal solution would be to trade Carlos Zambrano immediately.
• The idea that Zambrano cannot be traded isn't accurate. Ken cited the Milton Bradley trade as a situation where the Cubs saved money on a guy that was considered untradeable.
• If Zambrano comes back, he will pitch in the bullpen. Then, they will work feverishly to trade him.
• The only way Rosenthal could see a trade happening is if there's another big contract like Carlos Silva out there for the Cubs to swap for Z. He thinks there could be a few others out there that match.

Len Kasper was on the Danny Mac show to talk about the situation:

• Brian Schlitter does not have a fork ball or else it would be a Schlitter splitter.
• Just about every game Zambrano pitches Kasper is asked the question, "How do you think he'll be today?"
• The team meeting on Saturday could help this club to relax more.
• Len is not convinced that the Lou blowup in 2007 caused the Cubs hot streak, and he is not convinced that this incident will help this team play better.
• Kasper didn't like the fact that Zambrano was not showing emotion towards himself, he was yelling at everyone else.
• In the case of Z VS Lee, Derrek gets the benefit of the doubt.
• D-Lee didn't want to fight Zambrano, he just told him to calm down and shut up.
• There were issues with Carlos even before the Cubs gave him the big contract.
• Len thinks that Zambrano was moved to the bullpen the first time because he fit there, not as a punishment. This time around, it is more of a punishment.
• Kasper has never had an issue with Z off the field, and gets along with him great.
• Walking into the clubhouse and saying "Hey guys, I'm sorry," might not cut it this time.

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

A Year & 500 Posts Later...

Posting, updating, and writing about our beloved Chicago Cubs on a daily basis, all year around is a blast.

This posts is my 500th since I began the blog. 500! It's hard to believe that I've had that many write ups! In addition to being the 500th, today is also the one year anniversary from the time I started the blog. I've had so much fun writing exactly 500 posts in the last year, and I'll look to at least match that total, which is an average of 1.4 posts per day, in the year to come.

2009 was a tough year for the Cubbies, but there were still a number of bright moments... and plenty of interesting stories. I would like to thank all of you who have been checking out my blog over this year. I try to be a good source for all of our Cubs' info, and I hope you've enjoyed this blog as much as I have.

It is especially interesting to blog on the Cubs during this season... the Hot Stove Season! I plan to continue to post everyday leading up to Opening Day!

A few site reminders...

• You can email your thoughts anytime at cubsblogmailbag@aol.com.
• Please vote on our Cubs Poll on the right sidebar!
• It's easy to comment... no log in is necessary!
• Check out our Cubs Links, also located on the right sidebar
• If you have a site that you would like to see on the cubs links, email me
• Follow our Cubs Farm Update Twitter for updates on the Cubs minor league teams during the regular season, and updates on Winter Ball in the offseason!
• You can now share our site via Twitter and Facebook (under our poll)
• Remember to bookmark this site in your favorites!

Check out some of our special posts:

• First Post
• First Rumor Post
• First Radio Recaps
• First post of 2009
• First Cubs chat
• Post #100
• First post under new URL and Name
• Last week's Q&A with Bruce Miles

Also, click here to read up on the winter meetings via links.

Email with any suggestions as to what you would like to see on the site! In the next month or two expect lots of Cubs Convention coverage, a few Q&As, Cubs in Winter Ball Updates, Radio Recaps, Number Breakdowns, all Cubs rumors and news, and much more.

Once again, thank you for reading.

Let me repeat what I said on that very first post:

I'll help you get through the off season because we're all still waiting until next year.....