The Sale, Cubs Win, Kerry's 20 Ks, and More

• The Cubs made a roster move today sending Jeff Samardzija to AAA-Iowa and calling up Chad Fox to pitch in the Cubs bullpen.
• Milton Bradley had a hearing the was nearly 2 hours today about his suspension that he has appealed, but there is not a decision yet. He expects to hear something in the next 2 days.
• The sale of the Cubs is progressing slowly according to Cubs.com and other sources. It is not expected to be done by the time the owners meet May 20-21.
• Cubs win 6-3 tonight! Reed Johnson a 3 run triple, and Rich Harden pitched a great game. Aramis Ramirez went deep in the win.
• Lee missed tonight's game with a stiff neck.

This Date in Cubs History:

1994- The Cubs 10-1 win over the Pirates ends Anthony Young's 29-game losing streak as a starter and also snaps the Cubs 14 game skid at home.

1998- This is one everyone remembers, Kerry Wood, Cubs Rookie, tied a major league record with 20 strike outs in a 2-0 win over the Astros. He gave up just one hit.

I'll keep you posted on Lee, the sale, and everything Cubs!

Top 4 CDs for Cubs Fans

4. Cubs Greatest Hits:

Live Calls from Pat and Ron from 1998 including the game where the Cubs clinched a playoff birth. Also Harry Caray singing, Go Cubs Go, and What I Like About You.

3. Take Me Out to a Cubs Game CD: 0

16 Great Songs, and the Call of Kosuke's HR from Opening Day 2008, and the call of Ernie Banks' 500th homer. See this site for more info.

2. "Welcome to the Friendly Confines of The Pat and Ron Show" - The CD:

If you love Pat and Ron, this is a must get CD for you! This CD includes mostly the weird, silly, and hilarious moments of Pat and Ron. Link to buy CD.

1. Harry Caray "Voice of the Fans" CD.

Part of Pat Hughes' "Baseball Voices series, it's a must get for any Harry Caray fan. Some funny moments, some great moments, some sad moments, you want this CD!

Link for info on all of Pat' "Baseball Voices CDs".

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Cubs lost yesterday, they'll hope to start a new win streak tonight against the Astros at 7:05 CT. It's game 1 of a short 2-game series in Houston, then it's on to Milwaukee.

Cubbie Birthdays:

Leo Burke (75)

Bill Hands (69)

I'll keep you posted!

Randy Wells to be Called Up, Luis Vizcaino Released

• Randy Wells will be called up to take Zambrano's spot in the rotation according to the Sun Times. It looks like he will be starting on Friday.
• The Cubs officially released Luis Vizcaino yesterday.
• Vizcaino, who actually didn't pitch that poorly, got in Lou's dog house by showing up late to the first to games of the season and reporting to Spring Training out of shape.

Cubbie Birthdays:

Dave Gumpert (51)

Jim Kirby (86)

Lennie Merullo (92)

This Date in Cubs History:

1999- The Cubs became the 3rd team in the 1900s to give up a run in every inning in a 13-6 loss to the Rockies.

1989- Andre Dawson picks up 4 hits, he now has 8 hits in his last 8 ABs including 2 3B and 2 HR. The Cubs won the game 4-2 over the Dodgers.

Zambrano Placed on DL

Carlos Zambrano has been placed on the 15-day DL with a strained left hamstring. Not Good! Bobby Scales has been called up from AAA-Iowa to take Z's spot on the 25-man roster. The Cubs will now have an extra guy on the bench so they can get some rest for guys that have been playing every day. The leading candidates to take Zambrano's spot in the rotation are Jose Ascaino, Randy Wells, Mitch Atkins, and Esmalin Caridad.
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Happy Birthday to the following former Cubs today!:
Manuel Aybar (37)
Cy Block (90)
Joe Borowski (38)
Miguel Cairo (35)
Ox Miller (94)

And this Date in Cubs History:
2005- For the 5th time in MLB history, 2 300-game winners faced each other with Greg Maddux pitching for the Cubs against Roger Clemens. The Cubs beat the 'Stros 3-2.

1999- The Cubs blew an early 8-2 lead with the Rockies scoring 3 in the 6th, 7th, and 8th to take the 11-8 lead. The Cubbies bounced back by scoring 2 in the bottom of the 9th, to win 12-11 in a wild game.

Cubs leading the Giants right now, I'll keep you posted!

Look at the week Ahead

The Cubs have now won 3 in a row an taken 3 out of 4 from the Marlins! The big blow was a Derrek Lee Grand Slam in a 6-4 win. Carlos Zambrano left the game with a strained left hamstring, I'll keep you posted on him.

Here's the schedule for this week:

Monday- VS SF, 7:05 WCIU
Tuesday- VS SF, 1:20 CSN
Wednesday- @ HOU, 7:05 CSN
Thurs.- @HOU, 7:05 CSN+
Fri- @ MIL, 7:05 WGN
Sat.- @ MIL, 6:05 CSN
Sun.- @MIL, 1:05 WGN

I'll keep you posted as always.

Number 31 To Be Retired Before Today's Game

Today, the pre-game news conference will begain at Noon CT, and the induction will take place at 1:45 CT. Greg Maddux and Fergie Jenkins will both be honored joining Sandberg, Santo, Banks, and Williams on the flag poles. I'm not sure if they will each get their own flag, or if they will put up just 1.

Some Cubs Notes:

• Theriot's Grand Slam on Friday broke a streak of 620 homer-less ABs. Then of course, the very next day he goes deep again.
• Theriot, Fontenot, and Soriano have played in 23 games so far.
• Lou Piniella said he never remembers facing Fergie Jenkins as a player, but he did going 1-8.
• Aramis Ramirez could return to the lineup today.
• Lou talked about Greg and Fergie. (Link)

The pitching matchup is Carlos Zambrano VS Ricky Nolasco.

Cubbie Birthdays:

Chris Cannizzaro (71)

Joe Kmak (46)

Dave Lopes (64)

Ryan Dempster! (32)

On This Date in Cubs History:

1980: Fergie Jenkins became the 4th major league pitcher to win 100 games in a 3-2 win against the Orioles.

Let's win 3 in a row!

Cubs Split first 2 with Marlins

The Cubs tied the series yesterday with a big 8-5 win. Ryan Theriot hit a clutch Grand Slam that was the difference in the game. It was a rare home run for The Riot, but it came at a great time. Let's hope the Cubs can get something going now! Game 3 of the 4 is coming up at 12:05 with Ted Lilly facing Anibal Sanchez.

Cubbie Birthdays:
Keith Moreland (55)
Ramon Tatis (36)

This Date in Cubs History:

1917: At Wrigley Field, southpaw Hippo Vaughn of Chicago and Reds righty Fred Toney throw no-hitters against one another through the first nine innings. The deadlock is broken in the top of the tenth with a one-out single by Larry Kopf, an error and an infield hit by Jim Thorpe, and Toney then sets the Cubs down in order to preserve his extra inning gem.

1994: Changing jersey color from white to blue in an effort to snap losing skid doesn't work as Cubs lose their record eleventh consecutive game when blanked by John Smiley and the Reds, 9-0.

Thanks to everyone who voted on our last poll! The Results:
Q. What division games do you look forward to the most?
Cubs/Cards: 9
Cubs/Brewers: 1
Cubs/Pirates (LOL): 1

Would the person who voted for the Cubs/Pirates please come forward? I hope that was a joke!

Our new poll:
Q: Who is the biggest disappointment of April?

A. Milton Bradley
B. Derrek Lee
C. Geovany Soto
D. Kevin Gregg
E. Other

Comment with you thoughts and please vote on our right sidebar!

Lineup Today:
Soriano- LF
Theriot- SS
Fukudome- CF
Lee- 1B
Hoffpauir- RF
Fontenot- 3B
Soto- C
Miles- 2B
Lilly- P

So we have Lee healthy, now we just really need Ramirez back! Ramirez is still out with a left calf strain Lou Piniella said that when he's ready he'll be out there.

"I don't care who wins as long as it's the Cubs!"