A Look at Ted Lilly's Cubs Career

Don't close the book on Ted Lilly's Cubs career just yet. The idea of Teddy, who is a free agent at the end of the season, returning the the Cubs for 2011 has already been mentioned. Jim Hendry and Lilly are both "open to the possibility".

But for now, let's celebrate what was a terrific and underrated stint with the Cubbies for the left handed pitcher. Click for Ted Lilly's "Getting to Know the Cubs" that I posted a few weeks back.

Dubbed The Bulldog, Lilly brings a high level of intensity night in and night out. Here are some of his more memorable moments in a Cubs uniform.

December 15, 2006
Ted Lilly was signed by the Chicago Cubs. Cubs general manager Jim Hendry was in the hospital and completed the signing from his hospital bed.

April 5, 2007
The Bulldog makes his Cubs debut against the Reds, a 4-1 W in Cincinnati. He took a no hit bid into the fifth inning and gave up only one run over seven strong. Click for the game story from the Sun Times.

April 9, 2007
Lilly pitches the Cubs home opener in front of a sell out crowd at Wrigley. He went six inning and was charged with three runs, but did not get a decision.

June 10, 2007
Lilly defending his teammates by hitting Atlanta Brave Edgar Renteria. There was bad blood between the two teams all series long, but Ted was the one to get ejected from the game. The Cubbies dropped the contest 5-4.

October 4, 2007
The D'backs beat the Cubs and starter Ted Lilly 8-4 in game two of the NLDS. It was Lilly's only postseason start in his tenure in the Windy City. He took the loss.

September 11, 2008
Teddy pulled a move that nobody expects from a pitcher. He ran over St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina in a Cubs/Cards game trying to score a run at the plate. Every time he takes the field, Ted shows that kind of fire!

March of 2009
The lefty got the chance to represent the USA in the World Baseball Classic. He served up a home run to former batterymate Henry Blanco in one of his two appearances.

June 13, 2010
Lilly took a no-hitter into the 9th inning of a Sunday night game at Wrigley against the rivals from the South Side. On a night that the Stanley Cup was at the ballpark, Lilly almost made history of his own. However, ex-Cub Juan Pierre got the first White Sox hit to lead off the 9th. Carlos Marmol came in and got the save in a dramatic 1-0 Cubs win. The victory remains one of few highlights to the Cubs season.

July 27, 2010
Ted did not allow a run in 5.2 innings in his final start as a Cub, but he fell victim to lack of run support once again. The bullpen did not get the job done and the Astros won the game 6-1.

Stats with the Cubs
2007: 15-8, 3.83 ERA, 34 starts
2008: 17-9, 4.09 ERA, 34 starts
2009: 12-9, 3.10 ERA, 27 starts
2010: 3-8, 3.69 ERA, 18 starts

Lilly will make his Dodgers debut tomorrow night.