The hot bat of Starlin Castro has been one of the nice surprises to the Chicago Cubs and the rest of Major League baseball through the season's first month.Castro, at the tender age of 21, has seemingly erased any doubt about a possible "sophomore slump" in his second year in the Windy City.The question the Cubs must be asking is, "How high is his ceiling?"Players as young as Castro generally don't sniff a major league ballpark until September, when rosters are expanded and teams do unofficial "tryouts" for next season.But Castro has already logged over 550 at-bats as a big-leaguer—and ...
Let the speculation begin.
Lou Piniella will retire at season's end, meaning there will be no shortage of rumors swirling around Wrigley Field in regards to their new manager.
It won't be LeBron James-caliber of rumors, but you'll expect to hear the names Ryne Sandberg, Joe Girardi, Joe Torre, Bob Brenly, and, for that matter, Phil Jackson, over the next three months.
Piniella seemed defeated long ago, even before the 2010 season began.
His Cubs' career began with such promise, but, like all things Cubs-related, it will end on a sour note.
Sweet Lou said and did all the right things when he was hired ...
At 26-31 and 6.5 games out of first place in the NL Central, the Chicago Cubs are certainly still in the race for the playoffs—after all, it's only June.
But this team does not have the feel of a playoff team, and I know I'm not alone in thinking that.
The Cubs rank No. 7 in the National League in team hitting and No. 9 in team pitching, respectively, but it seems like they should be in the bottom-third with the way they've played at times this season.
2010 has not been kind to the Chicago Cubs, and the 25 men on the roster ...
When your top offseason acquisition is a hitting coach, you know it was a quiet winter.
But Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd is doing his best to get people talking about him—rather than hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo.
Byrd was overlooked when he was brought into the fold on the last day of 2009. The impending New Year (and an episode of Jersey Shore, as I recall) was on more minds than Marlon was.
Byrd had a very quiet 20-home run, 89-RBI season a year ago, and it was easy to dismiss his signing as "just another guy."
People pointed out that Rangers Ballpark was a hitter's ...
In one of the more bizarre moves you'll read about, the Cubs announced today that Opening Day starter Carlos Zambrano will be moved to the bullpen.
Zambrano, 1-2 with a 7.45 ERA so far in 2010, figures to be the primary set-up man for closer Carlos Marmol.
The Cubs' bullpen has been atrocious this season, and there is no question that a move had to be made.
You can't fault manager Lou Piniella for trying to shake things up, but taking away a three-time all-star from your starting rotation is not the answer.
It's too early in the season to push the panic button in significantly ...
Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock.
The wait is almost over for Chicago Cubs baseball. If your glass is half-full, then you're probably very optimistic about this season.
On the other hand, you might not be so rosy about this Cubs squad and might not think too much of 2010.
Either way, the 25-man roster has been finalized, and manager Lou Piniella will head out to the dugout for his fourth season on the north side.
This squad is likely his least talented in his four seasons, but anything can happen in the game of baseball.
Cubs fans whose glass is half-empty will be hoping this statement ...
With 25 days until Opening Day for the Chicago Cubs, I would like to clear the air about one Cub.
Kevin Millar, owner of a World Series ring and scruffy facial hair, is, in the simplest form, no longer a serviceable major leaguer.
If he makes the team out of camp it will be because his image as a blue-collar "winner" preceded him, and likely not because he tore the cover off the ball in Arizona against AAA pitching (although he is hitting a robust .400 so far this spring...in five at-bats).
I'm not here to argue Millar's resume because it speaks for itself.
He ...
What can the Chicago Cubs do for an encore in 2010?
2009 started off with the highest of expectations, but a season of hope and promise quickly turned into one of dismal performances and despair.
A team that was predicted to win the National League by most "experts" did not even qualify for the playoffs.
Their season was derailed by injuries early and often, and a manager, front office, and city of fans were left scratching their heads, wondering what the hell happened to a 97-win ball club.
Of course, injuries are just a cop-out—the good teams will win no matter what.
Poor performances ...
The 2009 Chicago Cubs season is winding down.
This means two things: It's time to look forward to football full-time (most of you already have) and it's time to evaluate the worst members of the 2009 Cubs.
Nothing went right for this bunch in 2009. They were picked by nearly everyone to run away with the National League Central Division.
They were picked by many to represent the National League in the World Series.
Some brainiacs even said, "This is the year" that the Cubs would win the World...I'm not even going to finish that sentence.
As we stare at our September calendars we see ...
You've probably heard everyone who thinks they're anyone give their opinion on the 2009 Cubs. Yes, they have underachieved. Yes, they have disappointed millions.
What you have not heard yet is the Cubs 2009 season in terms of Led Zeppelin songs.
The greatest band ever and the not-so-great Cubs, a match made in heaven.
Here is the season recap based on popular songs by Led Zeppelin.
Stairway to Heaven:
If heaven is a World Series title, then the Cubs have been lost in their search for the right stairway for 101 years. Haven't they found the "stairway" sign on the wall? They're usually clearly ...
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