March 2011
You are browsing the archive for March 2011.
Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs 8 and 2, A’s 1 and Rockies 4 – March 15, 2011
I do apologize if the headings to these split-squad days have giving you headaches, but, for whatever reason, they make me smile. No worries, though – today was the last split-squad day. And split it was, as the Cubs beat the A’s handily, but lost a close one to the Rockies. On to what matters… [...]
The Second Cut is the Deepest: Cubs Send 18 Packing
In what was technically the second cut of the Spring, the Chicago Cubs today shuffled loose 18 players, bringing the Spring roster down to 40. Among the cuts were pitching prospects Jay Jackson, Trey McNutt, Chris Carpenter, Alberto Cabrera, Kyle Smit and Rafael Dolis. Though all have potentially promising futures, none were expected to break [...]
Can’t Wait: Bartman Documentary to Premier at Tribeca Film Festival
Get ready to be equal parts annoyed and miserable. Next month, the long-awaited documentary about Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS and the infamous Bartman incident will premier at the Tribeca Film Festival after months of delay. Originally slated for release on October 26 – in tandem with the World Series and as part of ESPN’s 30 [...]
More Michael Young Rumors
This weekend, the Boston Globe suggested that the Chicago Cubs continued look at disgruntled Ranger Michael Young as a possible trade target, believing that Young would be an upgrade at second base over the anticipated Blake DeWitt/Jeff Baker platoon. I said then and will reiterate now: trading for Young is both highly unlikely and highly [...]
God’s Wrath Watch: A Myriad of Minor Injuries
The Chicago Cubs (you better knock on some wood) have had a relatively healthy Spring, particularly for their most important players. Starlin Castro’s bruised leg – which is not considered serious in any way – is the lone exception. Otherwise, the injuries have been to non-essential folks and guys trying to make the roster; and [...]
Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs 3, Mariners 5 – March 14, 2011
Matt Garza had his first decent outing of the Spring, though it was still far from sparkling: two walks and three hits in four innings, one earned, and three Ks. Solid, but not great… Reed Johnson went hitless again, dropping his Spring average to .138. Fernando Perez has an option left, so you’d have to [...]
Braden Looper: 25-Man Roster or Bust
Non-roster invitee Braden Looper does not intend to head to the minor leagues or another team if he doesn’t make the Chicago Cubs. And that’s not because he’s stubborn or prideful – he’s just decided that he’ll either play for the Cubs this year or he’ll go home and be with his family. “Baseball’s extremely [...]
God’s Sigh of Relief Watch: Starlin Castro OK
If there is one player the Chicago Cubs cannot afford to lose this year – for a variety of reasons, some performance-related, and some attendance-related – it’s probably shortstop Starlin Castro. Not only is Castro a unique talent and tearing the cover off the ball this Spring, the Cubs don’t have much in the way [...]
