Cubs Win

In today's game against the Padres, Jason Marquis gave up a three-run homer in the first inning, then sent the next eleven batters back to the dugout without a hit. The Cubs held on to win 7-3.

For the Cub offense, Aramis Ramirez and Ryan Theriot provided the heroics. Ramirez hit a two-run single, and Theriot hit a three-run double. Theriot went two out of three for the day. Marquis helped his own cause with a one-run single in the first inning.

Today's game took place in Peoria, Arizona.

Cubs Lose

Carlos Zambrano looked good as the Cubs starter today against the Giants. He gave up one unearned run in two innings of work. He gave up two hits and struck out two. Despite his good performance, the Cubs lost to the Giants 8-6. The point of spring training, of course, is not to win every game. The whole point is to get your pitchers and all other players in shape to win games when the real season begins.

So look at all this on the bright side. The Cubs picked up nine hits, but allowed two errors. Now is the time to learn how not to make errors later.

Cubs Win

This was opening day in the Cactus League, and the Cubs beat the Giants 12-6. Ryan Dempster pitched two innings for the Cubs and got the win, giving up two hits and one run (a homer). He also struck out two. Sean Gallagher then pitched two innings, striking out two while giving up two hits and one run.

At the plate, Ryan Theriot hit three singles and scored three runs. Mike Fontenot provided more fireworks with a three-run homer, and Felix Pie hit a lead-off homer in the fourth inning.

Spring Training

Spring training is underway, and the thoughts of all Cub fans turn from presidential politics to the politics of Wrigley Field. How will the Cubs fare this year? When will they enter the traditional June swoon? Perhaps never, everyone hopes. Kerry Wood says his arm feels fine. How long will that last? Maybe forever, everyone hopes. Welcome to 2008. It's a whole new season.

Ronny Cedeno

Cub infielder Ronny Cedeno looked impressive in the Venezuelan Winter League this winter. He batted .300, hit three home runs, and knocked in 16 RBIs. In the past, Cedeno has played at shortstop, second base, and third base for the Cubs.

The surprise in all this is that Cedeno played outfield for 12 games this winter, and he played that position well. This opens the possibility that he might compete for one of the outfield spots for the Cubs in the 2008 season.

Cubs Sign Fukudome

Jim Hendry made it official today. The Chicago Cubs have signed Japanese all-star Kosuke Fukudome to a four-year contract. Fukudome has a lifetime .305 batting average with the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Central League.

Fukudome bats lefthanded and throws righthanded. The Cubs have not kept secret their desire to sign the outfielder if he decided to play in North America. The Cub lineup has too many righthanded hitters for the team's win-loss record. If all goes as planned, Fukudome will redress that problem.

Fukudome is also a four-time gold glove winner.

Cub Fans Rejoice

Kosuke Fukudome has signed a four-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. The left-handed outfielder is exactly the player the Cubs want for right field. He will arrive in Chicago next week to complete a physical exam.

Fukudome has played his entire career with the Chunichi Dragons, where he compiled a lifetime batting average of .305. He won the batting championship two times in Japan's Central League.

The editorial board at New Moon is certain that, with the addition of Fukudome, the Cubs will win the 2008 World Series.

We Need Baseball

In times like these, desperate Americans really need the next baseball season to start today. Wars, scandals, politicians, and brainless entertainers are starting to get on our nerves. In the best interest of our fellow citizens, New Moon brings you a moment of sanity from Wrigley Field.

The Chicago Cubs have acquired right-handed relief pitcher Jose Ascanio from the Atlanta Braves. Ascanio, a native of Venezuela, is 22 years old. He reportedly has good control with his fastball, slider, and changeup. Last season, he pitched in 44 games for Double-A Mississippi, ended the season with an ERA of 2.54. In 78 innings he struck out 77 and walked only 18.

Lou Will Stay at Wrigley

Looking ahead to next season, which is what Cub fans do every year, it may be consoling to note that Lou Piniella has promised to remain the Cub manager for the 2008 season. Joe Torre turned down the offer the Yankees gave him, and Lou was one of those mentioned as his potential replacement. But Piniella says he's staying with the Chicago Cubs.

Piniella and General Manager Jim Hendry did a good job of building a new team for the Cubs in 2007. The Cubs continued to improve for the entire season. We can only hope that trend will continue for all of 2008.

Who Will Buy the Cubs?

The Tribune Company has said that it will sell the Cubs in 2007. But now it appears to be pondering a sale sometime in 2008. It also has to decide if it will sell the team separately or along with Wrigley Field and the Chicago franchise of Comcast StortsNet.

According to recent rumors, John Canning, the big-bucks CEO of Madison Dearborn Partners, will probably make a bid for the Cubbies. Other potential buyers have not revealed their plans or the lack thereof.

Season's Over

As far as the Cubs are concerned, the 2007 baseball season is history. Like most fans, I've gotten over yet another disappointment and am now looking forward to another season with good players, good coaches, and a good manager. It no longer matters what faults we saw in the playoffs. Real Cub fans will be back again next year, still hoping for the best.

When I saw my first Cub game back in my childhood, Ernie Banks was playing first base, and Ron Santo was at third. They always gave the best they had, and so did the 2007 team. So no more criticism from me.

But just wait until next year.

Cubs Struggle

Game 3 of the National League Division Series is underway, and Rich Hill has given up two runs. The Cubs trail the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-0 in the third inning. Wertz in warming up in the bullpen.

I was unable to get tickets for the National League Championship Series. If the present trend continues at Wrigley Field, it might not matter.

Arizona has a runner at second base. Tune in and watch the disaster or the miracle.

Jacque Jones just made a great catch to end the inning.

Games 3, 4, and 5

It will be difficult, though not impossible, for the Cubs to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks three games in a row. Despite all the superlatives wasted on the Diamondbacks by the TBS announcers, they are not a better team than the Cubbies. Arizona got lucky, and the Cubs got unlucky.

The Cubs won three games in a row against the Florida Marlins in the 2003 National League Championship Series. But the real issue now is psychological, not statistical. Cub fans smell defeat, but what do the players smell?

Cubs Fall

Carlos Zambrano pitched six brilliant innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks, giving up only one run and four hits. He struck out eight and gave up one base on balls. Then, with the game tied 1-1, Lou Pinella pulled Zambrano and the bullpen fell down the elevator shaft. Arizona scored two runs in the seventh inning, and that's all they needed.

Zambrano is a big strong man. He could have easily pitched one more inning. He could have pitched all nine, rested till Sunday, and pitched again in Game 4. I don't get it. Will there even be a Game 4? This is not a time to be coy.

Cubs Go After Diamondbacks

Carlos Zambrano will be on the mound as the Chicago Cubs take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in the two teams’ first game of the National League Division Series Wednesday night. The game will be played in Phoenix.

Zambrano takes a season record of 18-13 into the game. His ERA stands at 3.95.

Brandon Webb will pitch for the Diamondbacks. His season record is 18-10 with an ERA of 3.10.

The game starts at 9:00 PM Central Time.

Cubs Lose Five in a Row

It's difficult to understand how the Cubs could lose five games in a row to the Florida Marlins this season. The Marlins are the most worthless team in the National League. Only the Cubs could lose five in a row, including the two games in the present three-game series.

The only Major League team worse than the Marlins is Tampa Bay. No real baseball team could ever exist in Florida. Too many swamps. Florida is where you go for spring training. In tonight's loss to Florida, the only people in the ballpark were Cub fans.

It may make some fans feel better to know that Milwaukee lost today's game with St. Louis, but it doesn't make me feel better. Lou Pinella and the Cub players don't seem all that thrilled either.

Even if the Cubs make it into the playoffs, that's as far as they'll go if their five games with Florida give us any indication of the future.

Five Games Left

It isn't going to be easy. The Brewers aren't going to call in sick for the rest of the season, and all the other teams in the Central Division would love drop the Cubs off the end of Navy Pier.

The fans must understand this. Lou Pinella and the coaches already know it. And even the youngest players assumedly know it.

The question is, do I know it?

Six Games To Go

With six games left in the regular season, the Cubs take on the Florida Marlins tonight in Miami. Ted Lilly will be on the mound for the Cubs as they play the first event of a three-game series. Dontrelle Willis will pitch for the Marlins.

Lilly has a record of 15-7 with an ERA of 3.78. Willis's win-lose stats are 9-15 with an ERA of 5.32, but don't let those numbers fool you. Any major-league pitcher can have a good game and make you wish you'd never left Waukegan.

At this point, we have no reason for overconfidence and no reason to assume anything. The Brewers are not about to lie down and go to sleep for six days.

Six Games To Go

The Atlanta Braves helped the Cubs Sunday by beating the Milwaukee Brewers 7-4. The fans at Wrigley Field became quite audible after every score posted for the Atlanta-Milwaukee game, which coincided with the Chicago-Pittsburgh game.

The Cubs had the day off Monday. The St. Louis Cardinals found themselves unable to duplicate Atlanta's heroics as the Cardinals lost to the Brewers 13-5.

This only proves again that you can't make it into the playoffs by hoping the Brewers will lose.

The Cubs have six games to go in the regular season. The fun starts Tuesday night at Miami.

Cubs Demolish Pirates

Two home runs by Alfonso Soriano and one each by Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee powered the Cubs offense in a 9-5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday at Wrigley Field.

Sam Fuld provided the defensive play of the game, if not the whole season. In the seventh inning, Fuld leaped high against the ivy in right field to catch Nyjer Morgan's fly ball. He then bounced off the wall, turned, and threw to Derrek Lee at first base, doubling up Pittsburgh runner Nate McLouth.

It was a great day to watch a ballgame at Wrigley Field.