Results tagged “chicagocubs”

The Cubs and the Chicago Park District are in negotiations to build a $2 million replica of Wrigley Field for high school baseball teams to use just two miles west of the actual Wrigley. The replica--complete with ivy-covered brick walls, a Wrigley-style roofline, and a turf field--would be located at Addison and Rockwell near Lane Tech High School. It would also be modeled after a similar Wrigley lookalike that opened in Humboldt Park last year and is used by Little League teams. more ›

Even against teams that no longer exist, the Cubs can't catch a break. Andre Dawson informed the Tribune last night that he'll be going in to the Hall of Fame as a Montreal Expo and not a Chicago Cub. Dawson sent the Trib a text, saying, "Hall will issue a press release (Wednesday) announcing that I will go in as an Expo." Dawson played his first 11 seasons (1976-1986) with the Expos, a stretch that included the 1977 Rookie of the Year, six Gold Gloves, three Silver Sluggers, and three All-Star appearances. After famously signing that blank contract with the Cubs in 1987, Dawson played six seasons (1987-1992) at Wrigley. While with the Cubs, he won the 1987 MVP, made five All-Star teams, won two Gold Gloves, and one Silver Slugger. Dawson had expressed an interest in entering the Hall as a Cub - a move that would have resulted in the team retiring his No. 8 - but the Hall has other plans. Dawson will become only the second player in the Hall as an Expo: catcher Gary Carter, who like Dawson played a bulk of his career with the Expos but is better remembered for his time with another team (the NY Mets), is the other. more ›

Perhaps Crane Kenney was green with envy after the White Sox moved into sparkling new Spring Training digs in Glendale, Arizona last winter. For the past year, the Cubs' president has been exploring options for new spring training facilities for the North Siders -- even toying with the idea of the Cubbies moving to Florida and the Grapefruit League after more than 50 years in Arizona. While wooed heavily by Naples, Florida, the Cubs have decided to stay put in Mesa after reaching an agreement with the city for a brand new $84-million facility. more ›

With the Ricketts family finally in charge of the team, fans at the 25th annual Cubs Convention anxiously awaited to hear the new ownership's plans for their beloved team as well as get a preview for the upcoming season from Jim Hendry, Lou Piniella and players in attendance. more ›

As baseball season was starting last year, former Chicago Cub Milton Bradley signed a lease for a luxury Magnificent Mile condo, a $15,000-a-month lease that his landlord claims he walked out on this past October. The landlord and the realty company that helped lease the 24th-floor Park Hyatt condo, 800 N. Michigan Ave., are both suing Bradley for $44,100 in back rent, late fees, and interest through January. They will also be seeking further rent payments until the lease runs out. more ›

Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings are underway at a hotel in Indianapolis, and of course it's a veritable hotbed of rumors about trades and free agent signings. But the most persistent rumors flowing throughout the gathering involve the Cubs' Milton Bradley -- so much so that it's become the running joke around the hotel. His inability to fit in with the Cubs was well documented, and moving the disgruntled outfielder has topped GM Jim Hendry's off-season to-do list. more ›

Earlier this week, we talked about the Cubs erecting a pair of billboards that would block the view of a rooftop on Waveland emblazoned with an ad for the Horseshoe Casino. Most fans remember the rooftop from previous years when it was painted red and featured the Budweiser logo on it. It seems the new chairman for the Cubs, Tom Ricketts wasn't pleased and Cubs spokesman Peter Chase said the team was: "looking to protect our corporate partner family who invest their resources with us to be our official sponsors. It's important that we protect our brand in the marketplace, protect the value of our corporate partners and protect against anyone trying to ambush our brand." Which seems to be a not-so-subtle way of saying, "We're trying to protect Budweiser." The team never had an issue with the large Budweiser rooftop sign, the bleachers at Wrigley are officially sponsored by Bud Light, and, well, we all know what kind of man Harry Caray was. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But what company is expected to become advertisers on the new billboards? According to CBS 2, Budweiser. more ›

This weekend, the web was abuzz when pictures of former Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa from a recent Vegas event surfaced that showed him looking a bit paler than usual, raising speculation as to its cause, including it being a result of alleged steroid use. A former Cubs employee defended Sosa, saying he'd recently undergone some skin treatment. Appearing on Univisions's "Primer Impacto" program, Sosa himself has addressed the uproar by explaining, "It's a cream that I have, that I use to soften [my skin], but has bleached me some." He then inexplicably said, "I'm not a racist, I live my life happily." So to recap, Sosa's just trying to keep his skin soft and that's why he looks white, not because he wants to be white. more ›

Take a look at the photo on the left -- a recent photo of former Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa we first came across on Deadspin the other day. It was shot at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas when the slugger attended the Latin Grammys 2009 Person Of The Year Event Honoring singer Juan Gabriel. In addition to the ghostly skin, it also looks like Sosa's had some eye work done, too. The nose still looks to be stock, but we guess each starts their rebuilding process differently. Nobody can deny he looks very, very different from how he did even a couple years ago, as seen in photo on the right, taken when he testified to Congress about performance enhancing drugs. Some speculate that Sosa may be suffering from vitiligo like Michael Jackson but, in this case, caused by years of alleged steroid use. more ›

With last week's announcement of the Cubbies' new ownership - the Ricketts family - came a historic, gay caveat. One of the four new sibling owners, out lesbian Laura Ricketts, is the first openly gay owner of a professional sports team. more ›

In a move that was expected, the Chicago Cubs have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The filing means the tam's new owners - the Ricketts family - will be protected from the Tribune Company's creditors stemming from the company's own bankruptcy filing in December 2008 (the Cubs were not included in that filing). Last week, Major League Baseball owners approved the sale of the team to the Ricketts. more ›

Last season, both our baseball teams reached the playoffs. This time around, both the Cubs and White Sox cleaned out their lockers. This was not unexpected for the Sox, but many truly thought this was going to be the Cubs' year. And yet fans on both sides of town are left to "wait until next year." more ›

Embattled Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley tried to improve a very bad situation on Wednesday, by issuing a formal apology through his agents. Bradley also dropped his union grievance over the suspension on Wednesday, when the Cubs agreed to suspend him with pay -- meaning he'll earn about $400,000 while sitting at home (waaaaaaaaaaaaay more than what Marcus makes by blogging in his underwear from a basement). more ›

Don't want to say "we told you so," but we suspected the Cubs would be sorry when they signed Milton Bradkey to a three year, $30 million free agent contract during the off-season. Seems management has finally reached their breaking point with the outfielder before he finished even one season in Chicago, suspending him for the remainder of the season. more ›

A pair of former Cubs have made the news recently. Here are their strange tales more ›

We all know there are some jerks in the Wrigley Field bleachers. And while some hurl beers at the opponents' outfielders, others have been known to hurl insults at an under performing Cubs outfielder or two -- just ask Corey Patterson, Jacque Jones, or Juan Pierre. So does it surprise anybody that Milton Bradley, the Cubs' current waste of $10 million, is whining that Cubs fans say mean things? "I'm talking about hatred, period. I'm talking about when I go to eat at a restaurant, I have to listen to the waiters bad-mouthing me at another table, sitting in a restaurant, that's what I'm talking about -- everything, " explained Bradley when asked on Wednesday to clarify comments made the day before. more ›

The subject of a city-wide manhunt, the young man caught on tape tossing a beer from the Wrigley Field bleachers on to Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino turned himself in to Chicago police on Thursday. Johnny Macchione, a 21-year old college student from suburban Bartlett, turned himself in and spent a few hours being questioned by detectives before being booked at the Belmont Area police precinct. He was charged with two misdemeanors -- battery and illegal conduct in a sports facility. Macchione was released on bond on Thursday evening. more ›

During last night's debacle at Wrigley, one bleacher bum decided it was a good idea to toss his beer on Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino, who had just caught a fly ball hit by Jake Fox in left-center field. Another fan. who began taunting Victorino, was ejected by security becuse they thought he was the brew hurler. In fact, he was not but by the time Cubs security could view tape of the situation, the offender has slipped away. The Cubs hope to identify the fan and prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law. The team hopes other Cubs fans will help to identify the culprit. more ›

Mark Prior last appeared in a major league game almost three years ago -- on August 10, 2006, for the Cubs. That may end up being the last time the former phenom ever toes the mound in the big leagues. After days of speculation, the San Diego Padres officially released Prior, who has been rehabbing in the minor leagues following multiple surgeries. Will any other team take a flier on the once future superstar? With a lifetime record of 42-29 with a 3.51 ERA before the injury bug derailed his career, somebody will likely sign him to another minor league deal in the hopes he can return to "the show." However, we're in the camp who think he's finished. more ›

There is a time and a place for everything. Cubs fans watching the interview between Len & Bob and Erik Estrada last night learned that a 7th inning interview might not be the best place for a conversation about seeing "a lot of child pornography" as well as bringing up - in a complimentary manner - the best known part of Ron Jeremy. more ›

Despite the fact White Sox fans outnumber Cubs fans on this site (though a Cubs fan is in charge), we have to take time to acknowledge a historic game played within the Friendly Confines 25 years ago today. It was on June 23rd, 1984 that the baseball world saw what a young player with the goofily-spelled first name of "Ryne" could do. more ›

Our two beloved baseball teams face off this week for the first time this season, and as usual the hoopla and hype over the series begins well in advance of the first pitch. Never one to shy away from taking the first shot, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen let his true feelings for the Friendly Confines be known on Sunday: "One thing about Wrigley Field, I puke every time I go there." He continued, "That's just to be honest. And if Cub fans don't like the way I talk about Wrigley Field, it's just Wrigley Field. I don't say anything about the fans or anything now. But Wrigley Field, they got to respect my opinion. That's the way I feel." more ›

Curses sure are a hard thing to shake, and the one hanging over the Cubs may have reared its ugly head again this weekend [Ed's Note: Benjy, I've told you that curses aren't real! - M.G.]. The Cubs have lost their ace for a while, with word coming Monday afternoon that Carlos Zambrano is headed to the 15-Day DL for an injury suffered on the basepaths. This trip to the disabled list comes after Zambrano injured his hamstring trying to beat out a bunt on Sunday. He'll likely miss his next three scheduled starts. more ›

Despite prior beliefs that baseball season would bring with it rainbows and clear skies and flocks of birds and 60+ temps and spring cleavage and all the majesty and glory that goes along with baseball, here we sit in dismal Chicago greyness and chill. No matter! The Chicagoist Podcast Series has the joy of springtime in its heart, and you can hear it in our voices as we sing zip-a-dee freaking doo-dah into today's (and tomorrow's) games. more ›

The Chicago Cubs firmed up their bullpen with today's announcement that Kevin Gregg will start the season as the team's closer instead of Carlos Marmol. Gregg, acquired during the offseason from the Florida Marlins, was 7-8 with a 3.41 ERA and 29 saves in 38 save opportunities last year while Marmol, primarily a set-up man behind then-closer Kerry Wood, was 2-4 with a 2.86 ERA and 7 saves in 9 save opportunities, though he did look shaky at times compared to his stellar 2007 run as the Cubs' set-up man. Besides more major league experience, Gregg's better statistics throughout Spring Training seem to have given him the edge. Though as the Trib's Paul Sullivan points out, the closer position shouldn't be an issue as between Gregg's experience and Marmol's potential, the team should be fine; it's the middle relief men that's causing some worries with only one left-hander (Neal Cotts) in the bullpen. [Tribune] more ›

Safely away from Chicago, Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney mentioned the team's desire to play a total of 50 night games, an increase over the current 30 allowed in an agreement between the club, the city and the local Wrigleyville residents. Speaking to the Marco Island (FL) Sunrise Rotary Club, Kenney explained, "Players like a routine," and that additional night games would relieve the players of playing day games after arriving from road trips in the early-morning hours. In 2009, the Cubs have just one game that falls into that category -- their home opener on April 12 following a night game in Milwaukee. more ›

The Cubs announced this week that on May 3, they will retire jersey #31. And while they will be increasing the number of numbers from four to five, the club of honorees will be increasing by 50%. This retirement ceremony will be unique, in that two players will be having the number retired in their honor. Fergie Jenkins and Greg Maddux -- perhaps the best two pitchers ever to wear Cubs pinstripes -- both wore the number during their days in Chicago and will see it hung at Wrigley in their honors. more ›

Despite the fact the Tribune Company has picked a buyer for the Chicago Cubs, it doesn't look like they'll be rid of the team by Opening Day as had been originally hoped. Cubs chairman Crane Kenney said talks to hammer out an official deal continue and that the negotiations will likely continue even as the Cubs' April 6th Opening Day comes and goes. more ›

Some think they're a key element of Wrigley's "ballpark in a neighborhood" charm. Others hold them in disdain for the way they turned a quirky fringe benefit of living near Wrigley into a business, making money hand-over-fist from a stolen product. Sure, the rooftops surrounding Wrigley Field now pay a fee to the Cubs. But they still howl over any proposed enhancements to the ballpark that might limit their sight lines even if it might improve the cash flow for the team that's actually paying the players' salaries. more ›

He may be known as "Sweet Lou" to Cubs fans, but Lou Piniella sure doesn't feel that way towards EPSN's baseball analyst Steve Phillips after his recent comments on Chet Coppack's radio show. Appearing on ESPN 1000 with Coppack, Phillips accused the Cubs skipper of lacking patience with Japanese import Kosuke Fukudome last season. more ›