Month: February 2007

Opening Day for Illini tomorrow!

Tomorrow night the University of Illinois baseball team begins their 2007 season! They face the Ragin’ Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette. It’s a three game set with righty Scott Shaw taking the mound for Game 1. The Cajuns are 5-0 so far this year so this will be no cakewalk but I know the Illini players are … Continue reading “Opening Day for Illini tomorrow!”

Tomorrow night the University of Illinois baseball team begins their 2007 season!

They face the Ragin’ Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette. It’s a three game set with righty Scott Shaw taking the mound for Game 1. The Cajuns are 5-0 so far this year so this will be no cakewalk but I know the Illini players are rarin’ to go and really want to start this season off right with a series win.

Weekend Series Preview

Good luck, Illini!!

Chris Robinson in his Illini days

In other Illini news, I’ve been in email contact with former Illini catcher Chris Robinson. Last I heard from Robbie, he was packing to go to Spring Training.

Last year, he was drafted by the Tigers last year (83rd overall, highest ever by an Illini) then traded to the Cubs organization midseason. He finished up in single-A Daytona.

And now Robbie’s on his way to his first Spring Training. Good luck, Robbie! Hit em where they ain’t!

Correction: Commenter Roger correctly points out that Chris was drafted in 2005, not 2006.


Looking past ARod and Jeter

You and I as baseball fans have patiently waited through winter where there has been relatively little actual baseball news. Sure, there was the winter meetings, the winter leagues and of course the hot stove leagues. But no real action on the ball field since the 2006 postseason. You and I and the media put … Continue reading “Looking past ARod and Jeter”

You and I as baseball fans have patiently waited through winter where there has been relatively little actual baseball news. Sure, there was the winter meetings, the winter leagues and of course the hot stove leagues. But no real action on the ball field since the 2006 postseason. You and I and the media put up with it.

But now, when spring training is about to start, when players are beginning to report, when there is actual news to report, what does the sports media decide to focus their attention on? They take a innocent comment taken from Alex Rodriguez about his relationship with a teammate, twist its meaning, and throw it back in his face.

I would like to say the sports media should take a good look at itself but let’s face it, they do it for a reason. For the same reason, we get to see 24/7 coverage of Anna Nicole Smith on regular news channels when we have major issues in this country. People buy it.

And people wonder why I don’t watch ESPN.

One Yankee person who IS spending a little time beyond the ARod/Jeter debacle is Cliff Corcoran from Bronx Banter. He sums up the players who are reporting for physicals for the Yankees’ spring camp. I couldn’t help noticing one name on that list. Chris Basak.

basak

Infielder Chris Basak is a University of Illinois alum. He played for Itch Jones’ squad in 1999-2000. That was when I started watching the Illini and I vaguely remember Basak playing. He stroked .393 in 1999 and .329 in 2000.

Good luck, Chris. And stay away from the media if you can help it.

 

With minutes to spare, Hendry and Zambrano agree

The Cubs and Carlos Zambrano agreed to a one year contact for $12.4 million. Apparently, they reached agreement with literally minutes to spare. There were still some details to be ironed out by the 2:00pm deadline but arbiters gave them leeway. The figure was slightly higher than the $11.025 million that Zambrano was asking. Now … Continue reading “With minutes to spare, Hendry and Zambrano agree”

The Cubs and Carlos Zambrano agreed to a one year contact for $12.4 million.

Apparently, they reached agreement with literally minutes to spare. There were still some details to be ironed out by the 2:00pm deadline but arbiters gave them leeway.

The figure was slightly higher than the $11.025 million that Zambrano was asking. Now the big question is if the Cubs can lock up Zambrano in a multi-year contract.

Update: What I’ve heard is his contract has a few incentives. They are all awards-based (finishing in the top 5 in Cy-Young, getting on the All-Star team etc).

Fighting Illini.com posts Part 2 of Pre-season review.

This time it’s the Infielders and Outfielders Preview. In 2006, the Illini lost a big chunk of their team to graduation. Well, guess what? The young, green team of 2006 have one more year of experience and are that much better for it Coach Hartleb says: “Shawn plays with such a high energy level,” Hartleb … Continue reading “Fighting Illini.com posts Part 2 of Pre-season review.”

This time it’s the Infielders and Outfielders Preview.

In 2006, the Illini lost a big chunk of their team to graduation. Well, guess what? The young, green team of 2006 have one more year of experience and are that much better for it

Coach Hartleb says:

“Shawn plays with such a high energy level,” Hartleb said. “It’s tough to find players who have the energy to go out and play at that level every single day. There is nothing there that is put-on, that’s just the way he is and the way he plays the game.”

 

Ok, that’s the understatement of the year. Roof plays like there’s a fire under his feet. Hmm.. some trivia I didn’t know… Roof stole 25 bases after not stealing any his first two years.

A big question for the Illini has been “Who’s going to play first base?”. Last year’s firstbaseman, Dave Schultz graduated and is now a volunteer assistant coach. It looks like clutch hitting Mike Rohde may play a role at first as well as two freshman, Matt Dittman and Mike Giller. Even hot-hitting Lars Davis may see some time there.

All this movement trying to fill Schulz’ spot at first, may free up some time for some others. Joe Bonadonna may move in to cover third base since he played a few games there last year. It’s all up in the air.

Only 3 days left till opening day.

Illini Season Preview Part 1: Pitchers and Catchers

BCB’s Top 100 Cubs list reaches #1!

Everyone loves lists. And when it has to to do with baseball, it’s all the better. But when it involves the Cubs, well, that’s nirvana. That’s what Bleed Cubbie Blue has done. I’ve mentioned this list that Al from BCB has been doing all winter before. Since the end of the season last year, he’s … Continue reading “BCB’s Top 100 Cubs list reaches #1!”

Everyone loves lists. And when it has to to do with baseball, it’s all the better.

But when it involves the Cubs, well, that’s nirvana. That’s what Bleed Cubbie Blue has done. I’ve mentioned this list that Al from BCB has been doing all winter before. Since the end of the season last year, he’s been counting down the top 100 Cubs of all time.

banks

And today, he’s reached #1. Ernie Banks. No surprise there.

Ernie Banks is my first baseball memory. I must have been about 5. I was at Wrigley Field with the rest of my family. The only thing I can remember is that Ernie Banks hit a grand slam and my mom missed it because she went to the restroom. And the Cubs won. I remember that, too.

Ernie Banks was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977. I was there. That was my first visit to the Hall. I remember while waiting for the ceremonies to start, a Chicago Tribune reporter was looking for people who had traveled to Cooperstown just to see Banks inducted and I got his attention. I ended up being interviewed by him.

By the way, if you’re interested, Cap Anson was #2. Knowing Cap, he might feel a tad uncomfortable wedged in between Banks and Sosa. Chances are, he’d ask for a different seat.

Bleed Cubbie Blue’s Top 100 Cubs

MLB.com low on creativity lately

I’m sensing a cookie-cutter mentality with the way the teams under the MLB.com umbrella are choosing the topics (and even headlines) for their websites. For example, on February 7 the two headlines read: Pujols leads way in fantasy rankings and Soriano is Cubs’ top fantasy standout Now, in today’s headlines, it’s the same kind of … Continue reading “MLB.com low on creativity lately”

I’m sensing a cookie-cutter mentality with the way the teams under the MLB.com umbrella are choosing the topics (and even headlines) for their websites. For example, on February 7 the two headlines read:

Pujols leads way in fantasy rankings

and

Soriano is Cubs’ top fantasy standout

Now, in today’s headlines, it’s the same kind of thing.

There’s no questioning Oswalt’s role (the linked headline reads: Oswalt unquestioned leader of Astros staff)

and

Carp undisputed leader of Cards corps

Can we be more original, guys??

Problems with Weaver?

Jered Weaver seems to be questionable these days. All tests are negative but Scioscia is “taking things slowly” with the sophomore pitcher. He is not expected to throw off a mound for a while – perhaps about two weeks. But Weaver downplayed any talk about the injury Saturday. He had an MRI exam a few … Continue reading “Problems with Weaver?”

Jered Weaver seems to be questionable these days. All tests are negative but Scioscia is “taking things slowly” with the sophomore pitcher.

He is not expected to throw off a mound for a while – perhaps about two weeks.
But Weaver downplayed any talk about the injury Saturday. He had an MRI exam a few weeks ago. “Everything came out negative,” Weaver said. “It’s just a matter of working it out.”

Hmm.. rumor is Weaver was going to go high in our rookie draft. Now? I’m not so sure. I’m sure we’ll give him a closer look. I’m always a little more wary about drafting pitchers high anyway.

(H/T Baseball Musings)

MY CHICAGO WHITE SOX

I know it’s all about winning. And don’t get me wrong I enjoyed the 2005 World Championship season as much as the next Sox fan. But there is something to be said for being a kid and rooting for your team, win or lose, it was a good day.

I went to my first ballgame the Boys Benefit game played between the White Sox & Cubs at Milwaukee’s County Stadium in 1968. In LF for the White Sox was a hustling youngster that earned a special place in my heart because of his smile, hustle, & love for the game. I’m talking about Walt “No-Neck” Williams!

Walt was selected off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals from the Houston Colt 45’s (he’d batted .000 in nine at bats with Houston). Things could only get better for the 5’6″ 195 pound outfielder, and soon they would when he was traded to the White Sox from the Cardinals along with pitcher Don Dennis in exchange for Johnny Romano and Lee White.

In 1969 “No-Neck” won the regular rightfield job with the White Sox, along with the hearts of their fans. The 25 year old Williams batted a team high .304, with 22 doubles, 1 triple, & 3 HRs, in 471 at bats. Walt would run out EVERYTHING, and always run onto & off of the field! I can still see the smile he brought to my father’s face, as he’d exclaim, “NOW THAT’S A BALLPLAYER!”

Jacque is one of the team

Jacque Jones says he never wanted to be traded. I, for one, am happy to hear this kind of talk assuming that it is genuine and not the usual Cubs management spin. I was one of the first Cub fans to get on his bandwagon last season. If the rumors of him not wanting to … Continue reading “Jacque is one of the team”

Jacque Jones says he never wanted to be traded.

I, for one, am happy to hear this kind of talk assuming that it is genuine and not the usual Cubs management spin. I was one of the first Cub fans to get on his bandwagon last season.

If the rumors of him not wanting to be on the team were true, then the writing was on the wall. This kind of talk from Jones bodes well for Jones and the Cubs. If he can put last year behind him (the bad parts), we can expect some good things from him, in my opinion.