We’re probably all still shocked that Bryan LaHair made the All Star Team this year, but tonight is our chance to watch him in action against the league’s best. We’ll also get the chance to see if Starlin Castro can do anything amazing like he did last year, when he tied the ASG record with two stolen bases. Maybe he’ll hit four home runs or something.

If neither Starlin nor LaHair do anything special tonight, at least we’ll have the pleasure of seeing Tony LaRussa manage a game again. It’s possible that he’ll be drunk from the start and might fall asleep in the dugout. That will be worthy of watching, right? » Continue reading “All Star Game Thread: Maybe Castro Or LaHair Will Do Something”

When we speculate about the new GM, we’re pretty wild. But I’ve just read the wildest speculation yet.

According to a major-league source, the scenario raised during informal discussions would start with the Cubs going after Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty, who would, in turn, hire his old manager, Tony La Russa, from St. Louis. La Russa’s relationship with Pujols would then lead to the Cubs landing one of the top free-agent hitters on the market.

I know a few of you may have just thrown up a bit. Jocketty, who is currently being paid by the Reds, can’t express any interest in the job, but did talk in general terms about it.

‘‘I’m sure everyone feels that it’s an attractive position because it’s a storied franchise and one of the great brands in the game,’’ said Jocketty, whose teams have finished ahead of the Cubs in 11 of his 17 seasons as a rival GM. ‘‘There’s a lot of history, and it’s a great challenge, because they haven’t won a championship there in a long time. And I think everyone believes that they’re the ones that would hope to be able to break that streak.

‘‘Plus you should have great resources to work with there. At least you’ve got the new ownership
that seems to be aggressive in wanting to win.’’

Jocketty also said the recent four-year contract extension for farm director Oneri Flieta ‘‘shouldn’t be’’ a hindrance to the hiring process, as some have speculated.

» Continue reading “Cubs Wednesday Headlines: Jocketty to Bring Present to North Side?”

Wells to the DL. Cashner to the DL. Cubs lose.

There’s really nothing on the North Side I feel like discussing today, so let’s head South. . . way South, and see how how the neighbors are doing.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa barked at media members for their line of questioning about the Cardinals’ early struggles with offense. The Cardinals lost a 3-1 contest to the Pittsburgh Pirates dropping their overall record to 2-4.

Check around the 3:35 mark to watch La Russa’s rant.

“For everybody listening out there, you think I’m being unreasonable? It’s the first week of the season. I mean you guys are…I don’t understand this. Are you going to tell me Yadier doesn’t drive in big runs? Are you going to tell me Albert can’t hit? Are you going to tell me the second baseman and shortstops haven’t hit? David Freese? You don’t think he’s going to hit? You think Matt’s gonna to hit? You think Colby’s going to hit? You think Berkman’s going to hit? The answer is ‘no’ to all those things?’

“Did you accomplish your goal? Three, four times, you ask so I get excited and get upset? That’s not fair. It really isn’t.”

La Russa’s “it’s not fair” argument sounds juvenile. But in slight, and I mean very slight, defense of his tantrum, it is too early in the season to identify whether or not a team is “struggling.”

This cannot possibly be true. I refuse to believe that The Delicate Genius would stoop to such levels. Let’s go to the video tape!

» Continue reading “Things Are Getting Ugly In Wrigleyville; Let’s Make Fun Of The Cards”

Let’s accentuate the positive

I won’t go into the sordid details of either game, if you want that, hit up Cubs.com’s recap, you know, they even have video, too!

» Continue reading “Chicago Cubs”