NFL Draft

ESPN's Mel Kiper likes Tyson Jackson, DE from LSU at the 18th Pick for the Chicago Bears. DO you think we need a Defensive end?

I think we need a WR. Brandon Lloyd (go Illini) Marty Booker, Rashied Davis and Devin Hester just can't cut it. They are all, at best #2's, but more likely #3s on a good team. Whaddya think?
http://chicago-sportschat.blogspot.com

Wrigley in January

Followup from New Years.
Much better perspective than I would have paid for in the stands.
and it was for charity so that was cool too.
Great news. I didn't fall!

Blackhawks v Red Wings

Great presentation, not so great outcome. The Chicago Blackhawks have shown some drastic improvement this year. The team is playing well. The Red Wings just got the right bounces of the puck today. The weather wasn't a factor in the game like it was in the Buffalo - Pittsburgh game was last year. There was some wind, but it didn't seem to come into play. The snow held off, as did the sunshine, which some of the players were complaining about last year. It was nice to see the Cubs play host, bringing our Ryno, Billy Williams, Fergie Jenkins and crew to meet Hull, Mikita, Esposito for this event. Chicago celebs like Vince Vaughn were there too.
It was an interesting rendition of 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' too.
I liked how they put up a banner around the ice rink that looked like the Wrigley Bricks. Pretty Cool. The throwback jerseys were nice, sure to be a top seller, at least in Chicago...Detroit's were pretty weak with the fancy English D.
The ice seemed to get beaten up faster than in the indoor rinks though, with snow/shavings piling up by the end of the periods. The camera views were a little off too, slightly too far away for my taste. Otherwise this was a great game.

Peavy deal, dead

Just turned out to be too expensive for the Cubs.
While that caliber of pitcher would have made the Cubs rotation that much deeper, the Padres wanted to much youth in return. Talks of Pie, Marquis, Derosa abound, plus who knows how many minor leaguers too.
Also, with the Trib in BK, as well as about to be sold, Hendry couldn't pull the string on that huge contract.
Who will we get now? Randy Johnson? that's a rental at best, as he's ancient, and will draw a decent salary based on his prior stats. If they do, that would help the Cubs, since he has been dominant against them.

The Sale of the Cubs is mixed up in the Blagojevich mess

We have all heard that the governor has been arrested for various corruption charges.
Now it comes to show that the Feds claim that he has been auctioning off Obama's Senate seat while at the same time he tried to use the Cubs sale as leverage in getting positive press in the op-ed pages of the Chicago Tribune. The federal complaint alleges Blagojevich was seeking to use the Illinois Finance Authority, an Illinois state agency that provides financing for real estate deals, and grants of other state funds to persuade the Current owner of the Cubs, the Tribune Company,who actually just filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, to end its editorial campaign for Blagojevich's impeachment. There are tapes of Rod & Co. trying to run the editor out of town in exchange for the funding. Bribes. Bribes. Bribes. Corruption, Corruption, Corruption. Welcome to Chicago.

Tribune files for Bankruptcy

Here is a switch, I'll be mentioning bankruptcy in my sports blog.


Tribune Co.has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Delaware.

They have said in a news release, that the Chicago Cubs, including Wrigley Field, were not included in the bankruptcy filing. Efforts to sell the Chicago Cubs will continue, the company said.

Sorry Ronny

Ron Santo did not get elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame today. The Veterans committee voted. Santo only received 39 of the 48 votes needed for election.
The committee votes every two years. The other big names, Joe Torre, Gil Hodges, Dick Allen, Jim Kaat, Tony Oliva, Al Oliver, Vada Pinson, Luis Tiant and Maury Wills also fell short.

Bears v Vikings

Can the Bears get over the hurdle?
They are sitting tied for 1st place in the NFC North with the Vikings.
But, we get to travel this weekend to Minn to play them up in the Dome.
Chicago's ground game opened up last week with Matt Forte, but can our D stop their running back threat with Adrian Peterson? This week will come down to Defense....lets hope the Bears keep up their sacks like they did 5 times vs STL.

offseason Cubs banter

ok. First off, I want to wish a warm thanks and farewell to the Chicago cub with the longest tenure, Kerry Wood. He had a brilliant start, hampered by injuries. He esurected the career after Tommy John surgery to become a pretty good closer! Now, the cubs have basically said no more, knowing he wants a long deal which they cannot afford. Goodbye Kid K, seems like just yesterday that you mowed down 20 Astros in May 1998.

Signings: Dempster- good move, but expensive.
Kevin Gregg - good talent on the cheap, to replace Kerry Wood. Will take some time to win over fans.

Prospects: Jake Peavy? Would be awesome to strengthen the pitching staff.
Imagine - Big Z, Peavy, Dempster, Ted Lilly, Rich Harden....that would be impressive. Improves the bullpen too by pushing Marquis to the pen.
Randy Johnson? would be a fix, 1-2 years tops. He's been amazing vs Cubs, but he's in his mid 40's....but he can still bring the heat. Not sure what the price will be...

Also talks are in trading Lee- expensive contract though. Hoffpauir looks like the real deal though in the minors lining up behind him.

Other talk is Furcal, always Brian Roberts, Renteria....

Hot Stove, heating up!

Congrats Philly

Good Job Phillies
You played a hell of a game.
Really wish it was my Cubbies out there though.
Did you see Ryan Howard tackle Brad Lidge? Lidge had fear in his eyes with that $5 footlong Howard coming right for him