Monday November 3, 2008
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Monday November 3, 2008
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Chicago Cubs’ off-season preview T
by
Connor Tapp
his year’s version of the annual implosion of the Cubs’ World Series dream was particularly painful for fans of the woebegone franchise, and that’s not just because of the excessive amount of Frank TV promos and Viagra advertisements they had to endure en route to watching their team being summarily dismissed from the first round of the playoffs by a team that spent most of the season hovering around .500. The Cubs’ consistently high level of performance throughout the season, the historical significance of the 2008 season, and GM Jim Hendry’s strategic (and correct) decision to forfeit the future in order to win this year all came together to add a sense of urgency to the Cubs’ mission in 2008. One could expend a great deal of time and energy analyzing what happened in a three-game series that consisted of less than 2% of the Cubs’ games played this year, but such an exercise would seem quite ridiculous given that the Cubs showed that they were, by a wide margin, the best team in the National League for the other 98% of the season. Random performance variance is as good an explanation as anything else for the Cubs’ inability to so much as win a game against the Dodgers. Even so, many of the question marks and team weaknesses that dogged the Cubs going into and during the NLDS, in which they were outscored by the Dodgers 20-6, remain with the club going into the 2009 season. The first area of concern is that the Cubs have an old line-up. Typically, hitters have an overall skills peak at age 27 and a power peak at 31 followed by overall skills decline, while pitchers tend to peak around age 31. Half of the Cubs’ regular position players in 2008 will be older than thirty-one on Opening Day 2009: Derrek Lee (33), Mark DeRosa (34), Jim Edmonds (38), and Alfonso Soriano (33). Among pitchers, Ted Lilly will be 33 and Ryan Dempster turns 32 on May 3rd.
CSR File Photo
by
Warren Wimmer
Chicago Cubs starter Ryan Dempster delivers a pitch in this file photo. Dempster is one of several key veterans whose contracts exprired at the end of the 2008 season
The Cubs’ age problem directly influences two other areas of concern: (1) Several of their veteran players are free agents at the end of the year and would likely require sizeable investments in the decline phase of their careers if the Cubs hope to re-sign them. Key contributors whose current contracts expired after the seasonending 3-1 loss to the Dodgers include Kerry Wood, Jim Edmonds, and Ryan Dempster. All of these players already have their peak years behind them, have a history of being injury-prone, and are likely candidates going forward to suffer a decline in health and / or performance. (2) The Cubs have little help on the way from the farm system to supplement its cast of aging veterans. The 2009 version of the Cubs, whose 2008 predecessors were nothing if not deep, suddenly have a lot of holes on their roster. This confluence of deficiencies within the organization will present the Cubs’ front office with
a difficult task this off-season. A good strategy will mix bringing back the right veterans at the right price and bringing in free agents to fill gaps in the outfield and to add depth to the pitching staff. In the coming weeks, I’ll look into the Cubs’ needs heading into the off-
season and discuss what measures they might take to address them. Connor recently completed a bachelor’s degree in economics at the University of South Carolina and lives in Lincoln Park with his dog and girlfriend.
Penn State’s Evan Royster scores on a two yard run second quarter of play against Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisc. Penn State won the game 49-7.
P e n n S tat e W isconsin wallops
CSR Photos
by
Warren Wimmer
PUBLISHED BY: The Chicago Sports Review The Chicago Sports Review is published monthly. The Chicago Sports Review is not responsible for display advertisements,and their contents. Reproduction in whole or in part without publisher’s written permission is prohibited. For questions or comments contact:: THE CHICAGO SPORTS REVIEW 13520 St. Mary Circle, Orland Park, IL 60462 708.403.3285 office | 708.774.4464 cell | 708.460.8949 fax To read more great sports articles visit chicagosportsreview.net Publisher, lead photographer & Editor in Chief Warren Wimmer
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Penn State runningback Stephfon Green escapes the grasp of Wisconsin linebacker DeAndre Levy.
Wisconsin quarterback Allan Evridge looks for a receiver during second quarter of play against Penn State
Chicago Sports Review
Monday November 3, 2008
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Monday November 3, 2008
Chicago’s teams: We Hardly Knew Ye A
By Phil Meyers
mere five days passed for both Chicago entries to crash out of baseball’s October playoff tournament, setting the Cubs and White Sox on the sidelines watching with the rest of us in who will eventually capture 2008’s World Series crown. If there is any consolation for our town’s American League squad, it was that the Southsiders were able to grab at least one win in its clash with Tampa Bay—sadly one more win then the heavily favored Cubs garnered versus its opponent, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Rather than bragging rights by the Sox over a measly win in the post-season, the story here instead is how events went so incredibly wrong for two teams that had a viable (White Sox) or feverous (Cubs) opportunity to cause a great deal of damage this year—perhaps even gaining entry into the Fall Classic. Seemingly the Cubs had an ideal situation: home field throughout the National League playoffs, the luxury of setting its rotation as desired, overall team health, and supposed rabid fans who were to overwhelmingly act as an intangible “tenth man.” But then the National League Divisional Series began. In both Games One and Two the starting pitching didn’t hold up its end of the deal, with Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano allowing Los Angeles to light up the scoreboard, most dramatically seeing the former ceding a two-out grand slam to Dodgers’ first baseman James Loney. True, the defense dramatically let down Zambrano in Chicago’s encore home game during last Thursday’s
second encounter, but the big ble, a hit that sealed the deal—and Venezuelan wasn’t able to be an fate—of a 100 years World Series “ace”—pitching around adversity championship drought. like a true perennial Cy Young The team didn’t hit to help its candidate should or would. cause in Game Three, though neiNevertheless, the Loney slam ther had it in One or Two, stymied displayed a glaring weakness that by a Dodgers rotation who saw was predicted in this publication’s Derrek Lowe, Chad Billingsley, Chicago playoff preview—one and Hiroki Kuroda dominate from that exposed the Cubbies lack of start to finish. Only Derrek Lee middle inning relief prowess. See, consistently produced at the plate, it wasn’t that Dempster with Alfonso Soriano, gave up what was most and others swinging certainly the Series’ key what eventually seemed Rather hit, but rather that Lou to be invisible bats. than bragPinella couldn’t go to In the end, Chia bullpen in which he cago was out-and-out ging rights had no confidence. humiliated by a team by the Sox in the Dodgers that Dempster labored in his effort. He in fact ... the story certainly deserved its was on fumes. Despite series win. There canhere inthat occurrence, it was not be any whining this stead is how time—Bartman, Mark Ryan who was forced to pitch to the young surrendering events went Prior Dodger lefty because so many runs, Dusty so incredibly Baker not making a Pinella felt he had nowhere to turn. pitching change, or an wrong ... Further, Game Two Alex Gonzales error. was over before it startThis time only the ed, leaving not much Cubs were to blame— else to say other than that the fans and that includes its library-like sent the Cubs to Los Angeles with observing silent fans. a serenade of boos. On the other hand, the White Ironically, those same boos Sox at least displayed a pulse durshould have also been directed ing their four-game defeat to the inward towards the stadium’s rootTampa Bay Rays, holding a lead ers, as Chicago’s National League during some point in each contest faithful were silent for almost other than in the decisive Game the entire two home games—an Four. Ultimately, they too fell short, atmosphere present that might be and being “competitive” became understandable on an April Tuesday afternoon against the Pirates, but definitely not under October’s largest of stages. The glitz of LA didn’t prove any better for Chicago, as a lack of offense—and trailing early once again—also courtesy of James Loney’s go-ahead first inning dou-
little more than consolation for an upcoming, what-could-have-been off-season. Easily the Chicago had an edge of experience over first-time playoff qualifiers Tampa Bay. Also, they did manage a decent amount of damage against both the Rays’ Game One and Two starters in James Shields and Scott Kazmir respectfully. Regardless, it was the Pale Hose’ staff that couldn’t maintain those leads, and in the case of opening game starter Javier Vazquez, never showing up when he could have put Chicago in control from the outset. Vazquez wasted DeWayne Wise’s three-run homer that put the Southsiders up early 3-1 in that first skirmish. Had he kept any kind of control over the young Rays’ squad, maybe it would have given Florida’s American League entry reason to fold. However, it was youth and inexperience which prevailed over a veteran righty that apparently didn’t have the desire or care to answer the bell when the chips were down—Even Longoria belting not one, but two home runs off the Venezuelan, and sending Chicago into a hole from which it would not overcome. Game Two saw Mark Buehrle pitch adequately, better than his moundsman opponent Kazmir—in fact—but it wasn’t good enough to put the White Sox into the win
MEYERS: Cubs and Sox pounded in playoffs Continued From page 4
column at game’s end. Again, the recipe of an early lead giving way to a gassed starter and average bullpen resulted—a bullpen without a doubt outclassed by its counterpart Central Florida enemies. A loud supporting “Black Out” crowd roared its Chicagoans onto a Game Three lead and eventual win, surprisingly spurred by a largely non-contributing Ken Griffey Jr., fringe player Wise, and the fantastic slants of southpaw starter John Denks. By Sunday’s end, it was a formula seen so many times by the U.S. Cellular-dominant White Sox. Chicago came up short versus Rays’ hurler Andy Sonnanstine in
the clincher, a Game Four which sent Tampa Bay on to face its dreaded rivals, Boston, for the right to go to the World Series. Yes, the White Sox deserved the playoff spot they achieved throughout this American League Central campaign, holding first place through a great majority of the season. However, this team has its holes, firstly relying way too much upon the home run ball to generate offense. Chicago is stagnant on the basepaths with too many of the squad’s players resembling baseclogging designated hitter types. Perfectly suited for a 16-inch beer league softball team, the White Sox need a greater influence of speed and versatility if it hopes to
cause a greater threat than merely limping into the playoffs. Absolutely Chicago will remain competitive, for the Pale Hose sport quality professional veterans such as Jim Thome, Jermaine Dye, and Paul Konerko—for example—to evade a truly poor season. Though, the team desperately lacks an answer every day in center field, third base (with the injuries and imminent departure of Joe Crede), second base, and two starting rotation spots—the final example being evidenced via a truly deficient and uninterested Vazquez along with an ancient Jose Contreras. Thus, Alexei Ramirez and Carlos Quentin must become the eventual faces of this aging organi-
Please See MEYERS on page 5
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Chicago Sports Review
zation, along with A.J. Pierzynski, and starters Denks and Gavin Floyd. Other than those Silverand-Black pinstripers, only Bobby Jenks, Scott Linebrink, Matt Thornton and long-time portsider Mark Buehrle should have a stable place in the organization. In all, the White Sox displayed why they were of quality to make the post-season gala, though they in like relayed why they were also shy of taking those final—but most important—last steps towards Major League Baseball glory. Shamefully, a trip that took 102 years to unite Chicago in a playoff party only resulted in a stay of five measly days. Sweet home Chicago.
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Monday November 3, 2008
Hawks Ice
Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell, right, skates with the puck against Predators center Vernon Fiddler.
on
A young Blackhawk fan spots one of his one ice heros outside of the United Center in Chicago Sunday Oct. 13, 2008.
October 13, 2008 Blackhawks 2 Predators 3
CSR Photos
by
Warren Wimmer
Nashville Predators goalkeeper Dan Ellis blocks a shot by Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews, left. The Blackhawks lost 3-2 in a shootout at the United Center in Chicago.
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell, left, and Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews during game action.
Chicago Sports Review
Nashville Predators center Vernon Fiddler, left, eludes Blackhawk skaters during 1st period action.
Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith, left, and Predators right wing Patric Hornqvist battle for puck possession.
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Monday November 3, 2008
Monday November 3, 2008
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Carlyle Lake to host inaugural IHSA bass fishing state finals The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced that the first state high school association sanctioned bass fishing championship in the country will take place on Carlyle Lake in Carlyle, Illinois. The announcement came on October 14, as the IHSA Board of Directors approved a recommendation for the City of Carlyle to host the inaugural IHSA Bass Fishing State Finals on May 8-9, 2009. “We were extremely excited when we heard that we had received the bid to host the IHSA Bass Fishing State Finals,” said Carlyle City Administrator Bill Gruen. “A lot of people made a commitment to this event and put a lot of time into our bid, so there is excitement in every corner of our community today.” IHSA Bass Fishing Administrator Dave Gannaway explained the recommendation, “We had three other strong bids in the running for this event, but Carlyle managed to separate itself from the field. Their entire community is involved in this event and there will be a number of activities throughout the weekend
that will make this a first-class state final.” Carlyle, a city of over 3,000 people located 50 minutes east of St. Louis, has over 11,000 acres of land surrounding its lake. Carlyle Lake, the largest man-made lake in Illinois, spans more than 26,000 acres of water and is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The lake averages 3,260 pounds of fish per water-acre, making it one of the most productive fishing areas in the state. “We hope to make Carlyle the bass fishing capital of Illinois,” added Gruen. The IHSA became the first high school state association in the country to sponsor a bass fishing tournament when the IHSA Board of Directors voted to approve the Terms and Conditions for the Bass Fishing State Series on June 9, 2008. The IHSA recently announced that Plano Molding Company, a fishing supply company located in Plano, Illinois, will join Country Insurance as a title sponsor of the activity.
Northwestern quarterback C.J. Bacher runs into the end-zone to score a touchdown against Michigan State University defender Eric Gordon during play at Ryan Field in Evanston, Ill.
Football Saturday at Northwestern
MIS Curtis on NASCAR Truck Series NASCAR announced that Camping World will be the title sponsor for the NASCAR Truck Series beginning in 2009. Camping World replaces longtime series sponsor Craftsman. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will run at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich., on Saturday, June 13. Here’s what MIS President Roger Curtis had to say about the deal: “Michigan International Speedway is honored to host the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series next season on June 13. The seven-year agreement gives Camping World the exclusive rights to sponsor the series, which has built its reputation on very competitive and tough racing. Camping World will enjoy the support of the most brand-loyal fans in all of sports, including millions who annually attend races of the series, which features 25 points events at
23 tracks across North America. All NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races will be broadcast live on SPEED or FOX. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will launch its inaugural season Feb. 13 at Daytona International Speedway. Along with a 19 percent increase in television ratings this year, the series is host to another heated battle for the championship as the points lead has changed nine times. Johnny Benson and Ron Hornaday have traded the lead several times this year; Benson currently leads Hornaday by only 65 points with four races to go. MIS has restructured some of its pricing for 2009 so fans who feel the economic pinch can keep MIS in their 2009 vacation planning. New in 2009 are general admission seats for NASCAR Sprint Cup races that start at just $40 in two grandstands. Children 12 and under may come to the races for free with their families in those seats.
CSR Photo
by
Warren Wimmer
Chicago White Sox batter Carlos Quentin bats in this file photo August 5, 2008. Quintin was named to the Sporting News all-start team.
Michigan State 37
Northwestern 20
Northwestern fans get fired up during game against Michigan Stat University at Ryan Field in Evanston, Ill.inois. Michigan State won 37-20.
Northwestern runningback Tyrell Sutton rushes the ball during play agagainst Michigan State University.
Quentin named to the Sporting News’ American League all-star team CHICAGO – Outfielder Carlos Quentin of the Chicago White Sox has been named to The Sporting News’ American League AllStar Team. Quentin, 26, hit .288 (138-488) with 26 doubles, 36 home runs and 100 RBI in 130 games with the White Sox in 2008. His 36 home runs marked the third-highest total by a player in his first season with the Sox, behind Jim Thome (42 in 2006) and Dick Allen (37 in 1972). Quentin ranked second in the AL this season in home runs and slugging percentage (.571) and tied for 11th in RBI despite missing the
Chicago Sports Review
final 26 games with a fractured right wrist. He still was tied for the AL lead in home runs as late as September 27 before Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera hit his 37th homer. Quentin, who was named to his first AL All-Star Team, was obtained from the Arizona Diamondbacks on December 3, 2007 in exchange for infielder Chris Carter. The honor was the first presented to a White Sox player since third baseman Joe Crede and outfielder Jermaine Dye were named to the publication’s All-Star Team in 2006.
CSR photos by Mike DiNovo Chicago Sports Review
Monday November 3, 2008
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Monday November 3, 2008
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Cubs Convention passes go on sale Nov. 6
CSR File Photo
by
Warren Wimmer
Cubs skipper Lou Pinella smiles during batting practice in this Oct. 1, 2008 file photo.
Cubs exercise option for Pinella Tony LaRussa, Bobby Cox and Joe Torre. The Cubs have gone 182-141 under Piniella’s guidance, the 182 wins are the most in back-to-back seasons by the Cubs since 1935-36, when the club combined to win 187 contests. Piniella was hired to manage the Cubs on October 17, 2006. Piniella has gone to the postseason 7 times as a manager during his big league career. He is a two-time Baseball Writers Association of America American League Manager of the Year selection and a two-time The Sporting News Manager of the Year. S A L E S •
JOHN RACANELLI 555 E. South Frontage Rd. Bolingbrook, IL 60440 Tel: (630) 739-4330
Email: johnrac@ fleetequipment.com
L E A S I N G
Cell: (312) 301-3447
•
Fax: (630) 739-6781
S E R V I C E
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs announced the club has exercised the 2010 club contract option for Manager Lou Piniella. “Lou Piniella has done an outstanding job with the Cubs and we couldn’t be more pleased to exercise his option for the 2010 season,” said Cubs Vice-President/General Manager Jim Hendry. “Lou exudes success, is an excellent leader and brings a humble, confident swagger to our entire organization.” In his two seasons with the Cubs, Piniella has guided the club to consecutive National League Central Division titles and is the first Cubs manager to lead the club to consecutive post-season berths since Frank Chance in 1906-1908. He has helped lead the Cubs to a 31-win turnaround the last two seasons, as the club’s 85 wins in 2007 was a 19-game improvement from 2006 and the team’s 97 wins in 2008 was a 12-game rise from 2007. The 97 wins this season marked the second-most by any club Piniella has managed, trailing only the 2001 Seattle Mariners club that won 116 games. Piniella joined Dick Williams as the only managers to win 90 games with four different clubs. Piniella is 1,701-1,561 in 21 seasons as a major league manager with the Yankees, Reds, Mariners, Devil Rays and Cubs . His 1,701 managerial victories rank 14th in major league history and are fourth among active managers behind
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs announced weekend passes for the 24th annual Cubs Convention will go on sale Thursday, November 6, at 10 a.m. CST. Passes will be available for purchase through two methods – by visiting www.cubs. com or by calling at 1-800-THECUBS. The 24th annual Cubs Convention will be held at the Hilton Chicago, 720 South Michigan Avenue, from Friday, January 16 through Sunday, January 18, 2009. Each fan can purchase up to four weekend passes while they last. The convention pass, valid for entry during the entire convention weekend, costs $60 plus convenience fees. The hours of the convention are as follows: Friday 3 to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to midnight and Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included with each pass is access to all autograph/photo sessions, question and answer ses-
Chicago Sports Review
sions as well as the memorabilia and vendor booths. Rooms at the Hilton are currently sold out for Convention weekend, but fans can check back for cancellations or availability by calling 312-922-4400. As a reminder, fans with room reservations under the Cubs Convention rate can purchase weekend passes for $15 each (limit four per room). Proceeds from the Convention benefit Cubs Care, a fund of the McCormick Foundation. The 2008 Cubs Convention raised more than $300,000. To date, the Cubs Convention has raised nearly $4 million for Cubs Care. Grants help support non-profit organizations which aid children with special needs, support youth sports programs, help victims of domestic violence, and assist social service efforts in the Lakeview community.
Chicago Fire forward Brian McBride, left, and Red Bulls’ Kevin Goldthwaite go up for a header during play.
Red Bulls’ Jorge Rojas, left, dribbles the ball against and Fire midfielder Logan Pause.
ABOVE: Chicago Fire’s Daniel Woolard, left, battles with Red Bulls’ Chris Leitch during game play at Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Ill. BELOW: Brian McBride, far right, is congratulated after scoring his third goal of the soccer game.
Pictures Pitch from the
October 23, 2008 Fire 5 Red Bulls 2
CSR Photos
by
Warren Wimmer Chicago Sports Review