Anthony Rizzo posted by Cubs Fan

Born August 8, 1989, Anthony Rizzo is currently the first baseman for Chicago Cubs MLB team. Rizzo started his minor league baseball career in 2007, when he was drafted by the Red Sox as their sixth round choice. He played with Salem Red Sox, Greenville Drive, Portland Sea Dogs, and Gulf Coast League Red Sox. During 2009, Rizzo hit 12 home runs, and in 2010, he made 25 home runs, with .480 slugging percentage.

Anthony Rizzo started his major league career in December 2010, when he was traded to the San Diego Padres. In 2011, he was invited by the Padres for major league spring training, but he was not on the roster. He started the season playing with Tucson Padres, hitting 6 home runs, .452 average, and 24 RBIs in 15 games. However, he was called up to the major league in June 2011, when he hit 16 home runs, .365 percentage, and 63 RBIs in more than 52 games. In July 2011, he was demoted, but was again called back to the majors in September. Rizzo finished his initial season with only .141 in Dallas.

In January 2012, Anthony Rizzo was acquired by the Chicago Cubs along with Zach Cates the pitcher. At the start of the season, Rizzo excelled in the Iowa Cubs minor league batting, scoring 23 home runs, .342 average, and 62 RBIs. He was recalled to the major league in June, to help the team in its offense, which was struggling. In July, he hit seven home runs, which was a record for a rookie in a calendar month. Rizzo also created history, by being the first Chicago Cubs player to have three game-winning RBIs in the first five games. In May 2014, Rizzo made the second walk-off home run of his career, and he was voted to be in the All-Star game as well. 

Futures Sports Betting on the Chicago Cubs posted by Cubs Fan

While the opening day for the 2013 Major League Baseball season is not slated to officially kick off until 1 April of 2013, the sport is still a hot topic for sports betting. To some this may seem rather odd given the fact that baseball is not even being played right now. However, there really is no down time in the wide world of sports betting. Actually, the sort of baseball betting being placed right now at online sports betting sites pertains to futures. Futures are a type of sports bet where bets are placed on predictions about futures events and results. This might seem a bit risky and it is but given the risk some terrific odds can be procured that could lead to a rather appealing payout. In this manner, fans such as those of the Chicago Cubs can keep involved with their team.

The betting areas of online sports betting and casino sites will provide odds listed by teams. Online casinos are a bit more new in the field of sports betting but many of them have added bets to their array of games. Some just offer sports themed games instead, which is almost as good – there are even baseball themed casion games, like the slots game Hot Shot found in many of the best casinos. Sports bets are a logical step forward from themed slots to better provide entertainment for sports enthusiasts. Odds, for example, are an integral part of any casino game, and for someone used to thinking about them a change of platform can be quite easy, even when they are a lot more complicated when you have to understand the individual players as well as the teams and the whole league.

Cubs Sinking on Left Coast posted by Richard Kagan

The Chicago Cubs went to the west coast on a long road trip and it is looking like a lost summer or dead end trip to Cali.  The Cubs lost 3 straight to the Dodgers where they can't win for losing, actually, that sounds quite Cub-like.  And then they went down to sunny San Diego and it feels like they hit a sandstorm and are in the process of dropping another one to the Padres.  Again, a shut-out.  The Cubs can't buy a hit in California.   Get one from your local fruitstand.  It ain't happening for this team on this trip.  This current road woe has set the Cubs further back and now it looks like a lost season.  They traded away half the team. And gave the rest on waivers.  The only hold-over they kept was Alphonso Soriano, whose contract scared away any potential buyers.  Dempster, Garza, and Malhom are history.  If Chicago wanted to break in new players why not do a swap with Iowa and send some guys out there?  Their contracts and egos probalby won't let them go.  Oh well, It is a rebuilding year.  It seems every year is a rebuilding year.  Try bringing back Rick Sutcliffe.  He can still pitch.

Cubs Are Gettin' Better Now posted by Richard Kagan

Here come the Cubs!  Chicago has won 13 of 18 games. including 9 of its last 11 at home to claib back to "decent-land."  This move is surprising and shows the drive of the front office.  What they do filters down to the ballclub.  Lately, things are looking up for the Northsiders.  The starting pitching has gotten much better. Dempster, Garza, and Smarajzna have improved.  The rumors are hot that Dempster is on his way out before the trade deadline to a contending club.  He will bring in good prospects.  Theo Epstein wants to find a starter, either a pitcher or position player in the deal, and chances are improving given Dempster's fine season.  Carlos Marmol has cut down on his propensity to blow saves.  He's difficult to watch if he lacks control because things can get out of hand quickly with him.  But his slider is virtually unhittable.  If the Cubs had one more solid hitter, there would be a defininte improvement.  They need someone who can drive in runs...maybe the rookie from Cuba is just the player.  One thing for sure is, the rebuilding process is proceeding well.

Cubs May Have a Team posted by Richard Kagan

It's mid-season and in the last 13 games, the Chicago Cubs have won 9 of them.  Not a small undertaking for these Cubbies.  This is a rebuilding year, and next year may be the same.  But by adding rookie Anthony Rizzo, the Cubs have added punch, and an ability to get extra base hits.  They no longer have to rely on Brian Lahair or Starlin Castro or Alphonso Soriano.  Soriano is often talked about in terms of his bloated contract and he has two years left and no one wants to pick up the remaining two years.  He has 15 Home Runs, all have come after May 15th, so he is no slouch.  It's Rizzo who is turning faces and getting opposing managers' attention.  This guy can hit.  He's batting .375 and his OB% is almost off the charts.  He looks like a Cubs' version of Ted Williams up there.  Or you can add Billy Williams, and that's just fine.  The team needs players to drive in runs. 

Rich Dempster has pitched terrific in the past month.  He's pitching 25-6 shutout innings.  Inching close to what Ken Holtzman did with the team in 1971.  I say Keep Rich, you don't want to get rid of good pitching.  Unless you get Warren Spahn in return.  I don't see anyone resembling Spahn out there.  If these Cubs fan finish someone near 14 games under .500 or better, that is a darn good save by Dale Sveum and company.  The team plays hard.  They just need more talent.

Rizzo Hot, Cubs Win 8-7 posted by Richard Kagan

Anthony Rizzo hit a 3 run-HR in the 5th inning against Johann Santana and the Cubs went on to prevail 8-7 despite a late NY Mets rally in the 9th.  The Mets appeared poised to make another late comeback but Carlos Marmol snagged a liner back to the mound and threw to first base to double up Ike Davis.  Since Rizzo has been a Cubs starter, the Cubs have looked like a different team, Yes, a winning team.  They are 7-3 in their last ten games.  And are playing much improved baseball.  Suddently, the team has some pop, some confiidence to compete. 

The Cubs won without arguably their best player, Starlin Castro, who had a rare night off.  Dale Sveum, Cubs manager, said he wanted to talk about the game, with him.  This is such a young team.  You would think management would acquire a guy who has had experience to help these younger players along.  But getting a vet to come into the Cubs situation might not be so easy.  The Cubs have picked it up and might not be as bad as we had thought.  Even if they finish the season 14 games under .500 that is signicant improvement over the first 80 games of this season.

Cubs beat Mets 6-1 posted by Richard Kagan

I've been a long time Cubs fan, and that means a long time suffering Cubs fan.  The Cubs are on a pace to lose more than 95 games this season, which is a lot.  But at least they beat the Mets at Wrigley on Monday night.   They bested Johann Santana, former two-time Cy Young winner and owner of the Mets' first no-hitter.  Ok, the ump at third missed a call that was an apparent base hit, but ruled it foul.  I call it an no-hitter with an Asterisk next to it.  Wait, one of these days, a Met pitcher will throw a great game for no hits, and there won't be any doubt about it.  Talk will go back to Santana's game.  But, I have to give him credit, he pitched a gutsy game.

But the Cubbies got to him tonight.  Courtesy of three Met errors that allowed 4 runs to score in the 7th inning.  The Cubs will get to their 30th win, when everyone else has 40...it's been that kind of season.  I'm hoping for a real winning streak, but the Cubs don't have a rotation to make that happen.  It's playing on the fly.  It's awkward and painful to watch.  But Cub fans are used to this.  At least the team is putting together some young talent.  Shawn Castro at Shortstop is an emerging star.  He is an All-star hitter.  Eventually, he will make that team.  But the Cubs have to get good.  I don't know when that's going to happen.

The Cubs Are Not Good posted by Richard Kagan

Yippee, The Chicago Cubs beat the Minnesota Twins 8-2 behind the solid right arm of Ryan Dempster (2-3), who may be on the trading block.  Dempster bolstered his status with an excellent outing, his second win in a row.  I have been a long-time cubs fans.  I was there for Don Cardwell's no-hitter in the second game of a DH.  I fell asleep and missed most of the game, as a child.  I was more alert for Kenny Holtzman's gem vs. the Atlanta Braves in 1969, when the Cubs looked so good.  I was sure they were going to win the pennant.  But....stuff happens, if you're a Cubs fan.

What still surprises me is that 32,000 fans come of the park every home game if the weather is decent.  The Cubs draw well over 2.5 million.  In a good season, it could be 2.8 million.  In this tiny ballpark in Wrigleyville...The fans still come out and root for the Cubbies.  Who are as lovable as ever, even if they are on pace to lose 100 games this season.  And, that is not a laughing matter.  How do you get paid, and get up in the morning and come to the park?

The Cubs were picked by most baseball experts to finish 4th or 5th in the division.  Unfortunately, they make the Pittsburgh Pirates look good.  Manager Dale Sveum looks like he is on an out of control train in that Denzel Washington thriller.  That train threatened to cause disruption all over the landscape.  It's a stretch to say this team could win 4 or 5 games in a row.  They don't have the players to do that.  And, coming from a fan, that is a sad thing to say.

Santana's No-hitter posted by Richard Kagan

As a long-time Cubs fan, I view Johan Santana's no-hitter as a bit of a gift.  Carlos Beltran, an ex-Met, now playing for the St. Louis Cardinals sent a drive down the 3rd base line that touched the chalk.  The 3rd base umpire ruled the ball foul, and Beltran made an out in his at-bat.  But that ball was a fair ball and likely would have been a double, if the umpire saw the play fairly.  So, Santana's no-hitter, I don't buy it.  He pitched a great game, a probable one-hitter and benefited from a great play by the left-fielder Mike Baxter on a ball hit deep.  Baxter made the catch, and hurt his shoulder on the play.  Great pitching performances always need a little luck.  But Beltran's foul ball was fair, and a hit.  Call it an imperfect no-hitter.Continue reading "Santana's No-hitter"

Mike Quade Gone As Skipper of Cubs posted by Richard Kagan

The Cubs managerial merry-go-round takes another spin as Mike Quade was not re-hired by Theo Epstein, the new honcho for Cubs baseball.  Epstein was recently hired in talks so compicated that they a resembled U.S.-Russia nuclear pact to reduce nukes.

So Quade is out.  He had a good showing in 2010 at the end of the year when he led the Cubs to a great finish.  That got him the full-time job in 2011 and he presided over a 71-91 team.  Not exactly great.  But oh so Cub-like.

The Cubs will get a makeover.  They will be young and  hungry, with a few veterans.  Shawn Castro, the shortstop will be the fulcrum of this re-building project.  Castro has star written all over---He had over 200 hits for the season. The youngest Cub player ever to do that.  The Cubs are not going to win it next year.  But they may be more exciting.  With this team, you never know.

The Chicago Cubs have acquired hard-throwing reliever Aroldis Chapman in a trade with the New York Y

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Cubs have acquired hard-throwing reliever Aroldis Chapman in a trade with the New York Yankees. [read full article]

From Yahoo Sports

Cubs get closer Aroldis Chapman in trade with Yankees (The Associated Press)

The Chicago Cubs acquired hard-throwing reliever Aroldis Chapman in a trade with the New York Yankees on Monday, giving the NL Central leaders a boost as they try for their first World Series title in more than a century. The Cubs paid a steep price, parting with top shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres and versatile pitcher Adam Warren in the four-player package going to the Yankees. Chapman also faced a domestic violence allegation in the offseason that cost him a 29-game suspension, and the left-hander is eligible for free agency after this year. [read full article]

From Yahoo Sports

AP source: Yanks discussing deal to send Chapman to Cubs (The Associated Press)

Aroldis Chapman and the rest of the New York Yankees dressed in their Sunday best for a flight to Houston following a 5-2 win over the San Francisco Giants that completed a 6-4 homestand. New York was discussing a trade that would send Chapman to the Chicago Cubs as part of a swap that would bring 19-year-old shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres to the Yankees, a person familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because talks were ongoing and New York owner Hal Steinbrenner had not made any final decision. [read full article]

From Yahoo Sports

Chicago Cubs activate veteran reliever Joe Nathan (The Associated Press)

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Chicago Cubs have activated Joe Nathan from the 60-day disabled list, completing the veteran reliever's journey back to the majors from Tommy John surgery. [read full article]

From Yahoo Sports

Mets-Cubs preview (The Associated Press)

Kyle Schwarber, the Chicago Cubs' 23-year-old slugger, is the subject of trade rumors and conjecture even though he has not stepped up to home plate and swung a bat since April 7. One rumor with traction on social media has the New York Yankees offering relievers Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman, who unleashed a 105 mph fastball on Monday, in exchange for Schwarber, who had 16 homers in 69 regular-season and playoff games in 2015. One former general manager suggested the Cubs swap Schwarber for Texas Rangers ace Cole Hamels, who beat the Cubs in a 4-1 decision on Sunday. [read full article]

From Yahoo Sports