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Cubs

Cubs

Friday, May 16, 2008

Dempster dominates

They don't have a contraption at Wrigley Field that measures the loudest ovations, but Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster has a pretty good feel for these things.


Photos: Cubs 4, Padres 0
Edmonds hears it all from Wrigley faithful

Jim Edmonds now can explain why playing center field at Wrigley Field is so easy if you're wearing a Cubs uniform.

'Z' embraces old enemy

Carlos Zambrano didn't pretend to hide his cheese-eating grin when Jim Edmonds finally arrived in the Cubs' clubhouse Thursday morning, with Big Z quickly grabbing the team's new outfielder for a handshake and quick hug.

Cubs recap
At the plate

When villains come to town

Cubs fans never have had much use for Jim Edmonds, who earned their wrath on many occasions as a member of the hated St. Louis Cardinals. But judging from the applause that greeted his Cubs debut, they will give him every chance to worm his way into their hearts. No surprise there -- Chicago sports fans are a forgiving bunch. Usually. Following is a list of once-despised rival players who were forgiven, and a couple who were not.

The Jim Edmonds effect

Some of the most potentially valuable aspects of the Jim Edmonds signing have little to do with the direct impact he might have on games as a hitter or center fielder.

Ok fans, let's see you cheer! Chicago sports fans, we want your pictures. Whether they're from the Cell, Wrigley, Toyota Park or any other arena, send us your shots and we'll post a selection on our Web site. E-mail your photos to us!

Thursday, May 15, 2008
Dempster strikes out 12; Edmonds goes 1-for-4 Ryan Dempster struck out a career-high 12 today as the Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 4-0. Jim Edmonds had a single in the first at-bat of his Cubs debut but finished 1-for-4.

Edmonds says he has a lot left; feud with Big Z is over Jim Edmonds insisted he’s healthy and can perform at a high level. The Cubs are giving him a chance to prove it, and his first opportunity came against his former team, the San Diego Padres.

Lilly strong-arms Padres

So maybe the Cubs won't exactly be salivating over watching 350-game winner Greg Maddux pitch against them today, wondering if they might be able to lure him away from the San Diego Padres for one more Chicago story in his epic career.

Ward's bad back will require 2 weeks on DL

Regardless of what he has left, Jim Edmonds became available just in time for the Cubs, whose need for left-handed hitting reached dire levels this week with the news that the top lefty hitter on the bench, Daryle Ward, will need a two-week stretch on the disabled list because of a back injury.

Edmonds called 'good gamble'

Has Jim Edmonds lost a step or two in the field? Can he still catch up to a good fastball or deliver gap power two or three times a week?

Can you name this Cub? This left-handed reliever could have been the missing piece to save the '69 Cubs from their epic collapse. But a decidedly different path awaited Darcy Rae Fast. ''If I could've pitched 30 innings and saved a few guys a few innings, it could've changed everything.''

Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Lilly pitches Cubs over Padres 8-5 Ted Lilly struck out 11 in six innings to win his third straight start, and Alfonso Soriano and Geovany Soto homered to lead the Chicago Cubs over the San Diego Padres 8-5 Wednesday night.

Jim Edmonds is a low-risk proposition for Cubs Chris De Luca: Worst-case scenario, the Cubs spend $289,000 this season on veteran center fielder Jim Edmonds. Which, come to think of it, also describes the best-case scenario.

Pie nowhere near prospect heights Greg Couch: Jim Edmonds is 37 years old, can't run anymore, can't hit. Those diving, back-to-the-infield catches? Not anymore. But the Cubs are going to sign him today because they're so desperate for a left-handed-hitting center fielder. How do you think that makes their current left-handed-hitting center fielder feel?

Troubles on the mound

Forget Jim Edmonds. If the Cubs want to go after a San Diego player who can make a difference in a World Series push, maybe they should be looking at Greg Maddux.

Ramirez still swinging freely

Check out who's suddenly one of the most patient hitters in the Cubs' lineup -- an on-base machine tied with Kosuke Fukudome for the team lead in walks and on pace to double his career high.

Cubs recap
At the plate

Zell rejects state-Wrigley deal; Thompson still trying Former Gov. Jim Thompson said Tuesday he's still negotiating with the Cubs and still hopeful the state can find a way to buy and renovate Wrigley Field with "no taxes of any kind" that is acceptable to Tribune Co. CEO Sam Zell.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 Big Z, Soriano lead way as Cubs roll to 15-6 at home Cubs expected to sign Edmonds Happy homecoming for ex-Cub Barrett Zell no to bid for Wrigley Monday, May 12, 2008 Cubs poised to sign Edmonds; Pie on way down? Appraising the Cubs' sweep of D-Backs Cubs beat Padres 12-3 Complaint-free zone: Cubs sweep, all's well again Gallagher's spot start earns him Cubs' rotation spot Football star Romo booed at Cubs game Are Cubs fans like entrepreneurs? Cubs recap On deck Sunday, May 11, 2008 Ward's clutch double helps Cubs rally past Arizona Soriano finds higher gear Cubs and D-backs change Sunday pitching Role-playing Dempster on his game Aces past, present meet today Cubs recap A Tribute to the Men and Magic of Wrigley Field Saturday, May 10, 2008 Aggressive Cubs win 7-2 When Cubs need hero, Ted no Lilliputian Lilly’s happy return Iowa starts Marshall plan Cubs recap Friday, May 9, 2008 Calmer Lilly pitches Cubs to 3-1 win over Arizona Slumping Cubs hope to get trip off their shoulders Here's the deal on Cubs' non-deal for Brian Roberts On deck Three takes Thursday, May 8, 2008 All-around slump for Cubs Offense's bad road trip a group droop Hendry: 13 an unlikely number Cubs recap Wednesday, May 7, 2008 Reds crush Lieber as Cubs fall 9-0 Zambrano's the cure for Cubs Miscues land DeRosa on Cubs' bench Cubs recap Tuesday, May 6, 2008 Cubs spring another leak Zambrano leads Cubs to 3-0 win over Reds If Eyre is in, Pie could go to Iowa 10 years later, Wood's historic game still glows Cubs recap Monday, May 5, 2008 Cubs come up short in Cincinnati Cubs' woes continue Breakthrough good news for Lee's kid Cubs recap Sunday, May 4, 2008 Cubs drop game, series Ramirez out second straight game with sore wrist Cubs' repair job under way Hill vows to return soon; Lieber will start vs. Reds Reed secures place in Cubdom Ramirez's status uncertain Cubs, rooftop owner settle profit-sharing spat Saturday, May 3, 2008 Cubs bust out bats in win 'Kerry's our closer ... end of the story' Cubs start bad, finish worse Cooler Lou breaks down his blowup Cubs recall Gallagher, option Hill to Triple-A Cubs reach deal with rooftop owner Cubs recap Friday, May 2, 2008 Piniella a question away from full eruption After loss, Lou loses it Soriano glad to be back, but return is inauspicious Brewers' Gallardo headed to disabled list Will minors play in Chicago? Let Soriano be Soriano Cubs know Thompson's Wrigley secret On deck Cubs recap Thursday, May 1, 2008 Wood yields three in ninth, Cubs fall 4-3 to Brewers Cubs are winning early and often Gallagher, Cotts are relief options Sandberg's Chiefs to host Cougars at Wrigley Cameron comes back unscarred Cubs recap Mum Cuban sits with Trib execs at Wrigley Wednesday, April 30, 2008 Soriano: 1-hole or hole in 1? Life at the top gets uneasy Soriano: I can steal 30 bases in '08 Jinx? SI doesn't faze Fukudome No taxes in deal to buy, rehab Wrigley? Cubs recap Tuesday, April 29, 2008 Sports Illustrated cover jinx to test Cubs, Fukudome Quiet Derrek Lee powering Cubs' resurgent lineup Brewers will provide a good test Umpire Crawford leaves Cubs-Brewers game Monday, April 28, 2008 Cubs' Nationals nightmare over The list: MLB's best parks Alfonso Soriano guarantees Thursday return from DL Soto's eight straight K's could be one for the books Cubs recap Sunday, April 27, 2008 Zambrano blanks Nationals Lannan leads Nationals over Cubs 2-0 Go-Go Cubs keeping foes on their toes Cubs recap Saturday, April 26, 2008 Zambrano pitches Cubs past Nationals, 7-0 Missed opportunities Overworked relievers get a little R&R Bullpen gets a break, but rough spots remain Cubs recap

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    Do you believe in jinxes?

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