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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Listen up Cubs fans. Can't get enough of your favorite team? Follow Sun-Times Cubs reporter Gordon Wittenmyer as he covers the Cubs like never before. Keep checking back throughout the day for Gordon's updates.
So what is Twitter? Twitter is a free social networking service that allows readers like you to receive updates (or "tweets") from Gordon all day long via our Web site. Check back all-day long as Gordon updates you on the latest Cubs news -- from the game and practice to on the road and from the locker room. You can also get updates sent right to your phone or IM whenever Gordon has news to share -- for free.
