Womack in the Saddle Again

Perez Traded for Cabrera

Unfortunately it's the wrong team, Cleveland, the wrong Perez, Eduardo, and the wrong Cabrera, a 20-year-old minor-leaguer.

But the Cubs did post one bulletin on the transaction wire. I'm sad to report that after having been sent down to AAA, Tony Womack has been designated for assignment, meaning within ten days he'll be an ex-Cub for the second time, via trade or release. He batted .280 in limited time, better than most of the team this year.

Meanwhile, Neifi Perez, who was batting under .210 ten days ago, is getting more playing time and his average is back to within 40 points of Womack's. Minus the base-stealing threat and the 40:3 ratio in career playoff games. In case you haven't inferred by now, I think this move is asinine.

If Dusty Baker had the same kind of patience with Corey Patterson that he inexplicably has for Perez, who handles neither the bat nor the glove like he did a few years ago, I would be at least (pulling a number out of thin air) 20% less adamant about calling for his replacement.

I guess if there's a plus side, they're not making a move with Womack when his value is at its absolute nadir, like too many of the players dealt since 2003.

Doing the Math

The Cubs need to win four of their next six games before the halfway point, against the Brewers and White Sox, to be on pace to lose fewer than 100 games.

And here's another little factoid: Brewers rookie Prince Fielder ranks second in home runs at Wrigley Field (4) this season. Jacque Jones, who actually plays for the Cubs (which is debatable if you've seen him try to handle right field), leads with six.

Home, Sweet... Wait, What?

I've tried not to look at the standings lately. For Cub fans there isn't much point lately.

But over the next few days the Milwaukee Brewers will decide who goes into July with the worst home record in baseball, the Cubs (12-20), the Kansas City Royals (13-20) or the Atlanta Braves (14-20).

Milwaukee opened a three-game series at KC last night with a win, and Monday the Brewers visit Wrigley for four games before the White Sox come to the North Side.

Kansas City and the Braves each have one June home game remaining, while the Cubs finish the month at home following this weekend's series in Minnesota.

Ah, the memories

This part of June always brings back memories of people who are important to me.

Paul McCartney's birthday is the 18th, Brian Wilson's is the 20th, my mom's is the 21st, my great-grandmother passed away on a June 22nd, and then there's June 23rd.

I can't even see today's date on a calendar without thinking of the Sandberg Game, June 23, 1984. There are a couple hundred guys in the Hall of Fame, but try to name another one with a synonymous "Game" with-a-capital-G. Ruth? Cobb? Aaron? Mays? Mantle? Nope. Go down the list and you'll keep getting the same answer. Nor will you find references to the Gaedel Game or the Holloman Game or the Thomson Game or the Mazeroski Game. Or the Gibson Game or the Carter Game or, well, you get the point.

Those two late-inning, game-tying homers off of one of the greatest relievers in history set a lot of things in motion that summer. I'd never heard chants of "M-V-P" before. Rick Sutcliffe was about three starts into going 16-1 stretch as a mid-season acquisition. They even beat the team that the last generation of Cub fans taught me to despise.

But the one thing I'll always take with me from watching the Sandberg Game is that it was the first time I really Believed. Sure, it bit me in the ass more times than I can count. But what a rush...

Moritorium

I actually started doing this over a month ago, I just never mentioned it. But I've had it.

Until the Cubs win five straight games, I refuse to buy, wear or use any Cubs gear.

No hats, no jerseys, no t-shirts, no shorts, no stupid rubberbands that pull the hair off my wrist, no keychains, no lighters, no sunglasses, nothing. No Cubs tickets either.

In the meantime I will continue wearing gear from other teams. I have a Boston hat and a Cleveland shirt that I like, and a White Sox hat. I'm even going to the Cell for a game when Boston comes to town, but I'll probably leave the Boston hat at home. People wearing the opposing team's colors aren't even safe on the field...

But until these numbnuts find a way to win and win with regularity, I'm not doing anything in public that indicates I support any of their actions, unless those actions include firing Dusty Baker and at least Andy MacPhail.

Even if I have bad hair all summer long.

Give up? Not without a fight.

The Pirates today failed to score the winning run after loading the bases with nobody out in the ninth in a tie game with the Diamondbacks today. Arizona went on to score in the 11th and, as of moments ago, walked away with the win. Ex-Cub Jeromy Burnitz, who had tied the score in the 8th, struck out to end it.

The significance? A Pirate win and a Cub loss tonight in Cleveland would have put the two teams in a tie for last place.

In case you were wondering what kind of results from a $95 million roster justify massive changes throughout the organization, well, keep wondering. The third-worst record in baseball apparently isn't enough.

Bailey, Banks and Bidding

Crain's is reporting that Ernie Banks has approached the Cubs about buying the team and has attracted the interest of two groups of backers.

Banks told Crain's that Roy Bailey, a partner of Giuliani Partners LLC, contacted him about participating in a bid. That's as in Rudolph Giuliani, former New York mayor, 9/11 hero and rumored possible presidential candidate. Banks also said he has been approached by Comstock Capital Partners LLC.

Banks reportedly met with Tribune Company CEO Dennis FitzSimons, but the team is not for sale.

Zambrano, As Advertised

I was all set to write about Carlos Zambrano nearly duplicating his one-hit performance, and right after I typed in the headline, Ken Griffey Jr. hit a solo home run to trim the Cubs' lead to 4-1. Still, back-to-back dominant outings is a good sign, and for all the talk about Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, Zambrano keeps proving he's the real horse of the rotation.

Big Z allowed a run and four hits over 7-2/3, with Griffey's homer ending a 15 inning string over two starts allowing no runs and three hits. Still, within moments of his departure the threat of a no-decision loomed as a walk and a wild pitch by Bobby Howry put runners at second and third, but he got David Ross swinging to keep the inherited runner from scoring and end the 8th inning.

Ryan Dempster allowed a run in the ninth, but earned his 11th save in the 4-2 win.

Zambrano has now dropped his ERA to 2.93 with a 5-3 record after ending April at 0-2 and 5.35.

The Grand Slam Game

Good Cub fans will remember the old Grand Slam Game on WGN radio broadcasts. Cub hits a grand slam, you get a thousand bucks. Cub hits one in the 7th inning and you get $7,000.

Only, the Cubs hit so few grand slams that they changed the game a couple of years ago to the Back to Back Jacks contest. Through Friday the Cubs were tied for dead last in the majors in homers, and 45 Jacks in 60 games doesn't make the odds very good for that either.

Michael Barrett hit a grand slam in the seventh inning tonight in Cincinnati off of Esteban Yan, so when Phil Nevin followed Barrett with "only" a single, tonight's lucky caller was left with a consolation prize.

At least Pat Hughes gives you a fighting chance with their attendance game, and they changed that too. Callers don't have to guess on a guess anymore, it's all on Hughes' often uncanny talent at such an odd skill.

Think about it, Cub fans. If you're the kind of fan who calls in for radio contests, would you really want to lose your eligibility for awhile to take a shot on something so few "lucky" callers win?

Update

In light of my last column, I should mention that on Day 2 the Cubs drafted Joshua Lansford, a third baseman like his father, Carney, and pitcher Jeremy Papelbon, little brother of Boston wunderkind closer Jonathan Papelbon.

Draft Picky

The 2006 Amateur Draft began today. You probably won't be hearing any of the names for a while anyway, so I'll wax philosophical on the general topic.

In the big leagues, you can't swing a cat without hitting the son of a former ballplayer. So why not draft as many as you can?

Like in horse racing, pedigree means something. In addition to the DNA, multi-generational ballplayers have the added advantages of learning from a pro (and whoever's on Dad's team) as well as starting from tee-ball with the knowledge that playing ball for you isn't just chasing some unrealistic dream. You've been in the clubhouse, lugged your share of bats, and witnessed first-hand what real ballplayers do to get and stay ready for competition at the highest level, as far back as you can remember.

So it shouldn't be any surprise that just in the last few years you could look around and see Barry Bonds, Derrek Lee, Ken Griffey Jr., Gary Matthews Jr., Scott Hairston and Jerry Hairston Jr., Jose Cruz Jr., Tony Armas Jr., assorted third-generation Bells and Boones, Prince Fielder, Roberto and Sandy Alomar, Moises Alou, Nick Swisher, Josh Barfield, Adam LaRoche, Lance Niekro, Justin Speier, and I'm sure I missed some. All had dads in the big leagues except Lee, whose father played in Japan and uncle played in MLB. Not to be outdone, Corey and Eric Patterson's dad played in the NFL. I think you remember Corey...

So far in this draft, Doug Drabek's son Kyle (Phillies), Don Mattingly's son Preston (Dodgers), Jim Tracy's son Chad (Texas)(not to be confused with the Chad Tracy already playing), Paul Gibson's son Glenn (Washington) and John Shelby's son John (White Sox) have been picked up, and there are more rounds to go.

The worst of the lot will probably get at least a cup of coffee on the major league level, which compares favorably to the odds of your average amateur draftee. And Preston Mattingly is four inches taller than Don.

Roger Clemens's latest un-retirement gave him the opportunity to take the mound for Lexington tonight with his son Koby at third base. Depending on how many more encores the Astros can coax from Clemens and how fast li'l Clemens progresses, they might join the ranks of Tim Raines and Ken Griffey senior and junior.

Then you have the little brothers of big leaguers. Greg Maddux is a little brother. Pedro Martinez is a little brother. Trevor Hoffman is a little brother. Roberto Alomar, Aaron Boone and Alex Cora are little brothers. If Jake gets called up, add Joe Mauer to the list. Not to mention George Brett and Robin Yount a generation ago.

So as long as you're making 50 or 60 picks, why not dip into that DNA as often as you can? Anyone who showed any promise in high school or college, anyone who might be a little small yet, anyone who might be leaning toward another sport, take that shot on as many as you can, toss them in Rookie League and see what happens.

Sure, you'll wind up with your share of Pete Rose Juniors and Ozzie Cansecos, but even a cup of coffee makes it a better pick than some kid who never made it out of A ball. And you never know which of those kids are going to have a major league mindset simply by osmosis the day they walk into their first spring training camps as non-roster invitees.

All's Well That Ends Well

Carlos Zambrano didn't get his no-hitter. Or his shutout.

Zambrano never struck me as the kind of pitcher who ever wants to give up the ball, but Will Ohman came on for a 1-2-3 ninth, his tenth straight scoreless appearance, in a non-save situation. Big Z, who reportedly was okay about coming out of the game after losing the no-hitter, wound up throwing 126 pitches, allowing one hit and two walks and striking out eight over eight innings. Oh, and he hit a three-run homer off the top of the wall in deep right-center and had a total of four RBIs.

And hey hey, Cubs win 8-0.

The other story of the night is eight runs and 13 hits for the Cubs. Since the arrival of Tony Womack, he and four other Cubs are now batting between .301 and .312. Two hits for Todd Walker, .312. A single and the 11th home run for Jacque Jones, .310 (nope, that's not a misprint). Two hits for Cedeno, .307. A home run for Michael Barrett, .301. And despite going 0-for-5, Tony Womack is still at .357 in a Cub uniform and .304 overall.

So it's been a good week. Things are finally looking up. Derrek Lee's cast is off, Mark Prior's making rehab starts... only one little I-told-you-so, my man Corey Patterson is now 25 of 26 and leading the major leagues in stolen bases. I took a lot of flak for backing Corey last year...

Five Outs to Go

Carlos Zambrano batted for himself in the eighth inning. That's always a good sign. Only 99 pitches through seven innings. The fans in Houston are quiet.

Morgan Ensberg, who drew the walk, leads off the bottom of the eighth. Ensberg draws three balls and motions to first on the fourth pitch, which turns out to be a called strike. Then after a second called strike and a foul tip, Zambrano slips a slider past him to finish him off. Five outs to go.

We remember those words.

He goes 3-1 on Mike Lamb and loses him off the outside corner for his second walk of the game. A double play ball would be great right about now.

Preston Wilson takes a monster swing on the first pitch and comes up empty. But with a 2-2 count, Wilson pokes a single between first and second to break up the no-hitter. Zambrano then uncorks a wild pitch and the runners advance.

He gets Brad Ausmus and Eric Bruntlett swinging to end the inning, but the damage is done.

...updates following...

Don't Say It!

I don't know what it is with this generation of Cubs starting pitchers, but they seem to hit better than the old guys. Had Friday's 14-inning game gone on much longer with both benches depleted, Kerry Wood and Carlos Zambrano both have a little pop in their bats, and Zambrano has power from both sides. Sean Marshall's already had a few hits and Mark Prior's hit a few home runs.

It also seems when they're really on their game on the mound, they're more likely to get those hits. Kerry Wood's home runs are more likely when he strikes out a dozen batters. And Zambrano, well, he's having one of those games tonight in Houston.

Zambrano hit a three-run homer in the second, an RBI sacrifice fly in the fourth, and a one-hop rope to Craig Biggio in the fifth.

Through six innings on the mound with an 8-0 lead, he's struck out four, and given up, as they sidestep the issue once you get into the middle innings, "only" a leadoff walk in the fifth.

Nine outs to go. Nothing I haven't seen before. But still, it's nine outs from something no Cub has done since I was a fetus.

A leadoff line drive draws a gasp before it's stabbed by Aramis Ramirez, five unassisted. And a fly out to center. And a check-swing called third strike to end the seventh. Aaaaand breathe. They go to the Cub half of the eighth in Houston...

...updates following...

The Storie of Morrie, or The Rath of Con

One of the fascinating things about researching baseball is that you can look up one thing, go off on a tangent that leads to another, and just lose yourself in the history of the game.

You won’t find Morris “Morrie” Rath on a plaque in Cooperstown, for example, but I found him while I was trying to find out information on Juan Pierre.

Friday night’s RBI single gives Pierre five RBIs in now 224 at-bats. That’s a lot of at-bats to be in single digits, so I looked up the record for fewest RBIs in a season. You’d be surprised sometimes to find how difficult it can be to track down the opposite end of the record book.

I eventually found a reference to Rath and looked up his stat page. In 157 games (I’m assuming some ties) and 591 at-bats, the leadoff-hitting second-baseman drove in nineteen runs for the 1912 White Sox despite 161 hits and a .272 average.

Ninety-two games and a scant 12 RBIs into the following season with a sluggish .200 average, the Sox cut him loose even though he'd stolen 52 bases in under two seasons and finished 1912 eighth in the A.L. in runs scored and first in games played.

Regardless of his impressive numbers (well, some of them, anyway), it took Rath six years to resurface in the big leagues. He was 32 years old when the Cincinnati Reds sold their second-sacker to Brooklyn and brought in Morrie Rath.

For a guy who played one full season, most of two others and parts of six in total to have a footnote in baseball history isn’t rare, but Rath found himself with two footnotes. Two?

If you did the math, you’d notice this puts us at 1919. Based on some strong pitching – 23 shutouts in a shortened 140-game season – the Reds handily won the pennant by nine games and squared up against Rath’s former team. And if you’ve been paying attention and seen Eight Men Out a million times, you know where I’m headed here.

As the Reds’ leadoff hitter, two pitches into the 1919 World Series Sox pitcher Eddie Cicotte sent a message to Arnold Rothstein that the fix was on. Where perhaps a telegram may have sufficed, Cicotte hit Rath in the back with a pitch and one of the ugliest chapters in baseball history had begun.

Rath’s World Series footnote is cemented in history, but let’s just hope Juan Pierre doesn’t take away the other one.

The way things have been going lately, finishing up this column while Pierre was stepping in to lead off the 14th inning in St. Louis Friday night, I thought he might put an exclamation point on it, and a big Cubs win to put some more ground between the Cubbies and the last-place Pirates.

Instead of a home run, Pierre doubled just shy of the warning track, advanced to third on a sac bunt by Neifi Perez and scored on a grounder to first by Todd Walker. Not the Hollywood ending I wanted, but I’ll take it. RBIs are nice, but breaking 14th inning ties on the road against the Cardinals is impressive no matter how you get the job done.

In any case, Cubs win, Cubs win, 5-4 in 14 innings. And that’s all that’s really important in the end no matter how many runs your leadoff hitter drives in.