Reliever Will Ohman tries out for specialist role

By Dylan Hernandez

Reporting from Phoenix -- The Dodgers remain active on the free-agent market with only a week remaining until the start of the regular season, as they're waiting to hear back from Will Ohman, the situational left-hander they auditioned Sunday.

Ohman, 31, was presented with a contract offer, which is believed to be for one year at around $1 million. The victim of a market that proved tough for relievers, he remains out of work because teams have refused to pay him the $2-million salary he is reportedly seeking.

Come To Think of It: Cubs Need Creative Revenue To Maintain Competitive Balance

by Bob Warja

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Carol Slezak wrote an article in Sunday's newspaper titled Bad-neighbor Policy at Work. Her main premise is that the Chicago Cubs "disregard responsibility to the community (by hosting) concerts (and wanting) more night games."

Well I say tough baseballs, Ms. Slezak. If you want the benefits of living around Wrigley Field, you have to accept the good with the bad.

Property values and rooftop revenues are the financial benefits of living near the Cubs ballpark. Yes, the night games and concerts come with increased traffic and the occasional drunk pissing on your lawn. But let's face it, the ballpark was probably there before you were. And you can't have your cake and eat it too—reaping the benefits while whining about the inconveniences.

Of course, Slezak used to live in the Lake View neighborhood, so she has a biased opinion. Plus she's a White Sox fan. But Wrigley is old and lacks many of the revenue-generating amenities that the newer ballparks boast. So they must make money where they can.

And if that means being creative and squeezing out every dollar that the area will produce, then so be it. That's what may be necessary to keep up with players salaries and remain competitive.

New owner Tom Ricketts will certainly want to move forward with plans to increase parking and build restaurants and bars inside Wrigley Field's "inner circle," to bring in some of the fans that have historically spent their money at other establishments surrounding the park.

Patterned after the Fenway Park model in Boston, Ricketts and Co. will look to maximize their revenue. After all, he is a businessman. Yes, he's a fan, but I'm sure he doesn't want to lose money. And I'm equally certain that part of the lure of owning the Cubs is all that untapped potential income.

Sure, if you're Murphy's Bleachers, for example, and you've been there through the lean times when the park was relatively empty, you may feel like this plan isn't fair. But what the Cubs need to do is to tell the bar owners "Look, you can either go out of business or you can pay us a percentage of your profits, and if you can't beat us, join us."

The Cubs own land around the ballpark, so why should they let the neighborhood businesses make a profit off the Cubs success without the team taking its proper share?

It may seem harsh, but it's business in a difficult economy, folks. You can't scream for the Cubs to buy free agents and then oppose their attempts to make additional money.

It's a choice, really. You can fight it to your detriment or you can accept the inevitable. No more Mr. Nice Guy. No more Friendly Confines, come to think of it.

Source: bleacherreport.com

Gregg beats out Marmol for closer role with Cubs

MESA, Ariz. (AP) -Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella has picked Kevin Gregg to be the team's closer heading into the season.

Gregg beat out Carlos Marmol, the Cubs' setup man last year. Going into Sunday, Gregg hadn't given up a run all spring.

The Cubs obtained the 30-year-old Gregg during the offseason in a trade with Florida. Last season, he saved 29 games for the Marlins.

The right-hander also had 32 saves in 2007 and has 62 for his career.

Marmol entered Sunday with a 1-1 record and 4.50 ERA in spring training. He has hit five batters with pitches.

Marmol returns to his role of setup man to begin the season.

Chicago Cubs name Kevin Gregg closer

By Paul Sullivan

Cubs manager Lou Piniella named Kevin Gregg the team's closer on Sunday over Carlos Marmol.

Piniella spoke to both pitchers this morning and made his announcement after batting practice at HoHoKam Park.

Piniella's difficult decision was made even harder because he knows what Marmol can do while he’s only just learning about Gregg.

Statistically speaking, Gregg has outperformed Marmol this spring, throwing 8 1/3 shutout innings in nine appearances. Marmol has compiled a 4.50 earned-run average and hit five batters in eight innings, not counting his numbers from the World Baseball Classic. Marmol and Gregg both have 10 strikeouts, while Marmol has walked one and Gregg has walked two.

The Cubs should be fine in the late innings if both pitch up to their capabilities.

The bigger concern is how to get better performances in 2009 out of Chad Gaudin, Luis Vizcaino and Neal Cotts, who will be the team’s only left-hander out of the bullpen.

Otherwise, Ted Lilly makes his first Cactus League start since late February against Cleveland this afternoon, facing his old friend Mark DeRosa.

Chicago Cubs 2009 Preview

Chicago Cubs 2008 Review:

Hmm, how do I even begin? The Chicago Cubs tortured their fan base once again in 2008, finishing a stellar regular season with an NL Central title only to rip their hearts out and stomp on them in the NLDS against Manny and the Dodgers. The Cubbies looked more like a scared group of amateurs against the Dodgers with a lack of offense and terrible defense that led to an end of what should have been a more productive postseason. The Cubs finished the 2008 regular season with 97 wins and look poised to make some noise in the playoffs. Led by Derrek Lee, Mark DeRosa, Aramis Ramirez and Geovany Soto offensively, the northsiders featured one of the most prolific offenses in the MLB. They also received surprising contributions from Ryan Dempster who managed to lead the team in wins, ERA and strikeouts. However, after reaching the postseason, the Cubs buckled under the immense pressure from a fan base that expected nothing less than a trip to the World Series, ending their 2008 season during round one against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Chicago Cubs 2009 Preview:

The Cubs head into 2009 with a bad taste in their mouth following an epic collapse in the 2008 playoff. Chicago should have another chance to disappoint fans come October, as they are heavy favorites to again win the NL Central and reach the playoffs yet again. With what should again be one of the top offenses in baseball this year, pending it’s ability to stay healthy, the Cubs can ride their depth in the outfield and power bats at the corners of the infield to a playoff appearance in 2009. With a rotation that features Carlos Zambrano (threw a no-hitter against Houston last year at Miller Park on September 14th), Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster and Rich Harden, the Cubbies have one of the better starting rotations in the division. The question is, who will be that 5th starter? As of now, it looks as though Sean Marshall is the leading contender for that role, but that can always change. The bull-pen, assuming Marshall wins the 5th spot in the rotation, will include Kevin Gregg, Jeff Samardzija, Gaudin, Cotts and Vizcaino. Kerry Wood leaving for Cleveland leave the closing duties to Carlos Marmol most likely, who finished with a 2.68 ERA in 2008. With such a well-rounded ball club, the Cubs should be expected to again win well above 90 games and finish first in the NL Central.

Chicago Cubs Surprise Player of 2009:

Jeff Samardzija is probably best known at this point in his career for his contributions to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football program during his time in college, but look for Samardzija to really establish himself as a dominant pitcher for this Cubs team in 2009. Samardzija finished last season with a 2.28 ERA in his short time as a part of the major league roster. In 26 games, the tall right-hander finished with a 1-0 record, 1 save, and 25 strikeouts in only 27 2/3 innings pitched. If Jeff can control his free passes (15 BB in less than 28 IP in 2008), he should be a force in whatever role he finds himself in for Chicago in 2009. His versatility allows the Cubs to bring him out of the pen, or place him in that 5th starters role if Marshall struggles early. Look for him to be used a lot like Justin Masterson was used for Boston in 2008, with much of the same success.

Chicago Cubs Projected 2009 Record:

1st place in the NL Central with a record of 94-68 (#1 seed in NL Playoffs).

20 Things That Have Happened Since The Chicago Cubs Last Won The World Series

Radio was invented; Cub fans got to hear their team lose.

TV was invented; Cub fans got to see their team lose.

Baseball added 14 teams; Cub fans got to see AND hear their team lose to more teams.

George Burns celebrated his 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th, 90th and 100th birthdays.

Haley’s Comet passed Earth… twice.

Harry Caray was born… and died. Incredible, but true.

The NBA, NHL and NFL were formed, and Chicago teams won championships in each league.

Man landed on the moon, as have several home runs given up by Cubs pitchers.

Sixteen US presidents were elected.

There were 11 amendments added to the Constitution.

Prohibition was created, and repealed.

The Titanic was built, set sail, sank, was discovered, and became the subject of major motion pictures… the latter giving Cub fans hope that something that finishes on the bottom can come out on top.

Wrigley Field was built and becomes the oldest park in the National League.

Flag poles were erected on Wrigley Field roof to hold all of the team’s future World Series pennants. Those flag poles have since rusted and been taken down.

A combination of 40 summer & winter Olympics have been held.

Thirteen baseball players have won the Triple Crown; several thanked Cubs pitchers.

Bell bottoms came in style, went out of style, and came back in style.

The Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Florida Marlins have
ALL won the World Series.

The Cubs played 14,153 regular-season games; they lost the majority of them.

Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Oklahoma, and New Mexico were added to the Union.

Baseball Notebook

Florida Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco combined with two relievers to throw a no-hitter against the Detroit Tigers yesterday. Nolasco struck out eight Tigers in seven innings while walking one and hitting one batter. Dan Meyer and Leo Nunez completed the no-hitter.

Oft-injured Chicago Cubs pitcher Rich Harden could miss his first start of the regular season, this time because of a flu bug. The Victoria native missed a spring start on Friday because of a stomach problem and could get pushed back in the rotation when the real games begin. Harden has only made two spring starts as the Cubs try to protect his shoulder. "If he's ready by the time the season starts, he's ready," manager Lou Piniella told the Arlington Daily Herald. "If he's not, we've got [Sean] Marshall [who will] be ready, and we can throw [Harden] into the fifth-starter's spot and give him more time."

Former big-league pitcher Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd, who recently said he would like to return to the majors at age 49, could suit up for Ottawa in the Can-Am League, according to The Boston Globe. "The ball is coming out of my hand free and easy for the first time in years," Boyd said. "I just want to prove I can throw 100 pitches for 30 starts and dominate."

The Chicago White Sox have reportedly agreed to terms on a four-year, US$15.5-million contract with right-hander Gavin Floyd, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The 26-year-old Floyd went 17-8 for the Sox last year with a 3.84 ERA.

New York Yankees rookie centre-fielder Brett Gardner has been one of the surprises of the spring, but even if he beats out Melky Cabrera, the Yankees could still make a trade. They have been reportedly interested in Milwaukee's Mike Cameron. "[Gardner] is a very streaky kid," one major-league scout told The Boston Globe. "He'll have a couple of weeks where he'll get big hits and really be an effective leadoff hitter and another two weeks where you need to hide him as the No. 9 hitter."

Source: Nationalpost.com

The new Yankee Stadium

Recap: Chicago Cubs vs. Seattle

Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run single to pace the Chicago Cubs over Seattle, 5-3, in Cactus League action.

Aaron Miles, Paul Bako and Andres Blanco each knocked in a run for Chicago. Carlos Zambrano got the win by scattering four hits and one run over six innings. He also struck out six without a walk and contributed a double to the winning effort.

Chris Woodward finished 3-for-4 with a solo home run for the Mariners. Starter Erik Bedard allowed two hits in 2 2/3 scoreless frames. Cesar Jimenez was charged in the loss with two hits and three runs while recording just one out.

Cubs to honour greats

MESA, Ariz. -- The Chicago Cubs will retire the No. 31 worn by both Ferguson Jenkins and Greg Maddux.

They two star right-handed pitchers will be honoured at a ceremony May 3 before a game against Florida at Wrigley Field.

It will be the fifth number retired by the Cubs, joining No. 14 (Ernie Banks), No. 26 (Billy Williams), No. 10 (Ron Santo) and No. 23 (Ryne Sandberg).

Jenkins, elected to the Hall of Fame in 1991, and Maddux, who won 355 games before retiring in December, are the first pitchers in Cubs history to have their numbers retired.

Jenkins retired before the 1984 season. When Maddux broke in with the Cubs two years later, he was given No. 31.

"I remember walking down the stairs there at the clubhouse. I got called up in September from Des Moines and it was just right there in my locker," Maddux said of the No. 31.

"Being 20 years old at the time the last thing I was going to do was complain about my number. I was just happy to be there."

A few weeks later Maddux learned he had been given the same number that Jenkins wore with the Cubs.

"I thought that was pretty cool. They gave me Fergie's number. I knew he was one of the best pitchers to ever play for the Cubs and for baseball period."

Turns out Maddux became one of the greatest, too.

"Both of us had I think brilliant careers," Jenkins said. "He won a Cy Young as a Cub and I did it, also. I think it was a productive number."

Maddux said he didn't give much thought to having his number retired during his first stint with Chicago from 1986-1992 but acknowledged he did during his second stretch.

"I thought it was pretty cool. I always liked seeing Ryno's number up there because I had played with him," Maddux said.

Jenkins went 167-132 with a 3.20 ERA in 401 appearances during two stints with the Cubs.

He was a three-time NL All-Star (1967, 1971 and 1972) and won the 1971 NL. Cy Young Award after going 24-13.

During his 19-year career that also included stops with the Phillies, Rangers and Red Sox, he had a 284-226 record with a 3.34 ERA. He pitched 267 complete games.

Maddux won 133 games for the Cubs and earned the first of four consecutive NL Cy Young Awards with the Cubs in 1992, when he went 20-11 with a 2.18 ERA. He then signed with Atlanta.

Fergie Jenkins, Greg Maddux to have No. 31 retired by Chicago Cubs

By Fred Mitchell

At long last, Ferguson Jenkins received the call.

The Cubs plan to retire the No. 31 he and future Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux wore during a special ceremony May 3 before the Cubs host the Florida Marlins at Wrigley Field.

"I knew eventually it would happen," Jenkins said Wednesday from Arizona. "It is good for the fans. It's important fans recognize it, as well as the organization. I am having family members come down and friends I made over a couple of decades playing for the organization."

Jenkins was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991 but has had to wait as the uniform numbers of former teammates Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ron Santo and Ryne Sandberg were retired.

Jenkins insists he does not know why the Cubs delayed his honor.

"No, not really," he said. "When they had a day for me the year I went into the Hall, I thought it would have happened then. But nobody ever brought it up.

"You know, there's a time to do things, and unfortunately it just wasn't that time."

Jenkins said he originally requested No. 30 from the Cubs when he was acquired with Adolfo Phillips and John Hernstein from the Phillies in 1966 for Bob Buhl and Larry Jackson. Cubs clubhouse man Yosh Kawano informed Jenkins that young left-hander Kenny Holtzman wore that number.

"My birthday is Dec. 13, so I reversed the numbers to make it 31," Jenkins said.

Maddux is the only pitcher in big-league history to win at least 15 games in 17 consecutive seasons. He earned a record eighteen Gold Gloves and won more games during the 1990s than any other pitcher. He's eighth on the career victory list with 355, 133 for the Cubs.

Maddux came up with the Cubs in 1986 after being selected in the second round of the 1984 amateur draft.

"I remember walking down the stairs into the clubhouse. I got called up in September from (Triple A Iowa)," Maddux said. "[The No. 31 jersey] was there in my locker. Being 20-years-old at the time, the last thing I was going to do was complain about my number. I was just happy to be there."

Maddux said he soon learned Jenkins had been the previous Cubs player to wear No. 31.

"I thought that was pretty cool that they gave me Fergie's number," Maddux said.

Jenkins won 284 games for the Cubs, Phillies, Rangers and Red Sox and captured the National League Cy Young Award in 1971.

Jenkins won 20 games six straight years for the Cubs, and seven times overall. Yet, he never played on a first-place team or in the postseason.

He was named an All-Star three times: 1967, 1971 and '72. During an eight-year stretch from 1967-1974, Jenkins finished in the top three in NL Cy Young voting five times and second twice.

"They took [No. 31] off the list last year. And the year before they wouldn't let [Ted] Lilly wear it. So I thought eventually it would happen after Greg Maddux retired," Jenkins said.

Maddux's first stint with the Cubs was from 1986 to '92. The Cubs famously allowed him to get away through free agency when he signed with the Atlanta Braves, where he flourished from 1993-2003 and won a World Series in 1995 and captured three of his four Cy Young Awards.

"You know what, both [the Cubs and Braves] were very special to me," Maddux said. "Of course, I came up with the Cubs, and it kind of ended with the Cubs (2004-06). I know I spent the last few years on the West Coast (with San Diego and the Dodgers). But that was more for family reasons and selfish reasons. But when you talk about loyalty--Chicago and Atlanta … both places were great. I spent 11 great years in Atlanta and 12 with the Cubs, counting the minor leagues. I love both places."

Council OKs three concerts at Wrigley Field this summer

By Dave van Dyck

The Chicago Cubs today received final approval from the City Council to hold three concerts this summer at Wrigley Field.

Although the Southport Neighbors Association opposed allowing more than two concerts, Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) signed off on the plan, saying he would work to “minimize the concerns of the community at large.”

Southport Neighbors holds its annual festival in July on the same weekend that country band Rascal Flatts will play on a Saturday (July 18). The following week, Billy Joel and Elton John will team up for weeknight concerts at Wrigley.

The Cubs initially booked just Joel and John for one night, adding Rascal Flatts to make it a profitable package for a promoter. But the one-night stand became a two-date run after Joel and John quickly sold out the baseball stadium.

Update: Cubs chairman Crane Kenney, speaking in Arizona at spring training, defended the expanded revenue-generating projects in and around Wrigley Field, saying "it sounds odd, but Elton John will help us win ballgames," he said."CBOE [sponsorship] paid for Rich Harden."

Cubs add restaurant at Wrigley Field, may move spring training home from Mesa

MESA, Ariz.--Cubs chairman Crane Kenney said the Cubs probably would not be sold by opening day, but still predicted it could be finalized shortly thereafter and that none of the holdups "was in any way fatal."

Among other topics covered during Kenney's long meeting with media Thursday:

A new restaurant, run by Harry Caray's restaurant, will be ready for the start of the season. The indoor-outdoor "sports bar" facility will envelope the entire triangle at Sheffield and Addison and surround the statue of the late broadcaster. It will be open year round and will seat 491, replacing the Friendly Confines restaurant in the right field corner.

The Cubs might leave Mesa as a spring training homeafter 2012. Kenney said the Cubs need a more modern and expanded facility, especially for their year-round baseball operations, and have been talking with cities in Florida.

"We've been in touch with a number of municipalities and states," said Kenney, adding that the team would be "the most desireable free agent on the market."

He also said the Cubs have no desire to share a new facility with another team, as the White Sox have done with the Dodgers near Glendale, Ariz.

"I think the Cubs deserve to stand on their own," Kenney said.

They must tell Mesa officials by spring training next year if they plan to leave. One possibility could be Sarasota, Fla., a former spring training home of the White Sox.

Kenney defended the expanded revenue-generating projects in and around Wrigley Field, saying "it sounds odd but Elton John will help us win ballgames," he said."CBOE [sponsorship] paid for Rich Harden."

Kenney also said the Blackhawks game at Wrigley Field helped and that the NHL will pay for re-sodding Wrigley Field before opening day

"We have to be as aggressive off the field as on," he said..

General manager Jim Hendry will have money to spend if he desires at the All-Star break, although that will be up to the new ownership of the Ricketts family. But Kenney said that may not be necessary.

"We think this club is better than the club that won 97 games last year," he said.

The so-called "triangle building" at Clark and Waveland is on hold right now, but it could include a year-round restauarnt and a hotel.

The Cubs "are not actively discussing" more night games at Wrigley.

"The recession has been tough on everyone, especially sponsors," Kenney said. However, Kenney said there would be new sponsorship for the outfield doors after Under Armour pulled out of its deal.

Kenney was intrigued by the idea of a jumbotron scoreboard, which the NHL tried at Wrigley, but said it was not now on the drawing boards.

Attendance record set at Camelback Ranch

Tuesday's exhibition game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch Glendale set a single-game Cactus League attendance record of 13,046.

The record was established in just the eighth Dodgers home game in the new Phoenix stadium, which Los Angeles shares with the Chicago White Sox. The previous mark of 13,010 had been set Feb. 28 in Mesa's Hohokam Stadium for a Cubs-White Sox game.

The Dodgers, who before this year trained in Vero Beach, Fla., have averaged 9,495 so far this year in their Cactus League home games.

Chicago Cubs prepared to give Corey Koskie a chance

PHOENIX — Before it's all over, Corey Koskie could change the minds of Cubs bosses about how their roster is structured.

If he continues to hit like he did Tuesday in his first real spring training game since 2006—a double and walk in three plate appearances—manager Lou Piniella might be tempted to take him as a backup third and first baseman. That would mean one outfielder would lose a roster spot.

"Can our mind be changed? Yes," Piniella said. "We're going to take a good look at him in the next couple of weeks. It would be a nice [comeback] story if it materializes."

Koskie hasn't played in a big league game since July 2006 because of post-concussion syndrome.

I feel as normal as anyone can for a Canadian playing major league baseball," he said. "I feel good out there."

Of course, he is leaving the final decision to the brass.

"I just take care of my own thing. If they like me, they like me," Koskie said. "If they don't, they don't. That stuff doesn't concern me."

Closer look: Right-handed reliever David Patton, a Rule 5 draftee from the Rockies, is opening eyes in camp with one run allowed and seven strikeouts in 62/3 innings. He's never appeared in a game above Class A and must make the final roster or be offered back to Colorado.

"He has a chance to stay here," Piniella said. "I'm seeing where other teams' Rule 5 drafts are being returned now. We haven't even discussed it. That means we've been impressed with him. He's not intimidated."

Extra innings: First baseman Derrek Lee was scratched from the lineup against the Dodgers with a sore right quad and likely will miss a few days. Milton Bradley missed a second straight day with flulike symptoms and Joey Gathright was at the dentist. … The Cubs sent nine players to the minor league camp, including pitcher Jeff Stevens, who came from the Indians in the Mark DeRosa trade.

Chicago Cubs recap of loss to Milwaukee Brewers

Score: Brewers 9, Cubs 6.

Spring record: 9-11.

At the plate: Aramis Ramirez had two hits, including a home run. Alfonso Soriano also had two hits and Mike Fontenot one more for a .381 spring average.

On the mound: Jeff Samardzija's spring ERA rose to 9.90 as he allowed five runs in two innings. Carlos Marmol had one strikeout and one walk in a scoreless inning.

In the field: With two outs in the first, right fielder Micah Hoffpauir drifted under Prince Fielder's high fly but couldn't catch it. Then Fontenot threw a wild relay to third, allowing Fielder to score.

K kings: Cubs pitchers led the majors heading into Monday with 140 strikeouts, and they added nine more against the Brewers, three in one inning by Mitch Atkins.

Slow-starting Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee searches for hitting stroke

By Dave van Dyck

PHOENIX - With Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez jumping back to spring respectability with two hits each Wednesday, the remaining holdout is Derrek Lee.

With an 0-for-3 Monday, Lee is hitting .179 this spring with four singles, one double and two RBIs.

Usually it wouldn't be a concern, but with Lee slumping the second half of last summer, about the only person not worried is Lee.

"I don't even know what my average is," he said. "I know I'm not getting a lot of hits. I don't even look at my average. ... Everyone wants to get a hit every time up, but I feel fine."

Manager Lou Piniella would like to see the "feeling fine" translate into some power statistics.

Piniella said Lee had a great batting practice early Monday but fizzled in the afternoon game. He included Lee in the group with the Cubs' producers, especially Soriano, who is traditionally a slow starter.

"I'd like to see our big boys start to whack the ball," Piniella said.

"I have all the confidence in the world they'll be ready when the season starts, but at the same time I'd like to see them have some good at-bats and consistently hit the ball hard."

Of course, this being an extra long spring training, they still have time for improvement—and that's especially true for Lee.

"I don't like a long spring personally, so I wouldn't say it's a good thing," he said with a chuckle. "Eventually you kind of make yourself get there once it's time. You get reps, play defense and get your body ready. If the season started tomorrow, I'd be ready to go.

"Spring training is about seeing the ball. I know if I'm seeing the ball, I'm going to hit it. I feel like I've been seeing the ball pretty good, taking some pitches. I've actually lined out quite a bit this spring, which is actually good for me."

He has also grounded into only one double play, after tying a franchise record with 27 last season.

"That's so funny to me," Lee said. "I mean, a double play is something ... yeah, I hit a lot last year, but I might come back and hit into 10 this year. I'll bet there's never been a guy lead the league two years in a row. You hit the ball 3 feet to the left and it's not a double play."

Double plays weren't Lee's only problem last season. He hit 20 home runs, his fewest in a full season since 1998, and went from a first half of .306, 15 homers and 56 RBIs to a second half of .266, 5, 34.

"I got out of whack in the second half," he said. "It was a poor second half, as simple as that. It seems like that first series in Houston after the [All-Star] break was bad and it just snowballed from there. I've got to find a way to be more consistent throughout the year instead of just half the season.

"The second half I didn't think I had a lot of good at-bats. It was always kind of a struggle. Being experienced, I was able to find a way to get a few hits here and there. I just started searching for stuff and got out of whack, started changing things."

Chicago Cubs Start Spring Training With Help From Their Chicago Movers

Chicagoland residents caught the first glimpse of spring when crews from Reebie Storage and Moving showed up at Wrigley Field in mid-February to pack up the Chicago Cubs' equipment and personal gear in preparation for the team's annual migration to their spring training camp in Mesa, Arizona.

Reebie, a Chicago mover based agent of Allied Van Lines, is the Cubs' official mover. The domestic and international relocation company has been shuttling the team back and forth to their spring camp each year since 1997.

This year the coveted job of moving the Cubbies to their 2009 Cactus League digs at Hohokam Stadium went to industry veteran and Master Mover Marek Stachowiak. "Marek's consistently high-quality driver ratings earned him the honor of moving the team south and getting them set up in time for their first game against the Dodgers on February 25th."

The Cubs and Reebie Storage & Moving have a long-standing professional relationship. Both were founded in the late 1800s in the city's Lincoln Park area, and both have a rich history of serving the citizens of Chicago.

As Chicago movers for more than 100 years, Reebie Storage & Moving Company has been serving the Chicagoland area with full-service transportation and storage services. Reebie is trusted by Chicagoland residents for all their relocation needs based on Reebie's outstanding reputation as reliable Chicago movers with a commitment to quality not seen by other moving companies. Reebie is renowned for the highest quality residential and commercial moving and storage services, ranging from domestic and international household relocations to superior records management and storage.

Reebie Storage & Moving Company opened its doors in 1880 and continues to provide the entire Chicagoland area with comprehensive transportation and storage services. Visit ReebieAllied.com for more information about their capabilities as Chicago movers.

Originally Published At: http://www.prweb.com/releases/Chicago-movers/Chicago-Cubs-moving-co/prweb2232614.htm

A Look at Minor League Spring Schedule

By Steve Holley

Unlike years past, there is a noticeable difference in the head-to-head scheduling of minor league spring training games for Chicago Cubs prospects this season.

Traditionally the Cubs’ minor league spring training teams, which are divided into four classification groups (Triple-A, Double-A, High Class-A and Low Class-A), have played exhibition games against most every Cactus League squad. That is not the case this spring.

The Cubs’ minor leaguers this spring will play head-to-head games against only three teams—the San Francisco Giants, Oakland A’s and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Cubs Vice President of Player Personnel Oneri Fleita explained the scheduling change.

“It cuts down on travel and allows us to get more work in of the morning,” Fleita said.

Exhibition play begins Thursday with the Cubs’ groups playing games against the same squads of their opponents (e.g. Triple-A vs. Triple-A, etc.). Minor league players break camp Monday, April 6. All start times Arizona Time.

Date	Teams	Location	Time
Thu, March 19	Triple-A Giants at Triple-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Thu, March 19	Double-A Giants at Double-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Thu, March 19	High-A Cubs at High-A Giants	Giants Complex	1 p.m.
Thu, March 19	Low-A Cubs at Low-A Giants	Giants Complex	1 p.m.
Fri, March 20	Triple-A Cubs at Triple-A Giants	Giants Complex	1 p.m.
Fri, March 20	Double-A Cubs at Double-A Giants	Giants Complex	1 p.m.
Fri, March 20	High-A Giants at High-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Fri, March 20	Low-A Giants at Low-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Sat, March 21	Triple-A A’s at Triple-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Sat, March 21	Double-A A’s at Double-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Sat, March 21	High-A Cubs at High-A A’s	A’s Complex	1 p.m.
Sat, March 21	Low-A Cubs at Low-A A’s	A’s Complex	1 p.m.
Sun, March 22	Camp Day	Fitch Park
Mon, March 23	Triple-A Cubs at Triple-A Angels	Angels Complex	1 p.m.
Mon, March 23	Double-A Cubs at Double-A Angels	Angels Complex	1 p.m.
Mon, March 23	High-A Angels at High-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Mon, March 23	Low-A Angels at Low-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Tue, March 24	Triple-A Cubs at Triple-A Giants	Giants Complex	1 p.m.
Tue, March 24	Double-A Cubs at Double-A Giants	Giants Complex	1 p.m.
Tue, March 24	High-A Giants at High-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Tue, March 24	Low-A Giants at Low-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Wed, March 25	Triple-A A’s at Triple-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Wed, March 25	Double-A A’s at Double-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Wed, March 25	High-A Cubs at High-A A’s	A’s Complex	1 p.m.
Wed, March 25	Low-A Cubs at Low-A A’s	A’s Complex	1 p.m.
Thu, March 26	Triple-A Cubs at Triple-Angels	Angels Complex	1 p.m.
Thu, March 26	Double-A Cubs at Double-Angels	Angels Complex	1 p.m.
Thu, March 26	High-A Angels at High-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Thu, March 26	Low-A Angels at Low-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Fri, March 27	Triple-A Giants at Triple-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Fri, March 27	Double-A Giants at Double-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Fri, March 27	High-A Cubs at High-A Giants	Giants Complex	1 p.m.
Fri, March 27	Low-A Cubs at Low-A Giants	Giants Complex	1 p.m.
Sat, March 28	Triple-A Cubs at Triple-A A’s	A’s Complex	1 p.m.
Sat, March 28	Double-A Cubs at Double-A A’s	A’s Complex	1 p.m.
Sat, March 28	High-A A’s at High-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Sat, March 28	Low-A A’s at Low-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Sun, March 29	Camp Day	Fitch Park
Mon, March 30	Triple-A Giants at Triple-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Mon, March 30	Double-A Giants at Double-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Mon, March 30	High-A Cubs at High-A Giants	Giants Complex	1 p.m.
Mon, March 30	Low-A Cubs at Low-A Giants	Giants Complex	1 p.m.
Tue, March 31	Triple-A Cubs at Triple-A Angels	Angels Complex	1 p.m.
Tue, March 31	Double-A Cubs at Double-A Angels	Angels Complex	1 p.m.
Tue, March 31	High-A Angels at High-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Tue, March 31	Low-A Angels at Low-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Wed, April 1	Triple-A Cubs at Triple-A A’s	A’s Complex	1 p.m.
Wed, April 1	Double-A Cubs at Double-A A’s	A’s Complex	1 p.m.
Wed, April 1	High-A A’s at High-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Wed, April 1	Low-A A’s at Low-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Thu, April 2	Triple-A Giants at Triple-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Thu, April 2	Double-A Giants at Double-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Thu, April 2	High-A Cubs at High-A Giants	Giants Complex	1 p.m.
Thu, April 2	Low-A Cubs at Low-A Giants	Giants Complex	1 p.m.
Fri, April 3	Triple-A A’s at Triple-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Fri, April 3	Double-A A’s at Double-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Fri, April 3	High-A Cubs at High-A A’s	A’s Complex	1 p.m.
Fri, April 3	Low-A Cubs at Low-A A’s	A’s Complex	1 p.m.
Sat, April 4	Triple-A Cubs at Triple-A Giants	Giants Complex	1 p.m.
Sat, April 4	Double-A Cubs at Double-A Giants	Giants Complex	1 p.m.
Sat, April 4	High-A Giants at High-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Sat, April 4	Low-A Giants at Low-A Cubs	Fitch Park	1 p.m.
Sun, April 5	Triple-A Angels at Triple-A Cubs	Fitch Park	9 a.m.
Sun, April 5	Double-A Angels at Double-A Cubs	Fitch Park	9 a.m.
Sun, April 5	High-A Cubs at High-A Angels	Angels Complex	9 a.m.
Sun, April 5	Low-A Angels at Low-A Cubs	Angels Complex	9 a.m.