The White Sox signed Paul Konerko, their own free agent first baseman, to a three year deal for something around 37 million. This is on top of signing Adam Dunn, presumably to split time at first and DH with Konerko, and resigning AJ Pierzynski.
The Cubs, meanwhile, signed Carlos Pena, a LH first baseman with some power, from the Tigers. He hit only .196 last year (but had a .340 OBP), and apparently this is good enough for a 1 year 10 million dollar deal.
The Cubs are also said to be interested in dealing for Matt Garza, whom the Rays would apparently like to trade for prospects.
*****
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Ron Santo passes away...
I woke up on Friday, December 3rd, like all the other Cubs fans, to the news that Ron Santo, the team's radio "analyst" and popular ex-player, had passed away of complications due to cancer.
Santo was not the best broadcaster, let's face it. He was a total homer, and his analysis left something to be desired. Pat Hughes, an excellent play-by-play radio voice, sort of left Ron to his devices, to the amusement of the radio audience and perhaps to himself also! An aside: One time when Hughes was sick, I heard a broadcast (during spring training, I believe) where Steve Stone, a top flight analyst himself, subbed as play-by-play man in the booth. I never, never, never heard Ron Santo sound better - Stone was setting him up for real analysis, and I was surprised to learn that he really did have it in him. He was not the lovable babbling superfan that we often heard with Hughes.
But I grew up in the late 60's, and watched Santo man the hot corner for the Cubs. Back then I watched a lot of baseball, and Santo could pick it with the best of them. He was only a little behind Brooks Robinson in the field, and I'd rather have had Santo coming to bat with men on base. He was my favorite player, so perhaps I'm biased a bit, but I see him as the best NL third baseman of his era.
We learned later that he played with diabetes, and did so at a high level for many years. He was a Cubs icon, if not for his work in the booth (where many would disagree with me - they loved him as a broadcaster), then for his contributions on the field.
RIP #10. It is fitting that no other Cub will ever wear that number.
*****
Santo was not the best broadcaster, let's face it. He was a total homer, and his analysis left something to be desired. Pat Hughes, an excellent play-by-play radio voice, sort of left Ron to his devices, to the amusement of the radio audience and perhaps to himself also! An aside: One time when Hughes was sick, I heard a broadcast (during spring training, I believe) where Steve Stone, a top flight analyst himself, subbed as play-by-play man in the booth. I never, never, never heard Ron Santo sound better - Stone was setting him up for real analysis, and I was surprised to learn that he really did have it in him. He was not the lovable babbling superfan that we often heard with Hughes.
But I grew up in the late 60's, and watched Santo man the hot corner for the Cubs. Back then I watched a lot of baseball, and Santo could pick it with the best of them. He was only a little behind Brooks Robinson in the field, and I'd rather have had Santo coming to bat with men on base. He was my favorite player, so perhaps I'm biased a bit, but I see him as the best NL third baseman of his era.
We learned later that he played with diabetes, and did so at a high level for many years. He was a Cubs icon, if not for his work in the booth (where many would disagree with me - they loved him as a broadcaster), then for his contributions on the field.
RIP #10. It is fitting that no other Cub will ever wear that number.
*****
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Ryan Theriot a Cardinal!
Fan favorite Ryan Theriot was apparently signed by the St. Louis Cardinals to man a middle infield position for them. I'd guess they'll put the former fan fave at shortstop, where he has the most value - his bat is a little weak for 2nd base but strong enough to make up for his defensive limitations (not liabilities because I think Theriot is an excellent fielder, just with limits on his range and arm strength) - but he could play elsewhere. He's the kind of player they seem to like and have success with.
Good luck to The Riot. Except when you're playing the Cubs, of course...
*****
Good luck to The Riot. Except when you're playing the Cubs, of course...
*****
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