The Chicago Tribune reports that "Matt Murton will get his chance to become the regular left fielder, but if he doesn't produce in the next two weeks, the Cubs may look elsewhere for the stretch run." Also, "Murton will play against left-handers, with Todd Hollandsworth starting against right-handers."

Combined, these two statements don't make sense. How does one get a chance to be the everyday leftfielder by playing once or twice a week against lefthanded pitching, and that for only two weeks?

Moreover, the Trib further reports that "[Dusty] Baker said he wouldn't rush unproven players into a regular's role for fear he may shake their confidence if they don't have immediate success." Murton may get a chance, but it won't be until 2007.

Has anyone figured out why the Cubs called up Ronny Cedeno yet?

Corey Patterson and Jason Dubois played their first games for Iowa tonight after their recent demotion. Patterson went 1-4 in Iowa's 7-4 win, with a home run -- as it happens, a solo home run -- and 2 strikeouts. Dubois went 3-4 with a double.

I don't know how I missed this yesterday - lost in an off-day fog, I guess - but Preston Wilson is officially a National. Unlike Zach Day, Cubs fans everywhere can breathe a huge sigh of relief, as it's been long rumored that GM Jim Hendry was pursuing Wilson as well.

As I zipped thru the 1994 All-Star Game that was on ESPN Classics the other night, I noticed an interesting at bat.

Lee Smith pitching to Fred McGriff, who hits a home run over the head of Kenny Lofton.

That All Star team had a bunch of former/future/current Cubs playing in it.

Here's who I recognized with a Cubs connection. Did I miss anyone?

Greg Maddux
Lee Smith
Fred McGriff
Kenny Lofton
Jason Bere
Moises Alou
Rod Beck
Randy Myers

Dusty Baker
Don Baylor

1994 All-Star Game roster
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/asgbox/y...

Let me know if you find an All Star Game with more than 10 Cubs connections.

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More Cubs trivia

Walker, Maddux, Hollandsworth booksigning events

I've been following the Ronnie Woo Woo story, and some things aren't making sense to me. Perhaps someone can fill in the details or gaps in my memory.

For instance, one article states that he has a stepson, another says he isn't married, another says his wife reported him missing last month.
Can all these statements be true?

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Old articles:

Chicago Reader
May 31, 1985
Ronnie Wickers Woo !
http://www.ronniewoowoo.com/reader.htm

New York Times
May 28, 1987

Cubs Get Their Fan

CHICAGO, May 28 (AP)- Ronnie (Woo-Woo!) Wickers said tonight that he is just like his beloved Chicago Cubs: alive and well.

After 17 years of not missing a Cubs home game, Wickers- a 45 year-old street person who held only odd jobs-hadn’t been seen through 21 games this season.