I love reading "where are they now" stories regarding former Chicago Cubs players.

Here is a recent article regarding Cubs pitcher Glen Hobbie:

Quote from article:

Read entire article here

Related link:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hobbigl01.shtml

Our condolences to the family, friends and fans of St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock, 29, who was killed in a car accident Sunday morning on I-64 in St. Louis.

Cardinals, baseball mourn passing of pitcher Hancock
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/mlb/news/tributes/obit_josh_hancock.jsp?c_id=stl

Fox Sports Midwest video regarding Josh Hancock
http://msn.foxsports.com/regional/midwest?workingCategory=277

04/29/2007 6:50 PM ET
Cubs saddened by loss of Hancock
Marquis spoke to former teammate on Saturday

Google news: "Josh Hancock"

According to the Wrigley Field press pass, the Cubs were 8-2 vs the World Series Champion Cardinals at Wrigley Field last year.

It seems to me that what the Cubs need are special sunglasses that make every team look like the Cardinals to them.

BTW, since 1892, the Cubs are 467-412 vs the Cards at Wrigley Field.

Check out this page for some interesting info regarding the home team advantage at Wrigley Field.

http://www.cubsnet.com/node/1457

--------

Chicago Cubs fans, Wrigley Field request list

TV listings for Cubs fans April - May 2007

In a very thought provoking article in today's Sun-Times, staff reporter Gordon Wittenmeyer notes that all the money spent has not created a cohesive team form either the offensive or defensive perspective. See: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/360635,CST-SPT-gordo27.article

One question I have is whether there should not be an even bolder change in the field. Why not put Alfonso Soriano back into a second-baseman role? That could give Cliff Floyd playing time, keep Pie around, and let Murton fight it out with Jones and Derosa for right. Keep Theriot playing as long as he is hitting. Izturis and Jones could be traded, for that matter.

Just a thought. Soriano might feel relieved to be back at second and start hitting.

For some reason, we Cubs fans feel that it is our duty to share our ideas with the Cubs management on how to run their ballclub, ballpark, etc. Even our Governor shares this sense of duty. Go figure.

Anyway, here are my ideas. Feel free to reply with your suggestions too.

Now that Mark Prior is out for the year following shoulder surgery, it will be interesting to see when we hear the first mention of his returning as a reliever. He's certainly spent enough time in "bullpen sessions" to get used to the idea.

The Cubs have starting pitchers hitting better than shortstops Cesar Izturis and Ronny Cedeno. Lou Piniella has apparently had enough. Ryan Theriot is today's starter at short.

Carlos Gomez looks at changes in Mark Prior's mechanics, with video, from 2001 to 2004 to 2007, at The Hardball Times. It's an interesting study. Gomez comes up with a specific suggestion for Prior.

Great Story about Cap Anson and the Color-lines

http://www.nj.com/sports/times/index.ssf?/base/sports-3/1176609992170630.xml&coll=5

The Cubs have outscored their opponents 58-50 this season, but are only 5-8. That is because, after yesterday's 4-3, 14 inning loss to the San Diego Padres, the Cubs are 0-5 in games decided by 1 or 2 runs.

What really made yesterday's game exciting was a glimpse of the future, Felix Pie. Though just 1-for-6 (and though he saw just 20 pitches in those 6 at-bats), the one hit was a line drive into the left-center gap for a run scoring double. The electricity came in the top of the 10th, though, when he threw a no-hop rope to cut down Russell Branyan at the plate, keeping the game tied. I originally heard the play on the radio. Pat and Ron were resolved that the hit was going to lead to a run. Then Pat's voice level rose. Then the crowd erupted. That jolt of energy obviated any need for some additional afternoon coffee. After seeing the replay on MLB.TV later last night, it was impressive to note how quickly Pie closed on the ball before he picked it up.

The Cubs don't have a home run out of their outfield or their first baseman yet, and as a result, they have an ISO of .101, which is now 15th in the National League, ahead of only the San Francisco Giants, who sit at .094. The league average is .137. Florida leads the NL at .199.

A few other numbers after 11 games:

The Wall Street Journal has a Page One article (Adam Thompson, "Baseball Makes Its Pitch to China," 4/16/2007) on Major League Baseball's attempt to get baseball back in the Olympics for 2016 (and, no doubt, to make a buck or two): Get China interested in the sport.

BP's Nate Silver gives us an idea of how rare Michael Wuertz's performance against the Cincinnati Reds was on April 13, when Wuertz entered the game with no one out and the bases loaded and struck out the next three hitters: "This trifecta has happened only 27 times since 1960, making it about four times rarer than a no-hitter (there have been 117 no-nos since 1960), or hitting for the cycle (124)." Only Stan Belinda has accomplished the feat twice since 1960.

Aramis Ramirez is unavailable for today's game against the Reds because of a swollen right wrist. He was evaluated today, but we don't know the diagnosis yet.