From the Chicago Tribune: "As recently as Sunday, Stone planned to call just 13 Friday Sox home games, serve as a three-days-a-week baseball analyst for WSCR-AM 670 and perhaps continue his postseason work for TBS. Then Sox vice president Brooks Boyer called to ask if he wanted a roster spot on the Sox broadcast team. Within 36 hours, the one-year contract was done."

(Hat tip: Baseball Primer.)

He's calling games for the wrong Chicago team. How did it come to this? Wrigleyville23 blames Dusty.

In the wake of the Mark Buehrle fiasco, Cubs GM Jim Hendry really should consider making all the trades with White Sox GM Kenny Williams that he can. Williams showed, one again, that he has problems making difficult decisions.

Last year I said that Neil Cotts was going to bring a lot of value to the Cubbies, and that the trade that sent David Aardsma to the White Sox in return was not a bad deal. As of now, having witnessed yesterday's two pitch debacle by Cotts, in which he gave up a bases loaded home-run to A.J. Pierzynski, I eat my words. (Aardsma of course is doing great for the South Siders.)

I wondered about Lou Piniella's judgment when Cotts was called in to relieve Zambrano, given that this was a high tension moment and Cotts might not relish it. Then when I realized he was facing A.J., the one guy on the White Sox who probably understands his pitching better than anyone, I got really scared.

More indications that Felix Pie has a good chance of leaving spring training this year as the Cubs' starting center fielder. (See also "Is Pie the Man in Center?") MLB.com reports:

The Cubs will have their first full-squad workout in one month. Hendry isn't finished yet.

"In a perfect world, I'd like to tinker with the outfield," Hendry said. "We have a very solid group. We're counting on our young kid, Felix Pie, being a factor, whether it's Opening Day or down the road shortly after. When you get out your wish list, you can't make it all about buying new players. You want to have your own guys develop, too."

Additionally, Player Development Director Oneri Fleita says that Pie "will be given a chance to come in and have some fun. Let's see what happens."

It appears that the Cubs will not expect Pie to hit much. MLB.com also quotes Fleita as saying, "In this lineup, we don't need him to hit, we need his defense."

OK, someone's going to have to explain this one: "The Cubs acquired left-handed reliever Neal Cotts from the Chicago White Sox on Thursday in exchange for relief pitcher David Aardsma and minor-league pitcher Carlos Vasquez," reports the AP. Cotts was very good in 2005, but hasn't been much to write home about either before or since. Aardsma was the better pitcher in 2006 (3 RAA v. -2 RAA). And he's likely to be the better pitcher going forward.

Regina at the Woman's Eye on Sports blog points out the the official White Sox website has posted the Grinder Ball Rules - 2006.

I don't know the history of this phrase, but the link offered some interesting reading. Enjoy!

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Photos from Ryne Sandberg Day at Wrigley Field

Meet Ronnie the Collie

Former Chicago Cub Ross Gload is taking advantage of his opportunity, in a limited role, with the White Sox this season, reports the Chicago Tribune's Mark Gonzales: