Dusty Says

Dempster locked up, three more years

Carlos — Sat, 01 Oct 2005 20:55:18 +0000

“It’s a big day for me in my career to get some security like that,” Dempster said. “It’s definitely a little surreal.”
–Redster.

Chicago Cubs closer Ryan Dempster agreed Saturday to a $15.5 million, three-year contract extension through the 2008 season.

“Obviously, it’s been one of those things that you’re really happy about,” Dempster said. “It shows a lot of respect for me and I have a lot of respect for the way they’ve handled me. I’m glad to be here for three more years. Hopefully, I can help them reach their goals and get to the World Series.”

One can dream.

Game reviewer needed

Carlos — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 20:58:20 +0000

This weblog does consume some time, and now that I’m pretty busy all week, I’m in need of a game reviewer for the rest of the season; someone that can post 2-3 times a week about whatever is happening in baseball and, of course, news about the Cubs.

If you can do that, you will be registered in the server with full powers; most of the posts (game reviews, previews, etc) are already coded. Thus, you will need to change the pitchers in turn and the date. Easy as that.

Just leave a comment below if you’re interested. Please be.

Paging Korey Patterson

Carlos — Sat, 10 Sep 2005 07:37:58 +0000

This weblog has a great article on Korey Patterson that you should read. Now, I’m not encouraging hatred or such feelings; it’s just a good view of what Korey’s career might end up like.

Let’s hope he turns it around.

Sorry for the lack of posts.

Rookied up

Carlos — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 06:45:25 +0000

A bunch of rookies playing. That’s how the Cubs looked like tonight, and they got the win. Don’t get me wrong, a bunch of rookies in a good way!

Matt Murton had a pair of infield singles, he stole a base and Ronny Cedeno added another two hits and SB as the Cubs edged the Dodgers 6-3, tonight. Henry Blanco hit a two out, two run single against Brad Penny in the sixth inning to put the score 5-3.

The team actually looked great tonight, and it was a satisfying win over the pesky Dodger team. Why do I say that? Because even if their lineup isn’t looking overpowering, threatening or at least decent, they do put on a good show for their fanatics (a couple of which were behind homeplate trying to distract Prior.); Mark, however, won the decision and put his record at 10-5.

Scott McClain hit a pinch-hit double, his career first, when he entered the game for Roberto Novoa… shiver.

Matt Murton (left) meets Jeromy Burnitz after scoring on Henry Blanco’s hit. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

Meaning

Carlos — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 23:29:43 +0000

Game Preview for August the Thirtieth
GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (60-71) at Chicago Cubs (62-69.).

Broadcast:
WGN; national coverage

Lineups:

Not yet

Pitchers

The Dodgers will send Brad Penny to the mound; he’s 1-2 with a 4.24 ERA in five starts this month.

Mark Prior will open for the Cubs tonight. The righthander is 2-0 with a 1.85 ERA lifetime against the Dodgers.

Game notes and streaks

Think the Cubs have injuries? The Dodgers have eight players on the DL // SS Neifi! Perez is a mighty 3/18 against P Brad Penny.

Hollandsworth to Atlanta Braves

Carlos — Tue, 30 Aug 2005 06:03:22 +0000

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs traded outfielder Todd Hollandsworth to the Atlanta Braves on Monday night for minor-league pitchers Todd Blackford and Angelo Burrows.

Hollandsworth will give the Braves a left-handed bat and a reserve outfielder during the rest of the season. He is a career .299 pinch-hitter.

“Holly gets a chance to go to one of the finer organizations in the game, a contending club and a club he’s performed well against,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. “John Schuerholtz and Bobby Cox felt like as well as they are going, they could use a veteran who can pinch hit off the bench, which Holly has done well.”

Hollandsworth started in left field in the Cubs’ 9-6 loss to Los Angeles on Monday night and went 0-for-3 before he was removed. He has a .254 batting average but is in a 9-for-54 slump over his last 28 games.

“It didn’t work the way we all would have liked for Holly this year. But it was never out of lack of effort by him,” Hendry said. “He gave us a heck of a first 40 percent last year and never got back on the field after the injury.”

The Cubs will recall Matt Murton from the minors to take Hollandsworth’s spot and call up right-hander Jermaine Van Buren to replace Kerry Wood, who is scheduled for season-ending shoulder surgery Wednesday.

Hollandsworth played in 107 games for the Cubs this season after joining them a year ago. He played in only 57 games in 2004, batting .318. His season was cut short in late June when he fouled a ball off his shin and did not return.

The NL Rookie of the Year in 1996 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Hollandsworth has also played for the Colorado, Texas and Florida — when the Marlins won the World Series in 2003. He went 3-for-3 against the Cubs in the NLCS that season.

Blackford, 20, is in his second professional season, a 13th-round selection by Atlanta in the 2004 amateur draft. He is 6-5 with a 4.60 ERA in 27 minor-league games.

Burrows, 25, was selected by the Braves in the ninth round of the 1999 amateur draft. He is 4-3 with a 3.32 ERA in 30 relief appearances this season in Class A. A former outfielder, he was converted to a pitcher last season.