Riggleman Takes Blame for Overuse of Kerry Wood

ESPN's Chicago Cubs Blog reports about former Cubs' manager Jim Riggleman taking blame for former Cubs' pitcher Kerry Wood's injury laden career.  Here's a quote from the article -

"A 20-year-old rookie in 1998, Wood struck out 233 batters in 166 2/3 innings. He had nine starts in which he threw at least 120 pitches. Arm problems plagued Wood in 1999 and thoughout much of his career.
Wood, now the Cleveland Indians' closer, told Chicago Now that Riggleman is not to blame for his injuries.
"Wow, I hadn't heard his comments, and I really don't agree with that," Wood told Chicago Now. "Look, I had bad mechanics back then and it was very hard for me to try to correct them when what I was doing was working. I remember many times thinking that I wish Jim would leave me in the game because I still felt strong."

The article went on to quote Riggleman:

"I love that guy, and I feel terrible about what happened to him," Riggleman said on "The Scott Van Pelt Show" on ESPN Radio. "I feel I was part of it. I was responsible for the ballclub. When any of your pitchers get hurt you feel terrible about it. He's just such a man and a stand-up guy that he's not putting it on me or anyone else.

"We threw him in a situation where we were in a pennant race with a chance to win, and he was dominant. We let him pitch and the next thing you know next year he breaks down. It was ligament damage that who knows, maybe it would have happened anyway but if we took the more conservative route it would be a little easier for me to look in the mirror about it then it is when you just pitch him to win."

Rich Hill is now in the Cardinals' organization

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed former Cub starting pitcher Rich Hill to a minor league contract.  Hill will also be invited to the Cardinals' spring training. 

Hill will reportedly be vying for the fifth starter job or a long relief spot in the bullpen.  According to St. Louis Cardinals' pitching coach Dave Duncan, Hill's arm had "life".  Hill, who turns 30 in March, had shoulder surgery last August, after spending more than a year struggling with his command.  It was his loss of command that ended his tenure with the Cubs.

The Cardinals are hoping that Hill can find his lost control and return to the dominant pitcher he had been for the Cubs.  I wish Rich Hill all the success in the world, except when playing the Cubs.

Ten Best Cub Draft Picks in History

Here's a link to an interesting list of the Top Ten Best Cubs' Draft Picks.  Includes some of the current players and one 300 game winner that recently joined the front office.  Enjoy!  - http://mlb.sportsnewsandscores.com/baseball/the-10-best-draft-picks-in-chicago-cubs-history.html

Former Cub minor leaguer Jonathan Wyatt sings with Joliet JackHammers

From oursportscentral.com -

The Joliet JackHammers have signed switch hitting outfielder Jonathan Wyatt for the 2010 season after he spent the last three seasons in the Chicago Cubs organization. The Orange Crush's home opener is scheduled for May 28th versus the Lake County Fielders, a 2010 Northern League expansion team.
"Jonathan is a tremendous pick-up for us. He has the ability to play all three outfield positions and hit in the top of the line-up as a left-handed bat," said JackHammers Field Manager Chad Parker. "Most importantly, Jonathan has great character that will enhance the atmosphere of our clubhouse."
Wyatt, a 25-year-old outfielder, was the 13th round pick in the 2007 MLB Amateur Draft for the Chicago Cubs. This came after two College World Series appearances with the University of Georgia. As a Bulldog, Wyatt earned national recognition as the Rawlings Gold Glove Winner in 2007 for his outstanding defense.
Wyatt went on to play three seasons in the Cubs organization with his best year coming in 2007. The outfielder hit.306 with four homeruns and 41 RBIs for Boise. In 2008, he split the year between the Daytona Cubs and Peoria Chiefs before spending all of 2009 in the Florida State League with Daytona.

Former Cub Jacque Jones back with the Twins

Former Cub Jacque Jones has returned home.  After not playing a major league game since June 2008 with the Florida Marlins, Jones has signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins. 

Jones began his career with the Twins in 1999 before signing with the Cubs in 2006. 

Jones played last season in the independent Atlantic Leauge for the Newark Bears and told the Twins at their winter meetings that he was interested in reviving his career and willing to go to Triple-A if necessary.

Good luck, Jacque.  Hope you make it back to the bigs real soon.

Chicago Cubs All Time Starting Rotation

An interesting article about the greatest Cubs pitchers of all time.  Goes all the way back before the Cubs were even called the Cubs.  Here's the link - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/340861-the-chicago-cubs-all-time-starting-rotation

Former Cub Kevin Gregg a Blue Jay?

Reports are that Kevin Gregg has signed a one year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.  Gregg started off last year as the Cubs' closer, only to lose the job to Carlos Marmol before season end.  Gregg was 5-6 with a 4.72 ERA and 23 saves in 72 appearances with the Cubs last season

Gregg is reportedly receiving a guaranteed salary of $2.75 million but could net more than $8 million over 2 years or $12 million over 3 years. 

If Gregg can command money like that, Carlos Marmol's chances of getting more via arbitration had of just went up. 

Cubs in World War II

Here's the link to an interesting blog about the Major League players who served during World War II.  This is the post regarding the Cubs players in World War II.

http://baseballinwartime.blogspot.com/2010/01/chicago-cubs-players-in-service-during.html

Pretty interesting.

Former Cub Aaron Miles headed back to the NL Central

Former Cub Aaron Miles is heading to Cincinnati along with a player to be named later.  In exchange, the Oakland A's are receiving outfielder Willy Taveras and utility man Adam Rosales.

Miles played in just 74 games for the Cubs last year, who traded him to the A's at the end of the season.  Miles' limited appearances were primarily to due to injuries to his throwing shoulder and elbow.

Miles is a career .282 hitter, having played for the Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals and Cubs. In 2008, he hit a career-high .317 in 134 games.

Miles was a member of the Cardinals' 2006 World Series championship club.  A true utility man, Miles has played every defensive position except first base and catcher.  Miles has even made three appearances as a pitcher.

Reed Johnson ...

is officially a Dodger now.  Good luck, Reed.  And thanks for your time as part of the Cubs.

Former Cub Jim Edmonds signs with Brewers

The Cubs former centerfielder Jim Edmonds has signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, who have invited Edmonds to spring training.

Jim Edmonds did not play last season but played part of 2008 with the Cubs and the rest with the Padres.  He batted a combined .235 with a .343 on-base percentage, 20 home runs and 55 RBI over 111 games two seasons ago.

In 1,925 career games, the 39-year-old Edmonds holds a .284 average with a .377 OBP, 382 homers and 1,176 RBI. In 16 seasons, he has played with the Angels, St. Louis, the Padres and Cubs.