Chicago Cubs

The Cubs organization will never use the term in front of Cubs fans for fear of backlash, but the Cubs are in a rebuilding process. 

Sure, if they can win while they do it all the better, which is why we saw Jim Hendry take a flier on a veteran like Carlos Pena instead of moving Tyler Colvin to first base. But since contending in 2011 seems unlikely, I have a suggestion for Hendry: 

The Cubs have suffered some disappointing seasons lately. I'm not sarcastically commenting on the last 100 years; rather, I am talking about the problems they have had since 2003. They were 5 outs away from the World Series, and they have not neared that feat since. I'm not going wallow in pity, especially now that Carlos Pena is on the way. He has been a leader for the Rays, a previously horrible franchise, and helped in their run to the World Series 2 years ago.

You don't need to tell Chicago Cubs fans how long it's been since they won the World Series. The 2010 season was another forgettable summer for the Cubs, but there are players available that can help them improve for 2011.

One of those players is Carlos Pena, who the Cubs signed on Tuesday. The Cubs need more power in their lineup and a better infield defense, and Pena will help them in both areas.

It's official: The Chicago Cubs have signed left-handed first baseman Carlos Pena to a one-year, $10 million deal, something that will likely make a lot of Cubs fans happy and confused at the same time.

While this certainly isn't a long-term fix, considering that Pena is 33, the Cubs could really benefit from his services for the year.

May 31, 2004

An Interview with Ron Santo—The Cubs' No. 1 Fan

This is the first interview I ever had the privilege of doing, and it happened to be with a childhood hero. I can't tell you the thrill I had sitting in the radio booth with Chicago Cub great Ron Santo overlooking Wrigley Field. I thought with his passing, that fans of his and the Cubs would enjoy getting into his head a little bit.

Ryne Sandberg was a second baseman for the Chicago Cubs and briefly the Philadelphia Phillies. Sandberg now manages a Phillies minor league team, the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame 2005 class.

Growing up in the Chicago area, Cubs baseball is more than just a game. It is a lifestyle. 

There is a dedication behind being a Cubs fan that very few teams possess; not only in baseball but in all of sports.

For years, Ron Santo sat by his phone and waited. He waited for the Hall to call. But it never did.

Chicago Cubs icon Ron Santo has passed away due to complications in his struggle against bladder cancer, according to WGN Radio.

Santo was a great third baseman for the Cubs from 1960 to 1973 and later became part of the Cubs radio team in 1990.

Regarded as one of the best players to never earn induction into the MLB Hall of Fame, Santo was a nine time All-Star in his 15 major league seasons.

It is with a heavy heart that the Cubs announced today the death of famed player and announcer Ron Santo.

The iconic third baseman played for the Chicago Cubs for thirteen of his fourteen MLB seasons (1960-1973), during which time he was a nine time All-Star selection, a five time Golden Glove winner and the recipient of the 1973 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award.

Ron Santo also had his number, No. 10, retired in September of 2003.