Fan News

Theodore Roosevelt Lilly III.

That about sums up Opening Day 2009 at Wrigley Field.

Rain delayed the start of today’s game for an hour and 12 minutes, but couldn’t put on a damper on the Cubs home opener or the mood of the 40,077 fans that showed up to spite it.

Ted Lilly walked catcher Chris Iannetta in the third inning and didn’t allow another Rockie to reach base until Garrett Atkins singled with two outs in the seventh to end the no-hit bid.

I would have written this article earlier if I had not heard the sad news. Sad news everyone. The legendary, Hall of Fame broadcaster, Harry Kalas; THE voice of the Phillies has passed away.

Mr. Kalas was found unconscious in the broadcasting booth prior to the beginning of the Washington Nationals- Philadelphia Phillies game this afternoon, April 13. It seems fitting for some reason that Mr. Kalas would “go” in the booth. It just seems fitting.

One more for good luck.

American League MVP

1) Grady Sizemore, OF - Cleveland
2) Alex Rodriguez, 3B - New York
3) Josh Hamilton, OF - Texas
4) Matt Holliday, OF - Oakland
5) Carlos Quentin, OF - Chicago
6) Dustin Pedroia, 2B - Boston
7) Mark Teixeira, 1B - New York
8) Kevin Youkilis, 1B - Boston
9) Justin Morneau, 1B - Minnesota
10) Ian Kinsler, 2B - Texas

National League MVP

Come see me.

National League East (predicted order of finish and records)

It's about that time again.

American League East (predicted order of finish and records)

A crowd of 40,077 braved the cold, wet conditions at Wrigley this afternoon to watch Ted Lilly pitch a gem of a ball game. Lilly took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before Garrett Atkins singled to left field. 

Angel Guzman came in to finish up the seventh, while Aaron Heilman and Kevin Gregg took care of the eighth and ninth innings, respectively.

The Cubs moved into a momentary first place tie with the St. Louis Cardinals, who play later tonight in Arizona.

The New York Mets will open their new stadium, Citi Field, tonight at 7:10 p.m. EST when they host the San Diego Padres. The festivities will begin with Tom Seaver throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to Mike Piazza, and the Broadway cast of "West Side Story" will sing the national anthem.

Here are your lineups for today's opening game of a three-game series with the defending AL champs, the Tampa Bay Rays, and the New York Yankees.

Sad news in the world of sports media as Harry Kalas passed away today at the age of 73. Kalas passed out in the broadcast booth of Washington's Nationals Park earlier today while preparing for this afternoon's Phillies-Nats game.

From the AP: