I've always been a fan of Lieber since his days as a Cub. I'm not expecting a whole lot out of him but I think he can add a TON of depth to the pitching staff!!
CHICAGO (AP) -- Jon Lieber, a 20-game winner for the Chicago Cubs in 2001, rejoined the team Wednesday by agreeing to a $3.5 million, one-year contract.
Lieber, who spent the previous three seasons in Philadelphia and underwent surgery for a ruptured tendon in his foot last year, will compete for a spot in Chicago's rotation when the Cubs report to spring training next month. He can earn performance bonuses based on games started and innings pitched.
"He gives us some depth. There is no sense playing mix and match and who's going to be this and what role somebody is going to have," general manager Jim Hendry said. "We're just trying to add as many quality pitchers and we think he adds a lot still to our club."
The 37-year-old Lieber was disappointed when the Phillies initially assigned him to the bullpen at the start of last season. But he said Wednesday he'll be willing to accept any role in his return to the Cubs.
"I'll do whatever it takes to help the Chicago Cubs win and if that's pitching out of the bullpen, so be it," he said.
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Lieber had elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2002 -- the final year of his first stint with the Cubs -- and was bothered by a groin problem with the Phillies in 2006. Last year, his season ended on June 20 because of the foot injury.
Now, he says he's healthy and ready to pitch. He said he completed his lengthy rehab in early October.
"Everything is fine and I've been cleared to do my normal routine since then and had no problems," Lieber said.
The Cubs' rotation already includes Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis, Rich Hill and Sean Marshall. Former closer Ryan Dempster also is going to get a shot at starting.
"We're going to have probably seven or eight starters in camp and that's the right number," manager Lou Piniella said Wednesday during a stop on the team's winter tour. "Lieber competes very well, knows how to pitch. Let's hope he's nice and healthy and ready to go. If he is, he will help us."
Hendry said the Cubs will be busy during the weeks leading up to the start of spring training on Feb. 13 in Mesa, Ariz. Chicago won the NL Central last season before getting swept by Arizona in the first round of the playoffs.
Hendry wouldn't specifically address reports that the Cubs have talked to the Baltimore Orioles about acquiring second baseman Brian Roberts.
"I don't get into other teams' players," Hendry said. "We're going to try to be really aggressive the next three or four weeks before camp and try to come up with somebody else who can help us before we get there. ... We're going to try to stay on top of it."
The Cubs have already added Japanese star Kosuke Fukudome to be their right fielder, and reports said they also were interested in second baseman Kaz Matsui, who signed with Houston.
Mark DeRosa, who displayed his versatility by playing several positions last season but was primarily a second baseman, is back.
Piniella was perfectly happy with DeRosa's performance, which included a .293 batting average with 10 homers and 72 RBIs in 149 games.
"I know when we signed him we talked about moving him around a little bit, but let me tell you, if we went to camp just the way we are with Mark at second base, it's fine with me," Piniella said.
Lieber is 129-121 with a 4.28 ERA in 375 major league appearances, including 326 starts. He was 48-36 with the Cubs from 1999-2002, including 20-6 with a 3.80 ERA in 2001 when he made the NL All-Star team. He has also been especially effective at Wrigley Field, with a 29-18 record.
Lieber also pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees. After missing the 2003 season while recovering from elbow surgery, he went 14-8 with a 4.33 ERA in 2004 with the Yankees. He was 17-13 with a 4.20 ERA in 2005, his first season with Philadelphia.
Right now I'm working for Geek Squad on North Ave.. I hate my job. If I have to hear another idiot have a nervous breakdown because their hard drive crashed and they lost four years of college work.. I'm just going to drink more alcohol after work. lol.
You hiring Speedy???
I know this is off topic, but I know someone who works at the Bestbuy on north. He's a douche. I told his girlfriend to get over herself.. Annoying ass people!
But, on a good note, thats my Bestbuy! I shop at whole foods there every week. I've probably run into you and didnt know it. weird.
Okay back on topic. I can't wait to find out what games we get to go to this season. My husband's boss has friends that have awesome season ticket seats and they can't use a ton of tickets, so we get second pick at them. They were good for 6 pairs last year
Looking forward to this year. Hopefully they can repeat as division champs. Cubs made moves, but still not enough. I think they need a solid number 2 pitcher although there really isn't one out there and the price will be waaay too high. Lily was great last year but I can't see him doing that good this year. He will be decent but not 15 - 8. Good thing is no one else in the division made a huge splash. Not sure if the Roberts deal will happen but I'd really like the lineup if he was added, mainly cause Soriano would finally get the F out of the leadoff spot.
Still pissed about raising tickets 16% although I was expecting it. I'll probably cut back to 6 - 8 games this year (opening day, Cards, Sox, and maybe one or two others). Sorry but I don't think a FLA, WSH, or PIT game should be a PRIME ticket game just cause it's a summer game. That's bullshit. I'll prime Prime ticket pricing for Opening Day, Sox and Cards, but not FLA, WSH or PIT.
Speaking of tickets, anyone know when they go on sale. I'm assuming either Feb. 15th or 22nd. Either way I've got both days off so I'll be ready to crack my Old Style at 9:30 and sit on the computer!!
Alpine Valley 6/26/98, Alpine Valley 10/8/00, Champaign 4/23/03, Chicago 6/18/03, Alpine Valley 6/21/03, Grand Rapids 10/3/04
Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, Grand Rapids 5/19/06
Milwaukee 6/29/06, Milwaukee 6/30/06, Lollapalooza 8/5/07
Eddie Solo Milwaukee 8/19/08, Toronto 8/21/09, Chicago 8/23/09
Chicago 8/24/09, Indianapolis 5/7/10, Ed Chicago 6/29/11, Alpine Valley 9/3/11 and 9/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Moline 10/18/14, Milwaukee 10/20/14
Speaking of tickets, anyone know when they go on sale. I'm assuming either Feb. 15th or 22nd. Either way I've got both days off so I'll be ready to crack my Old Style at 9:30 and sit on the computer!!
Hell yeah!
Since moving out to AZ, there are only a few places that carry Old Style. When spring training comes along, I stock up and hit up as many games as possible!
It's great! You can sit in the lawn (outfield) for $6! Hell yeah! Can't wait!
i'm a white sox fan and it's easy to see the cubs are easily the class of their division...and possibily the NL.
that said...
i've kinda grown tired of all the cub fans under 30 who keep up with the whole, 'i'm a suffering cub fan' routine. i just wish they'd have some respect for the fans who were in the bleachers in the 70's and early 80's (when the white sox were out drawing the cub fans).
i'm 33 and i'll admit it, i fought back tears when the white sox won...
...but during the whole deal i always tried to remember the fans who were in their 60's, 70's and 80's and tried to set aside some good feelings for them.
just remember, young cub fans, there were many who suffered longer than you.
truly...i hope none of you have to suffer anymore after this year (as i've gotten the monkey off my back in '05), but...and if it all happens...my advice is to not be so self-indulgent...
remember those who've suffered for many more years.
if you look at it that way...the whole ride will be much sweeter.
i'm a white sox fan and it's easy to see the cubs are easily the class of their division...and possibily the NL.
that said...
i've kinda grown tired of all the cub fans under 30 who keep up with the whole, 'i'm a suffering cub fan' routine. i just wish they'd have some respect for the fans who were in the bleachers in the 70's and early 80's (when the white sox were out drawing the cub fans).
i'm 33 and i'll admit it, i fought back tears when the white sox won...
...but during the whole deal i always tried to remember the fans who were in their 60's, 70's and 80's and tried to set aside some good feelings for them.
just remember, young cub fans, there were many who suffered longer than you.
truly...i hope none of you have to suffer anymore after this year (as i've gotten the monkey off my back in '05), but...and if it all happens...my advice is to not be so self-indulgent...
remember those who've suffered for many more years.
if you look at it that way...the whole ride will be much sweeter.
good luck this year.
Thanks for your kind words.
My grandpa, who died last week (in his mid 70s) was perhaps the biggest Cubs fan of them all...including myself. Knowing that he never had the opportunity to see a Cubs World Series really upsets me. When a team that hasn't "won it" in so many years, it's bound to happen but it just pains me that he didn't have the opportunity to see it happen.
Yeah, there are a lot of "fairweather fans" and bandwagon Cub fans (as there are Sox fans...and yes, I know not as many...) but there are also hundreds of thousands that are true diehards that care nothing more to see the boys in blue win it all.
but there are also hundreds of thousands that are true diehards that care nothing more to see the boys in blue win it all.
Go Cubbies!
i know this...and try to remind my other friends who are cub fans about this as often as possible.
most of the time, it ends up in a cub/sox thing...
but that's not my intention...at least, it isn't after the sox won.
my grandmother is 88...would be nice to see it happen for her.
there's no reason it shouldn't this year. everything is lining up great for the cubs division and league wise.
i know this...and try to remind my other friends who are cub fans about this as often as possible.
most of the time, it ends up in a cub/sox thing...
but that's not my intention...at least, it isn't after the sox won.
my grandmother is 88...would be nice to see it happen for her.
there's no reason it shouldn't this year. everything is lining up great for the cubs division and league wise.
I'd love to see it happen. I still think even though they completely collapsed last year, which was wonderful to see, that the Mets will be tough. Also in the division I think the Brewers are gonna be tough again, but hopefully not tough enough, as I live in Milwaukee and will never hear the end of it. I'll have tickets for the last three games of the year in Milwaukee and if comes down to that it will be crazy.
Yes, bandwagon fan sucks, regardless of what team you root for unfortunately with sucsess comes bandwagon fans.
Alpine Valley 6/26/98, Alpine Valley 10/8/00, Champaign 4/23/03, Chicago 6/18/03, Alpine Valley 6/21/03, Grand Rapids 10/3/04
Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, Grand Rapids 5/19/06
Milwaukee 6/29/06, Milwaukee 6/30/06, Lollapalooza 8/5/07
Eddie Solo Milwaukee 8/19/08, Toronto 8/21/09, Chicago 8/23/09
Chicago 8/24/09, Indianapolis 5/7/10, Ed Chicago 6/29/11, Alpine Valley 9/3/11 and 9/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Moline 10/18/14, Milwaukee 10/20/14
Just got an email today since I'm on the Season Waiting List at first opportunity at a 9 game pack. Apparently this will be offered to the public on Jan. 28th. It's a nice offer, however living an hour and a half away it's not worth it for me as it's all games during the week. If you could choose your 9 games that would be great, but this is what I was expecting. Can't wait till single game tickets go on sale.
Alpine Valley 6/26/98, Alpine Valley 10/8/00, Champaign 4/23/03, Chicago 6/18/03, Alpine Valley 6/21/03, Grand Rapids 10/3/04
Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, Grand Rapids 5/19/06
Milwaukee 6/29/06, Milwaukee 6/30/06, Lollapalooza 8/5/07
Eddie Solo Milwaukee 8/19/08, Toronto 8/21/09, Chicago 8/23/09
Chicago 8/24/09, Indianapolis 5/7/10, Ed Chicago 6/29/11, Alpine Valley 9/3/11 and 9/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Moline 10/18/14, Milwaukee 10/20/14
I'm not 100% sure, but I'm fairly confident I saw Carlos Zambrano at the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction tonight in Scottsdale, AZ. If you guys don't know what that is, it's a HUGE classic car auto auction that is held every year where literally hundreds of millions (upwards of a billion dollars) are traded on cars every year. Needless to say, there are tons of rich fuckers and LOTS of celebrity types.
Anyways...this guy I'm almost certain was Z came right by me. If I had to bet on it, I would say it was him. He looked a bit scruffy, but had the credentials of a bigwig. Randy Johnson was there too.
I've always been a fan of Lieber since his days as a Cub. I'm not expecting a whole lot out of him but I think he can add a TON of depth to the pitching staff!!
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are you FUCKING kidding me?!?! jon leiber?!?!!? lieber SUCKS. speaking as a phillies fan, he is a fat, washed up, piece of shit who will get hurt by june and gladly keep the 3 or 4 million bucks your team foolishly gave him and put it into his truck. he's over the hill. nothing like the lieber who pitched for you years ago. trust me. this just shows how bad pitching is in baseball right now.
bottomline: mlb needs to contract. need to scale back 3-4 teams and distribute the talent across the league. its so watered down right now its pathetic. lieber to add depth?!?! if this was 1991 or something, he wouldnt be close to getting a spot in the majors.
are you FUCKING kidding me?!?! jon leiber?!?!!? lieber SUCKS. speaking as a phillies fan, he is a fat, washed up, piece of shit who will get hurt by june and gladly keep the 3 or 4 million bucks your team foolishly gave him and put it into his truck. he's over the hill. nothing like the lieber who pitched for you years ago. trust me. this just shows how bad pitching is in baseball right now.
bottomline: mlb needs to contract. need to scale back 3-4 teams and distribute the talent across the league. its so watered down right now its pathetic. lieber to add depth?!?! if this was 1991 or something, he wouldnt be close to getting a spot in the majors.
I think everyone in Chicago knows he isn't going to be as good as he was when he was a Cub before.
He most likely won't start and will come out of the pen (esp. in long relief) which is a huge hole the Cubs had.
Decent relief/utility pitchers are impossible to find right now...
I don't mind signing Lieber, its not really a risk, unless they do something stupid like trade away a young pitcher like Marshall. Just don't depend on Lieber at all, just like Wood last year. Then if he's healthy and he can contribute, great, he can bring some experience and veteran leadership. If he sucks or can't pitch, fuck'em let him ride the pine like the DL-Bros used to.
So, I've heard the BRob deal is dead, but I keep hearing that there's sparks. If he is traded to the Cubs, then I guess I'll be visiting this thread during the season
There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
So, I've heard the BRob deal is dead, but I keep hearing that there's sparks. If he is traded to the Cubs, then I guess I'll be visiting this thread during the season
The deal has changed so many times over the last month. It looked like at one point it was going to get done with the O's getting Matt Murton, Sean Marshall, Sean Gallagher and Ronny Cedeno, but the O's kept wanting to replace one of the pitchers with Rich Hill, or one of the position players with Pie or Colvin, and thats just way too much for the Cubs to give up (unless they throw in Bedard too but that ain't happening). I've love to have that guy at the top of the lineup setting the table for Lee Ramirez Soriano and Fukudome.
Want to know the Cubs' Opening Day lineup? Manager Lou Piniella is ready.
Piniella said Alfonso Soriano will lead off on March 31 when the Cubs play host to the Milwaukee Brewers, followed by Ryan Theriot, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Kosuke Fukudome, Mark DeRosa, Geovany Soto and Felix Pie. He also indicated Carlos Zambrano would start, although Zambrano hinted on Friday that he'd let lefty Ted Lilly have the honor because the right-hander is 0-3 in Opening Day starts.
I have a feeling though, either Sam Fuld will beat out Pie for CF, or the Cubs will acquire a veteran who will take over for Pie after a month or two. Don't get me wrong, I really hope the kid displays the potential he has.....but this is the Cubs we are talking about....when was the last time a position player came from the farm system and made the type of impact they expected from them.
Want to know the Cubs' Opening Day lineup? Manager Lou Piniella is ready.
Piniella said Alfonso Soriano will lead off on March 31 when the Cubs play host to the Milwaukee Brewers, followed by Ryan Theriot, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Kosuke Fukudome, Mark DeRosa, Geovany Soto and Felix Pie. He also indicated Carlos Zambrano would start, although Zambrano hinted on Friday that he'd let lefty Ted Lilly have the honor because the right-hander is 0-3 in Opening Day starts.
I have a feeling though, either Sam Fuld will beat out Pie for CF, or the Cubs will acquire a veteran who will take over for Pie after a month or two. Don't get me wrong, I really hope the kid displays the potential he has.....but this is the Cubs we are talking about....when was the last time a position player came from the farm system and made the type of impact they expected from them.
Is that true? Isn't that kinda fucked up that he has already made his decision before spring training?
Is that true? Isn't that kinda fucked up that he has already made his decision before spring training?
Is what true, the Zambrano part? I think Lou wants Lilly to start opening day, but he has to do this in a delicate way, because Los can be such a hot head. Lots of ego there.
Speaking of tickets, anyone know when they go on sale. I'm assuming either Feb. 15th or 22nd. Either way I've got both days off so I'll be ready to crack my Old Style at 9:30 and sit on the computer!!
Nice!!! GO CUBS, now that the Packers are eliminated. I know I'll get shit for that in this thread, but those are my teams, the Packers and the Cubs!!
Alpine Valley 6/26/98, Alpine Valley 10/8/00, Champaign 4/23/03, Chicago 6/18/03, Alpine Valley 6/21/03, Grand Rapids 10/3/04
Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, Grand Rapids 5/19/06
Milwaukee 6/29/06, Milwaukee 6/30/06, Lollapalooza 8/5/07
Eddie Solo Milwaukee 8/19/08, Toronto 8/21/09, Chicago 8/23/09
Chicago 8/24/09, Indianapolis 5/7/10, Ed Chicago 6/29/11, Alpine Valley 9/3/11 and 9/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Moline 10/18/14, Milwaukee 10/20/14
Alpine Valley 6/26/98, Alpine Valley 10/8/00, Champaign 4/23/03, Chicago 6/18/03, Alpine Valley 6/21/03, Grand Rapids 10/3/04
Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, Grand Rapids 5/19/06
Milwaukee 6/29/06, Milwaukee 6/30/06, Lollapalooza 8/5/07
Eddie Solo Milwaukee 8/19/08, Toronto 8/21/09, Chicago 8/23/09
Chicago 8/24/09, Indianapolis 5/7/10, Ed Chicago 6/29/11, Alpine Valley 9/3/11 and 9/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Moline 10/18/14, Milwaukee 10/20/14
Satana to the Mets, FUCK! Would have liked to see him stay in the AL. Mets are easily going to be the frontrunner in the NL.
Alpine Valley 6/26/98, Alpine Valley 10/8/00, Champaign 4/23/03, Chicago 6/18/03, Alpine Valley 6/21/03, Grand Rapids 10/3/04
Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, Grand Rapids 5/19/06
Milwaukee 6/29/06, Milwaukee 6/30/06, Lollapalooza 8/5/07
Eddie Solo Milwaukee 8/19/08, Toronto 8/21/09, Chicago 8/23/09
Chicago 8/24/09, Indianapolis 5/7/10, Ed Chicago 6/29/11, Alpine Valley 9/3/11 and 9/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Moline 10/18/14, Milwaukee 10/20/14
66 games on WGN while 80 are on CSN. Would love to see them go back to the days of all of them on WGN but I know that will never happen. I could have sworn it was 72 and 72 last year. Either way I'm getting MLB.TV this year to watch the games. I hate to say it but I think in the near future WGN won't have any games, but that's just me, hopefully not.
Alpine Valley 6/26/98, Alpine Valley 10/8/00, Champaign 4/23/03, Chicago 6/18/03, Alpine Valley 6/21/03, Grand Rapids 10/3/04
Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, Grand Rapids 5/19/06
Milwaukee 6/29/06, Milwaukee 6/30/06, Lollapalooza 8/5/07
Eddie Solo Milwaukee 8/19/08, Toronto 8/21/09, Chicago 8/23/09
Chicago 8/24/09, Indianapolis 5/7/10, Ed Chicago 6/29/11, Alpine Valley 9/3/11 and 9/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Moline 10/18/14, Milwaukee 10/20/14
Tickets go on sale Feb 22nd but it will be tougher than ever this year. 9 game packages were being offered to people on the season ticket waiting list.
I cant wait till October already! hehehe
"All the money you make will never buy back your soul" Bob Dylan
"I need honesty, I need truth, and I need hope...I need it! That's what music means to me." EV
Tickets go on sale Feb 22nd but it will be tougher than ever this year. 9 game packages were being offered to people on the season ticket waiting list.
I cant wait till October already! hehehe
Yeah, since I'm on the wait list I had an opportunity but passed as most of the games were games during the week and living in Milwaukee, it'd be difficult to go to. I'll just be going for Opening Day (6th straight), Sox, Cards, and maybe a few others on the 22nd as I've got off of work as is tradition. Can't wait to crack that Old Style at 9:30 in the morning on the 22nd and drop money on tickets like it's my job!
Alpine Valley 6/26/98, Alpine Valley 10/8/00, Champaign 4/23/03, Chicago 6/18/03, Alpine Valley 6/21/03, Grand Rapids 10/3/04
Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, Grand Rapids 5/19/06
Milwaukee 6/29/06, Milwaukee 6/30/06, Lollapalooza 8/5/07
Eddie Solo Milwaukee 8/19/08, Toronto 8/21/09, Chicago 8/23/09
Chicago 8/24/09, Indianapolis 5/7/10, Ed Chicago 6/29/11, Alpine Valley 9/3/11 and 9/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Moline 10/18/14, Milwaukee 10/20/14
I hope BRob gets sent to the Cubs. Although I live in Maryland, the Cubs made it past the regular season, didn't they? Don't competitve athletes want to be on competitive teams?
There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
Comments
CHICAGO (AP) -- Jon Lieber, a 20-game winner for the Chicago Cubs in 2001, rejoined the team Wednesday by agreeing to a $3.5 million, one-year contract.
Lieber, who spent the previous three seasons in Philadelphia and underwent surgery for a ruptured tendon in his foot last year, will compete for a spot in Chicago's rotation when the Cubs report to spring training next month. He can earn performance bonuses based on games started and innings pitched.
"He gives us some depth. There is no sense playing mix and match and who's going to be this and what role somebody is going to have," general manager Jim Hendry said. "We're just trying to add as many quality pitchers and we think he adds a lot still to our club."
The 37-year-old Lieber was disappointed when the Phillies initially assigned him to the bullpen at the start of last season. But he said Wednesday he'll be willing to accept any role in his return to the Cubs.
"I'll do whatever it takes to help the Chicago Cubs win and if that's pitching out of the bullpen, so be it," he said.
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Lieber had elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2002 -- the final year of his first stint with the Cubs -- and was bothered by a groin problem with the Phillies in 2006. Last year, his season ended on June 20 because of the foot injury.
Now, he says he's healthy and ready to pitch. He said he completed his lengthy rehab in early October.
"Everything is fine and I've been cleared to do my normal routine since then and had no problems," Lieber said.
The Cubs' rotation already includes Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis, Rich Hill and Sean Marshall. Former closer Ryan Dempster also is going to get a shot at starting.
"We're going to have probably seven or eight starters in camp and that's the right number," manager Lou Piniella said Wednesday during a stop on the team's winter tour. "Lieber competes very well, knows how to pitch. Let's hope he's nice and healthy and ready to go. If he is, he will help us."
Hendry said the Cubs will be busy during the weeks leading up to the start of spring training on Feb. 13 in Mesa, Ariz. Chicago won the NL Central last season before getting swept by Arizona in the first round of the playoffs.
Hendry wouldn't specifically address reports that the Cubs have talked to the Baltimore Orioles about acquiring second baseman Brian Roberts.
"I don't get into other teams' players," Hendry said. "We're going to try to be really aggressive the next three or four weeks before camp and try to come up with somebody else who can help us before we get there. ... We're going to try to stay on top of it."
The Cubs have already added Japanese star Kosuke Fukudome to be their right fielder, and reports said they also were interested in second baseman Kaz Matsui, who signed with Houston.
Mark DeRosa, who displayed his versatility by playing several positions last season but was primarily a second baseman, is back.
Piniella was perfectly happy with DeRosa's performance, which included a .293 batting average with 10 homers and 72 RBIs in 149 games.
"I know when we signed him we talked about moving him around a little bit, but let me tell you, if we went to camp just the way we are with Mark at second base, it's fine with me," Piniella said.
Lieber is 129-121 with a 4.28 ERA in 375 major league appearances, including 326 starts. He was 48-36 with the Cubs from 1999-2002, including 20-6 with a 3.80 ERA in 2001 when he made the NL All-Star team. He has also been especially effective at Wrigley Field, with a 29-18 record.
Lieber also pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees. After missing the 2003 season while recovering from elbow surgery, he went 14-8 with a 4.33 ERA in 2004 with the Yankees. He was 17-13 with a 4.20 ERA in 2005, his first season with Philadelphia.
I know this is off topic, but I know someone who works at the Bestbuy on north. He's a douche. I told his girlfriend to get over herself.. Annoying ass people!
But, on a good note, thats my Bestbuy! I shop at whole foods there every week. I've probably run into you and didnt know it. weird.
Okay back on topic. I can't wait to find out what games we get to go to this season. My husband's boss has friends that have awesome season ticket seats and they can't use a ton of tickets, so we get second pick at them. They were good for 6 pairs last year
Go cubbies!
Still pissed about raising tickets 16% although I was expecting it. I'll probably cut back to 6 - 8 games this year (opening day, Cards, Sox, and maybe one or two others). Sorry but I don't think a FLA, WSH, or PIT game should be a PRIME ticket game just cause it's a summer game. That's bullshit. I'll prime Prime ticket pricing for Opening Day, Sox and Cards, but not FLA, WSH or PIT.
Speaking of tickets, anyone know when they go on sale. I'm assuming either Feb. 15th or 22nd. Either way I've got both days off so I'll be ready to crack my Old Style at 9:30 and sit on the computer!!
Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, Grand Rapids 5/19/06
Milwaukee 6/29/06, Milwaukee 6/30/06, Lollapalooza 8/5/07
Eddie Solo Milwaukee 8/19/08, Toronto 8/21/09, Chicago 8/23/09
Chicago 8/24/09, Indianapolis 5/7/10, Ed Chicago 6/29/11, Alpine Valley 9/3/11 and 9/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Moline 10/18/14, Milwaukee 10/20/14
Hell yeah!
Since moving out to AZ, there are only a few places that carry Old Style. When spring training comes along, I stock up and hit up as many games as possible!
It's great! You can sit in the lawn (outfield) for $6! Hell yeah! Can't wait!
If any of you come out for spring training this year, let me know and we can hit up a game!
that said...
i've kinda grown tired of all the cub fans under 30 who keep up with the whole, 'i'm a suffering cub fan' routine. i just wish they'd have some respect for the fans who were in the bleachers in the 70's and early 80's (when the white sox were out drawing the cub fans).
i'm 33 and i'll admit it, i fought back tears when the white sox won...
...but during the whole deal i always tried to remember the fans who were in their 60's, 70's and 80's and tried to set aside some good feelings for them.
just remember, young cub fans, there were many who suffered longer than you.
truly...i hope none of you have to suffer anymore after this year (as i've gotten the monkey off my back in '05), but...and if it all happens...my advice is to not be so self-indulgent...
remember those who've suffered for many more years.
if you look at it that way...the whole ride will be much sweeter.
good luck this year.
Thanks for your kind words.
My grandpa, who died last week (in his mid 70s) was perhaps the biggest Cubs fan of them all...including myself. Knowing that he never had the opportunity to see a Cubs World Series really upsets me. When a team that hasn't "won it" in so many years, it's bound to happen but it just pains me that he didn't have the opportunity to see it happen.
Yeah, there are a lot of "fairweather fans" and bandwagon Cub fans (as there are Sox fans...and yes, I know not as many...) but there are also hundreds of thousands that are true diehards that care nothing more to see the boys in blue win it all.
Go Cubbies!
most of the time, it ends up in a cub/sox thing...
but that's not my intention...at least, it isn't after the sox won.
my grandmother is 88...would be nice to see it happen for her.
there's no reason it shouldn't this year. everything is lining up great for the cubs division and league wise.
I'd love to see it happen. I still think even though they completely collapsed last year, which was wonderful to see, that the Mets will be tough. Also in the division I think the Brewers are gonna be tough again, but hopefully not tough enough, as I live in Milwaukee and will never hear the end of it. I'll have tickets for the last three games of the year in Milwaukee and if comes down to that it will be crazy.
Yes, bandwagon fan sucks, regardless of what team you root for unfortunately with sucsess comes bandwagon fans.
Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, Grand Rapids 5/19/06
Milwaukee 6/29/06, Milwaukee 6/30/06, Lollapalooza 8/5/07
Eddie Solo Milwaukee 8/19/08, Toronto 8/21/09, Chicago 8/23/09
Chicago 8/24/09, Indianapolis 5/7/10, Ed Chicago 6/29/11, Alpine Valley 9/3/11 and 9/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Moline 10/18/14, Milwaukee 10/20/14
Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, Grand Rapids 5/19/06
Milwaukee 6/29/06, Milwaukee 6/30/06, Lollapalooza 8/5/07
Eddie Solo Milwaukee 8/19/08, Toronto 8/21/09, Chicago 8/23/09
Chicago 8/24/09, Indianapolis 5/7/10, Ed Chicago 6/29/11, Alpine Valley 9/3/11 and 9/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Moline 10/18/14, Milwaukee 10/20/14
Anyways...this guy I'm almost certain was Z came right by me. If I had to bet on it, I would say it was him. He looked a bit scruffy, but had the credentials of a bigwig. Randy Johnson was there too.
are you FUCKING kidding me?!?! jon leiber?!?!!? lieber SUCKS. speaking as a phillies fan, he is a fat, washed up, piece of shit who will get hurt by june and gladly keep the 3 or 4 million bucks your team foolishly gave him and put it into his truck. he's over the hill. nothing like the lieber who pitched for you years ago. trust me. this just shows how bad pitching is in baseball right now.
bottomline: mlb needs to contract. need to scale back 3-4 teams and distribute the talent across the league. its so watered down right now its pathetic. lieber to add depth?!?! if this was 1991 or something, he wouldnt be close to getting a spot in the majors.
I think everyone in Chicago knows he isn't going to be as good as he was when he was a Cub before.
He most likely won't start and will come out of the pen (esp. in long relief) which is a huge hole the Cubs had.
Decent relief/utility pitchers are impossible to find right now...
The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
The deal has changed so many times over the last month. It looked like at one point it was going to get done with the O's getting Matt Murton, Sean Marshall, Sean Gallagher and Ronny Cedeno, but the O's kept wanting to replace one of the pitchers with Rich Hill, or one of the position players with Pie or Colvin, and thats just way too much for the Cubs to give up (unless they throw in Bedard too but that ain't happening). I've love to have that guy at the top of the lineup setting the table for Lee Ramirez Soriano and Fukudome.
Piniella said Alfonso Soriano will lead off on March 31 when the Cubs play host to the Milwaukee Brewers, followed by Ryan Theriot, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Kosuke Fukudome, Mark DeRosa, Geovany Soto and Felix Pie. He also indicated Carlos Zambrano would start, although Zambrano hinted on Friday that he'd let lefty Ted Lilly have the honor because the right-hander is 0-3 in Opening Day starts.
I have a feeling though, either Sam Fuld will beat out Pie for CF, or the Cubs will acquire a veteran who will take over for Pie after a month or two. Don't get me wrong, I really hope the kid displays the potential he has.....but this is the Cubs we are talking about....when was the last time a position player came from the farm system and made the type of impact they expected from them.
Is that true? Isn't that kinda fucked up that he has already made his decision before spring training?
Is what true, the Zambrano part? I think Lou wants Lilly to start opening day, but he has to do this in a delicate way, because Los can be such a hot head. Lots of ego there.
Feb 22nd is the answer my man.
Nice!!! GO CUBS, now that the Packers are eliminated. I know I'll get shit for that in this thread, but those are my teams, the Packers and the Cubs!!
Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, Grand Rapids 5/19/06
Milwaukee 6/29/06, Milwaukee 6/30/06, Lollapalooza 8/5/07
Eddie Solo Milwaukee 8/19/08, Toronto 8/21/09, Chicago 8/23/09
Chicago 8/24/09, Indianapolis 5/7/10, Ed Chicago 6/29/11, Alpine Valley 9/3/11 and 9/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Moline 10/18/14, Milwaukee 10/20/14
Well at least you and I like the Packers. hehe
That one's gonna hurt a LONG, LONG time!!!!
Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, Grand Rapids 5/19/06
Milwaukee 6/29/06, Milwaukee 6/30/06, Lollapalooza 8/5/07
Eddie Solo Milwaukee 8/19/08, Toronto 8/21/09, Chicago 8/23/09
Chicago 8/24/09, Indianapolis 5/7/10, Ed Chicago 6/29/11, Alpine Valley 9/3/11 and 9/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Moline 10/18/14, Milwaukee 10/20/14
Ahhh I'm over it. We didn't play well and got beat. It was a great season.
Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, Grand Rapids 5/19/06
Milwaukee 6/29/06, Milwaukee 6/30/06, Lollapalooza 8/5/07
Eddie Solo Milwaukee 8/19/08, Toronto 8/21/09, Chicago 8/23/09
Chicago 8/24/09, Indianapolis 5/7/10, Ed Chicago 6/29/11, Alpine Valley 9/3/11 and 9/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Moline 10/18/14, Milwaukee 10/20/14
Still looks like the B Roberts deal might happen.
Lastly, I liked this article:
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/782020,020708mariottiweb.article
Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, Grand Rapids 5/19/06
Milwaukee 6/29/06, Milwaukee 6/30/06, Lollapalooza 8/5/07
Eddie Solo Milwaukee 8/19/08, Toronto 8/21/09, Chicago 8/23/09
Chicago 8/24/09, Indianapolis 5/7/10, Ed Chicago 6/29/11, Alpine Valley 9/3/11 and 9/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Moline 10/18/14, Milwaukee 10/20/14
Tickets go on sale Feb 22nd but it will be tougher than ever this year. 9 game packages were being offered to people on the season ticket waiting list.
I cant wait till October already! hehehe
"I need honesty, I need truth, and I need hope...I need it! That's what music means to me." EV
Yeah, since I'm on the wait list I had an opportunity but passed as most of the games were games during the week and living in Milwaukee, it'd be difficult to go to. I'll just be going for Opening Day (6th straight), Sox, Cards, and maybe a few others on the 22nd as I've got off of work as is tradition. Can't wait to crack that Old Style at 9:30 in the morning on the 22nd and drop money on tickets like it's my job!
Chicago 5/16/06, Chicago 5/17/06, Grand Rapids 5/19/06
Milwaukee 6/29/06, Milwaukee 6/30/06, Lollapalooza 8/5/07
Eddie Solo Milwaukee 8/19/08, Toronto 8/21/09, Chicago 8/23/09
Chicago 8/24/09, Indianapolis 5/7/10, Ed Chicago 6/29/11, Alpine Valley 9/3/11 and 9/4/11, Wrigley 7/19/13, Moline 10/18/14, Milwaukee 10/20/14
The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird