On Thursday, Lee scored the game-tying run in the top of the ninth inning after Jeff Baker hit a homer with two outs to give the Cubs the lead over the San Francisco Giants. As Lee and Baker entered the dugout, teammates were celebrating.

During that celebration, Guzman greeted Lee with a helmet slap. The problem? The helmet slapped caused Lee to suffer neck spasms. Lee was then forced to leave the game and he wasn’t in the lineup for Friday’s contest.

As it stands, the Cubs are 80-73 and out of the playoff chase. Good thing there is always next year. That will be the year the curse ends. Right, Cubs fans?

Derrek Lee Injured by a Celebratory Helmet Slap (Image: Zuma Press)

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On Sunday, the Cubs decided to suspend Bradley for the rest of the season. Reading between the lines, it’s safe to say that Bradley won’t be wearing a Cubs uniform any time soon.

Said Jim Hendry, the GM of the Cubs: “Recently, it’s become intolerable to hear Milton talk about our great fans the way he has. We pride ourselves on having the greatest fans in baseball, so at this time we felt it was best to send him home for the rest of the season.”

It didn’t help that Bradley was also a dud at the plate. The 31-year-old hit only .257 with 12 homers, 40 RBIs and 61 runs. Last year with the Texas Rangers, Bradley hit .321 with 22 homers, 77 RBIs and 78 runs.

It’ll be interesting to see what the Cubs do with him in the offseason. A trade makes the most sense but after Bradley’s implosion this season, the market will undoubtedly be very small. If Chicago wants to trade him, they’ll likely have to eat most of his salary.

Milton Bradley and the Cubs have divorced (Image: Zuma Press)

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Even when healthy this season, Soriano didn’t do much to justify his $17 million salary. For the year, he’s hitting .241 with 20 homers, 64 runs and 55 RBIs. In fact, 2009 could go down as Soriano’s worst year since becoming an everyday Major League Baseball player in 2001 for the New York Yankees.

While the Cubs are technically in second place in the NL Central, it is hardly a race, The St. Louis Cardinals lead the division by 11.5 games and show no signs of slowing down. Chicago at 67-66 are the only other team in the division over .500.

All things considered, don’t expect to see Soriano again this season. The Cubs have too much invested in him and will instead let him rest up for 2010.

Don't expect to see Alfonso Soriano in a Cubs uniform again this season (Image: Zuma Press)

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Macchione, who lives in the Illinois city of Bartlett, faces two counts — one for illegal conduct within a sports facility and the other one for battery. There has yet to be a public comment by Macchione.

Right after the game, Victorino talked about how disappointed he was at the fan’s action.

“It’s one of those things that happens,” said Victorino, “and I just want to make sure that guy gets what’s due.”

The Cubs as an organization were very apologetic after the game.

Said Crane Kenney, the Cubs chairman: “It shouldn’t have happened here. It’s not a good reflection on our city or organization. We’re going to do whatever we can to make sure that things are made right here.”

The incident occured during Wednesday’s game and was somewhat overshadowed by the return of Pedro Martinez. Despite the thrown beer, the Phillies were able to capture a 12-5 win.

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Maddux pitched with the Braves from 1993 until 2003. Both before and after his stint with the Braves, Maddux pitched for the Chicago Cubs. In his final two seasons, he pitched for the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

For his career, Maddux had a record of 355-227 and an ERA of 3.16. He pitched more than 5,000 innings in his career, which began in 1986. Arguably the best season of his career came in 1995 when he went 19-2 with a microscopic 1.63 ERA.

Bobby Cox, who coached Maddux during his stint in Atlanta, had a few simple answers to sum up how good a pitcher Maddux was during his career.

Said Cox: “I get asked by managers and press people all the time, how good was he? Was he the best pitcher I ever saw? Was he the smartest pitcher I ever saw? Was he the best competitor I ever saw? Was he the best teammate I ever saw?”

“The answer is yes to all the above.”

Here is the video of Greg Maddux getting his Atlanta Braves jersey retired:

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With the Cubs beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1, Nyjer Morgan was trying to score when Zambrano placed a tag on him. The replays show that Morgan might have been out but the ump called him safe. Then Zambrano exploded. He bumped the ump, which got him ejected. Then he tried to toss the umpire and threw the baseball into the outfield. Zambrano finished off his rampage by beating up the Gatorade machine with a baseball bat.

Morgan’s run tied the game at two. But the Cubs then scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth and held on for a 5-2 victory.

Before getting tossed, Zambrano had given up one earned run in 6.1 innings.

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Rodriguez has played well as the starting catcher for the Astros. On Sunday, Rodriguez hit the 300th home run of his career to help the Astros beat the Chicago Cubs by a final count of 6-5.

The 300th blast for Rodriguez came in the top of the fourth inning. His two-run shot was off of Rich Harden and gave the Astros a 4-2 lead they would never relinquish.

The 37-year-old catcher is hitting .286 on the season with five homers and 19 RBI. In his career, Rodriguez has a .301 batting average to go with 1,236 RBI, 1,268 runs and 2,637 hits.

When the book is closed on Pudge Rodriguez’s career, expect him to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

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Last year with the Florida Marlins, Gregg racked up 29 saves along with a 3.41 ERA. Acquired via trade in the offseason, Gregg hasn’t given up a run during spring training. That fact, along with Piniella being comfortable with Marmol as the setup man once again, allowed Gregg to win the top job in the bullpen.

Marmol, a 26-year-old out of the Dominican Republic with dynamic stuff, pitched very well last year. He had a 2.68 ERA, a WHIP of 0.93 and 114 strikeouts in 87.1 innings. Marmol also finished the year with 30 holds in 82 outings.

Despite losing out on the closer role, Marmol is the next in line if Gregg struggles at any point during the 2009 Major League Baseball season.

Here is a video of Gregg while with the Marlins robbing the Cubs of a hit with a behind the back stab:

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The 30-year-old Heilman has publicly stated that he wishes to be given the opportunity to be a starting pitcher and the Cubs apparently will let him try to win a spot in their rotation. Last season, Heilman pitched for the Mets and all 78 of his appearances were in relief. He finished the season with a 5.21 ERA and had five saves to go along with a record of 3-8.

Olson is a starting pitching prospect who the Mariners could put into their rotation this season. He was acquired early in the month by the Cubs from the Baltimore Orioles in the Felix Pie trade.

Cedeno is a 25-year-old infielder who is capable of playing second base and shortstop. Last season with the Cubs, he hit .269 with two homers and 28 RBIs. Cedeno will likely be used as a utility player for the Mariners but he may be given a chance to win a starting spot.

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In return, the Cubs received Garrett Olson, a pitcher, and Henry Williamson, a minor leaguer. Olson started 26 games for the Orioles last season and went 9-10 with a 6.65 ERA. Presumably, he’ll be given a shot to win a starting job but will likely end up in the minor leagues.

In Pie’s time up on the major league level with the Cubs, he has hit only .223 with three homers and 30 RBIs in 130 games. The native of the Dominican Republic will have to do much better to keep a starting spot with the Orioles.

If he can learn to hit big league pitching, Pie could still reach his potential. He has very good speed and has decent power. In the field, he has the ability to be a top flight corner outfielder.

The 23-year-old has no more minor league options so this year will basically be boom or bust for Felix Pie.

Photo credit: Newscom

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