Rookie right-handed pitcher Jeff Samardzija could get the starting nod on Sunday for the Chicago Cubs. Samardzija is a possible starter due to a doubleheader during this week, which messes up the normal starting rotation.

The former Notre Dame football star has only made relief appearances in his eight outings with the Cubs at the Major League level, yet started 54 games in minors.

Samardzija has one save and a 1.54 earned run average in 11-and-two-thirds innings pitched in his rookie season. The only question? Will Charlie Weis show up again at Wrigley to sing during the seventh inning stretch as he did when Samardzija made his MLB debut on July 25? I would guess Weiss will sit this one out.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Cubs could start Jeff Samardzija on Sunday

Mark Cuban is still interested in becoming the owner of the Chicago Cubs. Owning the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks is not enough for Cuban. He wants in on one of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball. But many wonder, would the other owners or Bud Selig put up with Cuban’s antics?

Just think about it – Cuban sitting in the right field bleachers, among the other fans, heckling that poor rightfielder. Sure, umpires would be almost out of earshot of Cuban’s taunts, but not that lonely rightfielder. I’m sure with Cuban’s help the entire bleacher bum parade would heckle the … well… heck out of that poor soul in right field. So bad, in fact, that there might be a recreation from that movie “Bleacher Bums,” where the right fielder gets so fed up with the heckler in the stands, he attempts to climb the wall to throw down. What you never saw it? That’s OK (I only picked it up because it was five bucks at Wal-Mart) – I don’t think many others did either.

Anyway, you get the picture. The fans would love Cuban at Wrigley Field. But MLB probably would not. And other owners definitely would not be able to put up with some of the antics he has shown off court side at Mavs games. But the Cubs deserve an owner that would care and would put up the money to bring a championship to the franchise (don’t worry – it won’t happen this year… I don’t care how far ahead of the NL Central they get). So why not Cuban? He’s shown that he can take care of his players and coaches.

And you can forget about quotes from Ozzie Guillen if Cuban becomes the owner. Fans in Chicago will only be watching WGN for those press conferences where Lou Piniella and Cuban fire off expletives about umpires and players on opposing teams.

This could be a match made in Wrigleyville, but for now we’ll have to wait to find out if it will ever happen.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Mark Cuban and the Cubs

Can the Chicago White Sox go back to the World Series? Bobby Jenks is a key piece to the puzzle for Ozzie Guillen’s team. Photo: Newscom

I know – it’s not even mid-July yet. The All-Star game has yet to be played. But, what about the World Series? Can you imagine the crazy matchups that could be played in October? I mean the Rays have a shot at unseating the Boston Red Sox and Yankees in the American League East. The Chicago Cubs are the talk of the National League Central (again). Even the White Sox are beginning to run away with the AL Central. Wait – what about the Cubs and the White Sox in the World Series? Isn’t Boston supposed to be title town? We can’t let that happen. It’s not possible. Is it?

Well, Rick Morrissey thinks it’s possible. Yesterday, Morrissey posted an article on ChicagoSports.com titled “A what-if World Series for the ages.” You ain’t kidding, Rick! If the Cubs and the White Sox meet in the fall classic the entire Midwest may just… well, erupt (with many feelings).

There’s no doubt the White Sox are the hottest team in baseball after a tirade by skipper Ozzie Guillen changed the tune of the team. The Cubs aren’t exactly running away with the NL Central (yet), which, believe it or not, is not the worst division in baseball anymore. However, Lou Piniella is doing something right. Maybe he’s got the right recipe to get rid of this ridiculous curse of the goat or to exalt Steve Bartman. After all, if the Cubs win the World Series, or at least make an appearance, there could be someone that takes Bartman’s place.

But back to the possibilities of this absurd suggestion. Can the White Sox win the American League? With the Tigers’ struggles and the Minnesota Twins still trying to overcome the loss of Johan Santana, Chicago could cruise to an AL Central title. And with the Rays battling (seriously battling – even to the point of fisticuffs) the Red Sox and Yankees, Chicago could even end up with the best record in the AL and make another appearance in the World Series.

Well – what about the Cubs? Chicago still has to put up with the St. Louis Cardinals and Albert Pujols. And to be honest, the Cubs have to worry about themselves. Let’s be honest – this team has been known to implode a time or two in the past. But, yes, it is possible that the Cubs can win it all. If they can get past the NL Central it seems the only other team to worry with is the Arizona Diamondbacks or the Philadelphia Phillies. But I can see the Cubs getting past either of those teams. Why not? It’s a year of destiny!

Then again, it is likely that the Cubs do implode and the White Sox enter a slump and Ozzie goes wild again. But, as Morrissey says, “what if?”

If you want to weigh in on this topic, feel free to leave a comment or vote in the poll to the right of this post.

Post from: EveryJoe

Cubs-White Sox World Series?

10. Randy Johnson – The Big Unit – What a site it would be for Randy Johnson to walk out to trade lineup cards and go over ground rules. The 6-10 lefty would make for great television to see him running out to argue a call with an umpire.

9. Scott Rolen – One can only imagine that Rolen’s problems with managers in the past (i.e. Tony LaRussa) could lead to seeing how confrontational he would be as a manager. Maybe we could make Rolen and Jeff Kent co-managers? Hmm…

8. Richie Sexson – Big Sexy – Obviously, he would have some of what Randy has going for him with the height status, but the reason I’m picking Richie is for the fact that he can start a brawl for absolutely no reason. Some poor rookie pitcher tosses one too close to his lead off hitter and here comes Big Sexy running out of the dugout throwing his sharpie or whatever is close to get the brawl started.

7. Gabe Kapler – He’s already tried it before. Plus, if the team ever needs a pinch hitter he can activate himself and swat a home run. We’ll call it the “Roger Dorn” rule.

6. Brendan Ryan – Because there’s always one manager in the league that no fan seems to know anything about.

5. Brandon Backe – One announcer during the 2005 World Series said that Backe had the best “Thatta Boy” cheer he’s ever heard. Backe is always talking on the bench when he’s not pitching. As a manager, he’d make a good cheerleader and keep his team loose and pumped up.

4. Kevin Millar – Cowboy Up – Known for his clubhouse antics, Millar would really keep the guys on his squad on their toes.

3. Billy Wagner – When he gets older, this guy is going to be just like Jim Leyland. That old school attitude that says exactly what he is thinking and doesn’t care who is listening.

2. Manny Ramirez – Manny Being Manny – That’s all that really needs to be said. Think about what a team would be like with Manny in charge. Everyone would have dreads that almost completely covered their numbers on their backs, and it would be required to high-five a fan after making a play in the field.

1. Carlos Zambrano – Talking to himself on the mound, getting into fights with teammates. Are we sure this guy isn’t related to Lou Piniella? Zambrano has a really fiery-nature about him and can become really animated, really quick. Think Ozzie Guillen (for quotes) plus Hal McCrae (for locker room outbursts). Now we’re talking! Zambrano wins!

Let me know in the comments section who you think would be interesting to have as a manager.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

The Thursday 10