We'd like to take a moment to wish a happy diamond birthday to the greatest Cub to grace the baseball diamond - Ernie Banks. Mr. Cub not only graced the National League with his presence until 1971, but since then, his sunny disposition and always positive attitude have been a fixture with the Cubs at every turn.

Take a moment and appreciate his greatness as a player:
* 512 home runs
* 2 National League MVP Awards (1958-59)
* 11 seasons as a National League All-Star
* 1636 RBI
* 2583 hits
* Elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1977

Thanks to Ernie, we all know that "let's play two" today in the "Friendly Confines".

A great line from the Hall of Fame website: "Without him, the Cubs would finish in Albuquerque." — Jimmie Dykes

A few years ago at our studios, Bill Murray reflected on his favorite Cub (I believe Bill's oldest son is named Homer Banks).
Bill Murray Talks About His Favorite Cub - Ernie Banks

Ernie Banks Sings "Hey Hey Holy Mackerel" in 1970

One of the things that has come in under the radar and I've talked about this to anybody who will listen is the improvement of the Cubs bench this offseason. There's a lot of key at bats in the 8th and 9th inning of a ballgame and last year when Dusty would look down the bench for pinch-hitters, there just wasn't a lot there to choose from. The addition of John Mabry, who's an experienced veteran major league left-handed hitter coming off the bench late, and Marquis Grissom, who was signed to a minor-league contract but will be given every chance to make the big club - just those two guys alone, you have veterans who have faced those closers in key situations and come up with big hits in the past. The Cubs have strengthened themselves in the late innings with the bench and their additions to the bullpen. I think for that reason alone the Cubs are going to be much better this year.

Bob

There's an attempt here in the Phoenix area to begin generating the "buzz" for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, but I don't think the fans are picking up on it yet. Some of that has to do with the fact that college football just ended and the NFL is looking forward to the Super Bowl, so baseball hasn't grabbed the fans down here yet. With each passing day, I think there will be more interest and with spring training we'll see what happens.

For baseball managers (some of whom it will shock you to know are creatures of habit), this is going to cause many headaches for them and the team coordinators around baseball. Going into spring training, you target the number of at-bats and the number of innings pitched that you want to get for each guy so that they are ready for the season. Suddenly when you lose one or more of these guys to this competition, it's out of your control. You can't control the number of at-bats they get and you can't schedule a B game for the next morning to get a guy 5 or 6 at-bats so it really will tie a manager's hands. A lot of the players I've talked to who have been selected are very excited to play on the teams and they should be, but to a man, the managers I've talked to aren't real excited about it.

Pitching is always your biggest worry, even if there weren't a World Baseball Classic. You send your guys away and for the most part, they are the top of your rotation and/or closer. Once again, you have no control. Certainly, there are rules about how often they can pitch and how often they can throw, but when adrenaline takes over and a competitor gets out there on the mound, it's going to be impossible for you as the manager who are removed from the fact to reign him in.

For fans, it's going to be a great competition and a lot of fun to watch, because when the games start, again, the adrenaline will be flowing in a big way for all these guys.

Bob

Team USA Manager Buck Martinez on the worries about the World Baseball Classic

If there was one unifying cry of disgust among Cub fans last year, it would sound something like this: "Why are we so poor fundamentally?!!!!" The frustration was not limited to fans - fundamentals have been a topic of conversation among Dusty Baker, the coaches, and players throughout the offseason. With spring training looming, that talk is only going to intensify. Jerry Hairston hopes to win the starting position at 2nd base this year and knows the topic of fundamentals isn't going away.
Jerry Hairston on fundamentals and the Cubs

Before Christmas we posted some shots of the Cubs bleacher expansion. The Cubs are doing a great job of documenting it on www.cubs.com. If you haven't looked lately, there are some great photos and an article on the progress - definitely worth a look.

One of the starting pitchers on the spot this spring will be Jerome Williams, who hopes to win a job in the rotation. This will be the first full season with the Cubs for Williams and he's ready to do anything and everything to win over the Wrigley Field faithful.
Jerome Williams Makes His Pitch To Cub Fans

The Cubs made a signing I really like in grabbing Wade Miller. You can bet the Cubs have done their homework here, talked to doctors, all the things that go into a a signing like this. We all know you can't have enough pitching and Miller has been a reliable starter in the past. It's not a huge money deal and there's every reason for optimism that he'll be able to come back to at least very close to what he was before the injury, so I don't think it was much of a gamble.

The scouting report on Miller before his injuries was that he had good stuff, but occasionally pitched away from the strike zone and tried to nibble too much and would run into trouble falling behind in counts. His stuff was good and he had a reputation as a guy you could count on to eat up innings for you. If he bounces back and is close to form, he can be a middle of the rotation inning-eater guy who will win more games than he loses, keep you in the ballgame and keep the bullpen door closed.

Hopefully for all of us, the "gamble" on Wade Miller works out as well as it did with Ryan Dempster.

bob

Cub fans across the nation are expecting big things from new centerfielder and leadoff man Juan Pierre. The good news is that the only higher expectations might come from Pierre himself. His work ethic is legendary and he is keenly aware of what a sore spot the top spot in the order has been for the Cubs in recent years.

If Pierre struggles, it won't be from lack of effort. However, he is also conscious of trying to do too much too soon to impress the fans of his new team.

Juan Pierre On Expectations Of The Cub Fans

Former Cubs outfielder Willie Smith passed away on Monday from an apparent heart attack at his home in Anniston, Alabama. He was 66.

Smith was with the Cubs from 1968-70 as an outfielder and pinch-hitter. Fans will always remember him for one of the most dramatic and memorable home runs in Cubs history. His pinch-hit 11th inning shot to right field on Opening Day in 1969 beat the Phillies and set the tone for an unforgettable summer on the North Side. It was one of Jack Brickhouse's signature calls - "back...back...back. Hey hey! It's all over. Willie Smith just homered. The Cubs win the game!"

Reminiscing recently, second baseman Glenn Beckert remembered it was nice to win the game for more than one reason. "I was in the dugout trying to keep warm and I wanted to give Willie a kiss for doing it because I was freezing!"

We'll be sure to take a moment on Opening Day to show that home run and remember Willie Smith.

Cubs Remember Willie Smith's Opening Day HR

One theme kept returning from the players we talked to at the Cubs Convention last weekend - the dissatisfaction with last year's performance and the firm belief that the additions to this year's club have the ability to make everyone better.
Michael Barrett put it all in perspective during our interview with him.

WGN-TV will have four Cubs games from spring training again this year (all start times are Central).

March 5 from Mesa vs. San Francisco at 2p
March 25 from Mesa vs. Oakland at 2p
March 31 from Las Vegas vs. San Diego at 9p
April 1 from Las Vegas vs. San Diego at 2p

In addition, we will be carrying the Cubs-Sox game from Tucson on March 18 at 2p as a White Sox telecast.

Happy January everyone! It was great to see so many fans and friends at the Convention over the weekend.

I spent a lot of time talking, both at seminars and to individuals, and the point I keep coming back to is how improved our bullpen should be with Eyre and Howry. How many games did the Cubs lose in the 7th, 8th, and 9th inning last year because of inexperience in the bullpen? It was so inconsistent - you never know quite what you were going to get. They'd be dazzling one day and no one could throw a strike the next.

Having those two veterans down in the bullpen setting up Ryan Dempster is going to make a considerable difference. It's a long way to Opening Day, but I really feel the bullpen should be something to take heart in.

Bob

Like Len, I spent a good part of the weekend at the Cubs Convention. Not only was this event the first of its kind over 20 years ago, but remains the gold standard. It's a great chance to renew acquaintances in the middle of winter and celebrate this amazing Cubs phenomenon. Some brief notes:

*Not surprisingly, Bob Dernier is thrilled the Cubs have added a bona fide leadoff man in Juan Pierre. “You can't imagine how much of a difference it's going to make for the other hitters.” He also talked about how much the older Cubs look forward to this yearly reunion with teammmates and fans alike. For Dernier and others, the next stop on their reunion tour is Randy Hundley's fantasy camp in Arizona.

*The Cub newcomers were predictably blown away by the scope of the convention and the reception they received. Juan Pierre said it all at the media reception on Friday - “wow!”. Scott Eyre was still marveling at the welcome he received on the caravan and at the Hilton when he sat down with us Saturday afternoon.

*I have no inside knowledge but think Jim Hendry has one move left.

*The roars for Mark Prior and Derek Lee were something to behold at the Opening Ceremonies. Kudos to WGN's Pete Toma for putting together a tape to kick off the festivities that had everyone ready to take the field.

*Thanks to Bob & Len for their help in our WGN-TV seminar on how we produce a game. We had a lot of laughs and some great questions from the crowd. They are great to work with and fantastic with our fans. Again, we can't wait for spring training to begin. By the way, Bob has given me some stuff to post later in the week.

*What a year it's been for Ryne Sandberg. At last year's convention, he had just been named to the Hall of Fame and was embarking on a whirlwind year of years. He said it was great, but is relieved to have a bit of free time this year.

bob v

The 21st annual Cubs Convention concluded yesterday. A great weekend was had by everyone in attendance, from players to broadcasters to fans. If you couldn't be there, here's a few looks at the action.

I want to thank everyone who came out to the Cubs Convention over the weekend...it was a great weekend all around at the Hilton. I'll give you a quick synopsis of what I experienced.

Friday's media social was jam-packed. It's a time for all the Cubs (former and current) to mingle with the media and sponsors, etc. I got a chance to see a lot of people I hadn't talked to since the end of the season, including the Cubs coaches and staff and many former Cubs whom I had met at last year's convention.

The Opening Ceremonies were a little less nerve-racking for me this time around. Last year, Bob and I were told we were going to sing Take Me Out To The Ballgame (gulp!). My first Cubs Convention and now I'm singing in front of thousands of Cubs fans, who don't even know me! But I think it went well, although as those who were there could attest, I can't sing to save my life.

This year, having gone through the drill once and knowing everyone on a first-name basis, I just felt very much at home. Plus, I could sing Take Me Out To The Ballgame as out-of-key as I wanted and nobody heard it!

Saturday, I emceed "The Skipper and His Crew," with Dusty and his coaching staff. It was packed and we got to some good stuff, including Dusty saying when he was a player, he never even considered he'd one day be a big league manager. Dick Pole also had a great answer when someone asked him what a bench coach does. His answer went something like this - "I just sit next Dusty and ask him, 'What the hell did you do that for?'"

In the afternoon, I joined Bob, Pat and Ron on WGN Radio's show with the voices of the Cubs, hosted by Steve Cochran. Lots of laughs...by the way, I think the broadcast runs next weekend on WGN Radio.

My last event was my favorite. Bob Vorwald hosted an hour with Bob Brenly, our producer Pete Toma and me talking about how we produce our telecasts. I thought there was a lot of great insight on how we put together a game on WGN. Hopefully, that seminar will become an annual event at the convention. If you come out next year, don't miss it, I think you'll really enjoy it.

I met a ton of fans who were all extremely cordial, as always. I left the convention with a huge smile on my face. What an amazing job I have...

Len

Hey Gang, we just finished up two days of the Cubs Caravan and now are ready for the Cubs Convention @ the Hilton in Chicago. Bob Brenly and I were joined by a great group, including three of the newcomers -Juan Pierre, Jacque Jones and Scott Eyre. If anyone knows Ryan Dempster's personality, you'll know he enjoys life to the fullest - loves to play pranks on teammates, always quotes funny movie lines verbatim and generally likes to be the "class clown." Well, he may have met his match in Scott Eyre. We might have to have a camera dedicated to the Cubs bullpen at all times this season...I'm sure we'll catch some antics out there on occasion early in games.

Jones and Pierre got to know some of their new teammates on the caravan as well. Jacque did the first day while Juan did day two. It's always fun to hear guys compare notes on various teams and guys they know. In Pierre's case, the Cubs are elated not only that he's with the team, but that they don't have to worry about keeping him off the bases with another team! He's a guy who Ryan Dempster admits used to give him fits. Well, now they're on the same team. Jones once said he wanted to play for Dusty Baker before he retired and now he has that chance. He seems like a great guy who is excited to be on the North Side. I didn't ask him, but my hunch is that he won't have any trouble getting motivated to play the White Sox, a team that had quite a rivalry with his old club, the Twins.

So now, it's Convention time! Hope to see you this weekend. Stop by and say hi for sure.

Len

On behalf of all of us at WGN-TV, we wish you a happy New Year and hope that the holidays have been kind to all Cub fans. We're excited about 2006 and as Len mentions below, the Cub Convention is less than two weeks away.

We hope to have even more information and entertainment for you on the Cubs blog this year as well. Thanks for reading us on a regular basis and we look forward to lots of fun in 2006.

bob v

Happy New Year! I hope everyone spent some quality time with their
family over the holidays. With the Cubs Caravan and Convention coming up, there's some excitement in the air. I'm ready to talk some Cubs baseball with the fans and I hope to see many of you next week.

I've really enjoyed doing this blog and checking out some of the other myriad Cub blogs over the past year. I haven't come close to getting into all of them, but I've posted and done some Q&As on sites like Desipio.com, northsidebaseball.com, viewfromthebleachers.com,
oldstylecubs.blogspot.com, cubtown.baseballtoaster.com, cubs.mlb.com,
etc. If I've left any out, it's more because my memory is failing me
right now than anything! I've really had fun going back and forth with Cub fans in these various forums. You can learn a lot about the Cubs and as importantly, what Cub fans are thinking, by sampling the various blogs. And I appreciate is that most of them link to all the others and in fact, I've seen links to our WGN TV blog on many of them; it's like one big happy family. The bottom line is, if you know how to surf the net, there's every bit of Cubs info you could ever want.

How did we all survive without the internet???

Keep checking in. I'm sure we'll have some caravan/convention-related stuff on here coming up. And maybe we can get my broadcasting partner to give us an update on his off-season too.

Len