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Al sent me this article to include in today's edition. Can you believe the Cubs are just fourth among the city's pro sports teams in terms of vanity license plate sales? I'm in the market for a new (used) car, so I might have to up this total by one if the wife gives that the ok.
From Comcast SportsNet
- Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips talks a lot. Sometimes, he even says nice things about Chicago.
- Uh oh. Dale Sveum got the dreaded "vote of confidence" from GM Jed Hoyer.
- Matt Garza's rehab is on hold due to a dead arm. Sigh.
- The Cubs' rivalry with the Reds is no longer a big market versus small market issue, as our boys in blue hope to copy the new Big Red Machine.
From Cubs Den
- Cub prospects are learning to walk.
- Will Dale Sveum become Alan Trammell?
From Cubs.com
- The defense has been a problem. Defense at second base with Darwin Barney is not the problem.
- The closer role is still up in the air.
- The team wants Anthony Rizzo to improve his non-power numbers. I've never been a big fan of Rizzo's swing mechanics, but he looks like he's not seeing the ball at all right now and is mostly just guessing.
- Cody Ransom sure knows how to make a first impression.
- Alfonso Soriano can still find another gear when he has to.
From ESPNChicago.com
- He'd like a win for himself and the team, but Travis Wood is pleased with the way he's pitched.
- Five questions with Jeff Samardzija.
- Close isn't good enough for the Cubs.
- Dale Sveum's decision to replace Carlos Villanueva with Carlos Marmol Tuesday night is worth examining. Though, here at BCB, we've already done that.
- (Audio) David DeJesus visited the podcast to stay positive.
- Here's a more in-depth look at Carlos Villanueva's recent gem.
From the Chicago Tribune (register to see almost anything but videos)
- Dusty Baker thinks the renovation of Wrigley Field is long overdue.
- (Video only) Darwin Barney talks about his big home run on Tuesday.
- The club says they aren't worried about Matt Garza's latest setback. They've said that before.
- Phil Rogers thinks Kris Bryant is in play with Mark Appel and Jonathan Gray for the Cubs first pick.
- Sully's mailbag is usually good for some hilarity. From the reader's, at least. Paul only thinks he's funny.
From the Chicago Sun-Times (can read a paragraph, register to read the rest)
- Dale Sveum says everyone is accountable for the bad start.
- There's no (Gold) glove lost between Brandon Phillips and Darwin Barney.
- The team wants Rizzo to just be himself.
- But are mechanics getting in the first baseman's way?
- While the Cubs reel, the Reds are taking advantage. Though I've got to say by looking at the empty seats the Reds' attendance was decidedly underwhelming the first two games of the series.
- Gordo wonders how the small-market Reds are better than the big-market Cubs.
From the Daily Herald (registry required for all)
- I don't normally post columns, but I thought you might like to read about panicking Cubs fans.
- From the "headlines that scream there's nothing to read here" file: Jed Hoyer says the Cubs must find ways to get better. Yup. That's the headline.
Today's food for thought
- Did ancient Europeans mysteriously vanish 4,500 years ago?
- Cool video. Take a look at three years of the sun in three minutes. Click 'show more' in the video detail box for more specifics about the video's contents.