Ugly, Ugly, Ugly

There isn't much to say about last night that hasn't already been rehashed about 1,000 times, but I will look at our favorite Cub to hate, Jim Edmonds.

Emdonds singled in the second inning (a gift by the scorer, since a healthy Furcal could jump 2 feet higher), before scoring on the Mark DeRosa HR.

After that, Edmonds contributions were nothing. He was charged with an error on a ball he couldn't handle off the wall. Then, for a man that plays a shallow CF, he couldn't come up with a blopper to center.

Like I said, he would come back to hurt us. Our only hope is that Big Good Z steps up tonight to even the series. Anyway, the Jim Edmonds Magic Number is down to:

18

Next Game: Game 2 of NLDS vs. L.A. Dodgers

@ Wrigley Field 9:30 EST

Edmonds stats for the NLDS:

1 for 4. 1 run, 1 error, 2 LOB, 1 K

Jim Edmonds Magic Number

We here at the CJE just couldn't stand by and post a Magic Number of 11 for the Cubs. I understand that the Cubs need 11 wins to World Championship, but I wanted a number that really meant something.

So, the Loather and I are posting a number of 19. That is the Maxium possible games that Jim Edmonds will be allowed to put on a uniform for the Chicago Cubs anymore, because heaven forbid that Jim Hendry sign the "Hot Dog" for more time. Look for commentary throughout the playoffs and much more. And here it is........

19

Game 1 of the NLDS

6:30 p.m. EST

@ Wrigley Field

against L.A. Dodgers

No Spin Zone

I've finally come to the point where I can't spin something about Jim Edmonds. On the day the Cubs clinch the NL Central, Jim Edmonds caught the final out against the St. Louis Cardinals. I mean come on, couldn't it have been a grounder to third or something. Nevertheless, I will try and counteract the bad karma we keep recieving as Jim stays on this roster.

Well, at least sit back and relax this week. Enjoy watching the Brewers and Mets try and give away a playoff spot.

This is a how you play defense

(AP)

While the city of Houston recovers from Ike, I just want wanted to post a photo of the game-saving catch from Fukudome. He might not be hitting lick, but with plays like that it doesn't matter. Now, Jim Edmonds just needs to take some lessons.

There have been a few people saying that Felix Pie might get a few more starts at CF. I'm all for it, he brings speed and good defense. Hopefully, we will have baseball tomorrow, but we will see.

The Devil Makes a House Call

(AP)

Well, I hate to say it....but....We told you so! I've broken just about every journalism rule I know to write that last sentence, but it had to done. Jim Edmonds had a nice little run in June/July, but he is officially out of gas and killing this team. Whatever deal he made with the devil has come due, because he isn't even making any more diving catches that he could made standing up. Now balls are just dropping in front of him and past him.

Since July, the Anti-Christ is 14-for-67 (.209 AVG) with 4 HR and 8 RBI. That is just sick, and he is still playing bad defense. I'm sure "The Loather" might be able to pull up some zone ratings and stuff, but I didn't have time to do it. His feel good story is now over and its time for Felix Pie to get a shot. At least he can hit .209 and play great defense, while ranging for a few more balls. I'm not saying Pie is going to be great, but I would take defense at this point.

There is not much to say, the Cubs are trying to give the Division away, along with home field, but the Brewers don't want it either, so I think we are safe to get into the playoffs. I just pray that Jim and Lou come to their senses and leave Jim at home for October. I still think he is a Cardinal spy, and I wonder what he has in store for us tonight. Maybe a dropped fly ball or a 6-4-3 double play. Just stop the Madness and Cut Jim Edmonds.

38 to go, Edmonds still here

(AP Photo)

I was ready for a lot of things this season, but this photo wasn't in the plans. Here we have Jim Edmonds getting a curtain call after his two home runs agains the Cardinals last week. Does that sound right?

Many Cub fans have said alot of about Jim, good and bad, but lets look at the overall numbers for the newlywed (remember he got married over the All-Star Break).

Since the trade, Edmonds starts are:

63 Games, 187 ABs

.267/.376/.969 (Avg/OBP/OPS) with 15 HR and 42 RBI.

Overall:

89 Games, 277 ABs

.248/.341/.818 with 16 HR and 48 RBI

After a fantastic June, Jim was ok in July and has been less than stellar in August. He has hit .219 with 3 HR and 9 RBI, while Reed Johnson is killing the ball. Johnson is hitting .314 with 45 RBI. One thing that is working is the platoon. The two combined have 87 RBI, which would lead the team.

We are at the CJE are ready to welcome Edmonds, but aside from his consistent hot-dogging on defense, he has played well at times. We can only hope that the Jim doesn't cost us in the postseason.

No Jim = Cubs Win!

You don't get many better titles than that. In the top of the 9th, Lou had a chance to bring in Jim to pinch hit with a runner at first.

But much to the JOY of the CJE, Lou made the move for Mike "Clutch" Fontenot. Instead of Jim striking out, Mike drew a walk, which led to Derek Lee's RBI single.

Tomorrow's night match up is pretty special. Carlos Zambrano and Ben Sheets take the ball for their respected clubs.

The Cubs could really send a message against with a second-straight victory, which would put the Cubs up 3 games heading to the final two games of the series.

Until tomorrow, GO CUBS!!

Stay Classy Jim!

So, the Cubs rallied to split a four-game series with the Florida Marlins (No thanks to Jim Edmonds).

If you look to the right, you see Jim grandstanding as he climbs the wall on a home run off the bat of Mike Jacobs. He really didn't have a chance on the ball, but he still climbed the Ivy. Anybody have enough of this guy?

At the plate, Jim wasn't much better. He went 0-for-5, while he left 6 men on base, as his average dropped to .236.


The Cubs start a huge (I mean huge) series with the Brewers. Monday will see Ted Lilly and C.C. Sabathia face off. Which should mean that Jim is most likely on the bench in favor of Reed Johnson.




Jim did make one play on Saturday that was positive. He was able to make a diving grab to end the game and keep the save for Jeff Samardzija.

If Jim wasn't so slow, he would have made it standing up. I couldn't find that photo so, I leave you this photo of the Cubs' outfielders getting together after a win.

It's time to go get the Brewers.

Jim Heads to the Alter

The slowest sports day of the year has brought us some good news. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in this story, Jim Edmonds is now married.

Here is the story:

CLAYTON — James Patrick Edmonds and Allison Jayne Raski, both of Creve Coeur, were couple No. 11 of the 25 who got married Wednesday at the St. Louis County Courthouse in Clayton.

Edmonds, now a Chicago Cub, was better known to Cardinals fans for whom he patrolled center field at Busch Stadium for eight years as Jim Edmonds or "Jimmy Ballgame.''

Edmonds, 38, and Raski, 28, tied the knot in the chambers of Judge Michael T. Jamison, who wished the newlyweds good luck after performing the brief ceremony.

Both were casually dressed. Edmonds wore a T-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes. Raski, one observer noted, sported a nice-sized diamond ring.

The couple have a young son, Landon. Raski graduated from high school in Zeigler, a town of about 1,700 in Southern Illinois.

Edmonds played with the Cardinals from 2000 through the 2007 season, and had some key contributions in the 2006 World Series win over the Detroit Tigers. He was traded to the San Diego Padres on Dec. 15, 2007. He was released by the Padres on May 9 and signed by the Cubs on May 15.

After the mid-afternoon wedding, the couple headed for Edmonds' restaurant on Locust Street, F15teen, said Jamison's bailiff, Frank Kelly.

At F15teen later Wednesday afternoon, a hostess was surprised and excited to hear the news of the wedding and the manager said he was unaware of any ongoing celebration.

So Jim is now married. We can only hope that it improves his at bats with the Cubs. After hitting .302 in June, "Lassie" has regressed back to old levels this month with a .206 average. That is just not going to cut it down the stretch. Hopefully, the Cubs are looking for more options in center.

The tide is turning

Tonight I'm going to look at each at bat from Jim Edmonds, who people forget is playing pretty terrible the last four games or so.

Situation: 2nd Inning, 1 on, No Outs:

Result: Jim strikes out on three pitches (looking)

Check out more as the game goes on.

At Bat No. 2

Situation: 4th Inning, No on, No outs:

Result: Falls behind 1-2 and hits a lazy fly ball to Junior.

That makes Jim 0-for his last 13. Time to move on.

At Bat No. 3

Situation: 6th Inning, No on, 1 out:

Result: Jimmy Ballgame (oh please) strikes out (Swinging) 0-for-14 and still going....

Sorry for the interuption

As you noticed the Loather and I have been away. One of us is out the nation, and I was working at Summer Camp with no internet, cell phone, TV and of course no Jim Edmonds. I will have a longer post tomorrow to update our favorite Cub to hate (or at least rag a little). Until then.....


Go Cubs!

Jim's Rosetta Stone

The Cubs are back on the winning track after last night's 7-4 victory over Baltimore. Of course Jim Edmonds was at it again with another home run, giving him five this month and six as a Cub.

Edmond's line so far is .305/.622/.998 (AVG/SLG/OPS) in 28 games. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't think "Lassie" had it in him, but I just can't see him keeping this up. While his play has been a pleasant surprise. Well, pleasant isn't really the word I was looking for. Anyway, Jim's comments in the press need a little work.

Maybe Scott Templeton needed to cover the game for the Orioles, so Jim could have some better quotes. In today's Tribune, Jim said:

"Winning breeds success, or winning breeds all the good things," Edmonds said. "That's why you win, or winning brings that out in you."

Edmonds didn't have an interpreter, so whatever he was trying to say is open to interpretation.

See, even Paul Sullivan is calling him out. What does that mean? That's why you win? No, you win to get this stupid 100-year no championship thing over with.

Well, Jim is probably starting again with Reed Johnson on the DL, and Fukudome nursing a sore left calf, so we can only hope that the Cubs hot play continues and it doesn't come down to Jim.

Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy

(AP)

Ok, it's hard to spin when a guys hits two homeruns in a inning, but we here at CJE are not deterred. Granted, Jim Edmonds hit two home runs yesterday and they were both in the same inning, but How many runs did he drive in? Survey says, "Two". That's right folks, Jim's getting pretty selfish and not driving in anybody else.

How about those other two AB's? Nothing to show for it. I know it looks like I am cherry picking, but I might be. Still it doesn't change the fact, his defense is suspect.

Lastly, what is up with that fan bowing down to Jim? Dude, you can't worship him. That's just wrong on so many levels.

The Cubs go for the sweep tonight and no doubt that Jim "Lassie" Edmonds will be in the lineup.

Two in a row, but........

The Cubs have lost two one-run games in a row. Granted, they are still 18 game over .500 and still lead by 3.5 games. But all of the sudden the Cubs are visiting the trainer a little too much.

Here is a list of players currently on the DL or could be heading there:

Daryle Ward - Bad Back - who knows when we get his bat back and we really need. (I.E. Micah Hoffpauir's rook AB the last two nights).

Alfonso Soriano - Broken Finger - Probably not coming back until late July.

Carlos Zambrano - Shoulder - Oh please, oh please be nothing. We can't afford to be without Z for a long period of time.

Reed Johnson - Bad Back - our second player to come up lame with his back, but this would mean even more time for Jim Edmonds....oh wait I left somebody off the list.

Jim Edmonds - Bad foot, swing, defense, morals - Jim really just has a bad "arch" on his foot. Come on, sounds a bit fishy to me. Just when Jim was showing signs of life, he comes down when the Cubs are actually counting on him. I hate say it, but "I TOLD YOU SO!" He does have all those other things, but I can only prove the foot, defense and swing things, but we here at the CJE have PI's out and about trying to gather information about his morals.

Well, if we can't Cut Jim Emonds, maybe we can just DL him.

New Elements

The Cubs are playing in Cooperstown today, even though they don't want to play according to many, many, many sources. As for us at the CJE, we are happy, because Jimmy probably won't play today, since his old bones need a day off. So, parents make sure your children are safe today.

As for us, we are adding a new element to the page that will keep us updated on Jim in small doses. Until tomorrow, Go Cubs!

Edmonds at it again

The staff here are CJE.com is preparing for the day when Jim Emonds' showboating comes back and hurt us. In a year where we are trying to win a championship there is no room for this tidbit of information from the Tribune:

Another head-scratching decision came when Hobbs credited Rod Barajas with a double on a ball Jim Edmonds used to catch with his eyes closed. Edmonds was showboating, trying to make a basket catch, and simply dropped it. Hobbs later changed the hit to an error.

The story is about Toronto's scorekeeper, who made some questionable calls, one of which almost took Jim off the hook. Folks, even though he is hitting, he will cost us a big game - count on it.

Even Neifi hit a big homer once...

Let's be clear: I was very happy to see that ball sneak into the basket. For that matter, I'll even admit to considering the possibility of a game-winning grand-slam while the Braves were changing pitchers. I called my co-author to discuss the possibility as I drove home from work. Fortunately, Lou had the good sense to send Reed in to win the game Homer Simpson style.

But let's not go crazy. Edmonds gets no credit for the sac fly. It was a better outcome than his usual strikeout or soft ground ball, but our friends at Fan Graphs say it did essentially nothing towards winning the game. (Because a decent player would have at least had the possibility of, you know, getting a hit or something.)

But still, he did hit that homer and we did win the game. Neifi Perez hit homers. Bill Bergen hit homers. And today, Jim Edmonds hit one. Good for him- let's see him do it again.

Soriano Out, Edmonds Stays

With Alfonso's injury and Lassie's two more RBI's it looks like Jim Edmonds will keep trotting out to CF for at least the next six weeks. It should be an interesting six weeks.

Goofus & Gallant

Goofus is an old, out of shape, showboating hack who couldn't play center field even when he was young and healthy, and plays center field like this.	Gallant catches baseballs.

Its Hard to Teach an Old Dog How to Play Defense

In all the excitement over Lassie's "hot" streak (he's up to #107 out of 117 outfielders w/ at least 100 PAs), let's not overlook his defensive contributions. Michael Lichtman does one of the better respected defensive metrics out there, and although he doesn't publish complete stats regularly, he did post some current numbers the other day.

Worst Centerfielders (runs lost per 150 games)

1. Jim Edmonds -38
2. Josh Hamilton -37
3. Vernon Wells -31
4. Mark Kotsay -24
5. Andruw Jones -20

In fact, he is the second worst defensive player in all of baseball, ahead of only Brad Hawpe. Yet again, you're doing a heckuva job Jimmy.

Cubs Held Hostage: Days 20-21

Go figure, Jim doesn't play on Saturday and the Cubs blow a big game. I'm sure it was Jim in the dugout with some mirror looking at himself, making sure he was ready to hit the town that night that somehow reflected in Aramis' eye.

I tell you people, Jim's vanity will also hurt us in the end, as well as his slow bad speed.

On Sunday, Jason Marquis turned in his best start of the year to help the Cubs finish 4-3 on the road trip. Nothing wrong with that. As for our man Jim, he went 0-for-2 with two BB's to see his average dip back to .209.

Day 22 will be a quiet one, since the Cubs are back in Chicago waiting for the Braves. Maybe Jim Hendry is looking for a possible replacement today and we can end this experiment.

Cubs Held Hostage: Day 19

Hello Cubs fans,

I hope not to scare you with this statement, but Jim Edmonds is about to reach his 20th day as a Cubs. That's pretty rough, but at least we keep getting photos like the one on top of this post.

Last night the Cubs were blanked 3-0, thanks in part to Jim playing out of position and getting beat by Jeff Kent. If Pie is playing, Felix snags it to keep it 0-0 and the Cubs win, but instead Jim looks like a fool and waves at a ball that is two-feet to his right.

At the plate, Jim was 1-for-3 with a K, but the hit came with two-outs and nobody on base. All-in-all the Cubs keep their 3.5 game lead, because St. Louis and Milwaukee lost yesterday. Good news, Jim is getting the day off in favor of Reed Johnson.

Cubs Held Hostage: Day 17-18

The Cubs finally lost on Wednesday, thanks in large part to Jim Edmonds of course.

On Wednesday, the only person older than Jim (Greg Maddux) made Edmonds look silly by going 0-for-3 to see his average drop back down to .203. People might say Jim made a great leaping catch to save a run in the 7th, but we at CJE are not fouled. Further examination shows that Edmonds was just hot-dogging it with a pointless leap.

Yesterday, the Cubs won 5-4. Mark DeRosa and Kosuke Fukudome both went yard, while Kerry Wood picked up another save. Jim had a box-score of 2-for-5 that saw his average creep up to .211. Closer look at the box score show that Jim left 3 runners on base and struck out once. He didn't score and made one diving catch that Felix Pie would've had with no problems. Still, we can't be too worried, because the Cubs have the best record in baseball.

More comments, analysis and cutting of Jim Edmonds later.

Why Are the Cubs Playing Well?

A few people might notice that when we the Cubs were first talking about Jim Edmonds the Cubs were 23-16. Not a bad record, but now that the Cubs are 38-21.

So, my question to you: Who do we give credit to for this recent success?

A. Jim Hendry - as much as I like Jim for the Aramis Ramirez theft from the Pittsburgh Pirates, there are times like signing Jason Marquis, not to mention Jim Emonds. We here a CJE (Cut Jim Edmonds) can't give credit Jim for all the success. A little yes, but lets move on.

B. Lou Pinella - Lou has been great for the Cubs. Take last night's verbal lashing of Marquis. Still, Lou has his faults. What faults might that be? Well, he keeps writing in Jim Edmonds in the lineup and we just can't give Lou our total support at this time.

C. Kosuke Fukudome - Now here is a player that we can get behind. The Cubs have become a new team with the man from Japan in right field. He is supporting a .843 OPS and a .408 OBP. While Fukudome has been a big part of the success, he isn't the main reason.

D. Jim Edmonds- come on did you really think he was the reason for our success.

E. Cut Jim Edmonds.com - Was there any doubt? The Cubs were 23-16 the day Loather and I took CJE.com live and to the fans. Since our first day, a day before JE actually took the field, the Cubs are 15-5 folks. They own the best record in baseball and have built a 3.5 game lead over the Cardinals.

Stay tuned for updates as the Loather and I will be watching the game tonight.

Cubs Held Hostage: Day 17

Even Jim Edmonds and felllow Cardinal Jason Marquis can't stop the Cubbie Train from derailing. The Cubs win their 9th straight after a 9-6 win over the Padres to improve to 38-21.

Jim didn't see the field, always a good thing, and Lou was quite upset with Marquis most the night. After Marquis tossed one past D. Lee, Lou said something like, "What the "Bleep" is he doing."

Later on in the game, Lou came out and gave Marquis a stern talking to after he walked another batter.

Ted Lilly and Greg Maddox match up tomorrow, which means Edmonds will be back in the lineup.

Go Cubs!

Cubs Held Hostage: Day 15-16

We here at Cut Jim Edmonds are not fooled about Jim's recent success at the plate. Two more days have passed, and the Cubs have won two more games for a season high 8-game winning streak.

On Sunday, Edmonds went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI in a 5-3 victory over the worst team in the National League. I didn't see the game, but Jim had a triple, but I'm sure it wasn't a true triple. I'm sure somebody misplayed a ball off the wall that would have been a single or double for Jim normally.

Yesterday, Jim found a way to leg out two more doubles. All of the sudden, Jim is hitting for a little power, but remember Petco has some crazy dimensions (Zambrano legged out a stand-up triple).

Overall, Jim has raised his smoking average to a smoking .208. I mean he is blowing away Mendoza at this point.

As a Cub, Edmonds is hitting .286 with an .876 OPS. He has 1 HR and 7 RBI in 12 games with the Cubs. So, he has probably bought himself over few weeks on the roster.

DON'T BE FOOLED. JIM IS GOING TO HURT US. TRUST ME!


Go Cubs!

Cubs Held Hostage- Day 14

Things to remember:
1- The wind was blowing out so hard Henry Blanco could've hit one out.
2- Wait, Henry Blanco did hit one out.
3- The only reason we were down 8-0 in the first place was Edmonds two-run-causing blunder in the third.
4- Even after today, he's still behind 3 of our 4 regular starting pitchers in OPS. And closer to the 4th (Dempster) than the 3rd (Marquis).

I'm happy- no, ecstatic- that we have the best record in baseball. Its just that our lead is less than it would be if Edmonds weren't around, and he can't be trusted to have anything to do with protecting/extending it.

Cubs Held Hostage, Day 12 & 13

Cubs play two, Edmonds doesn't, Cubs win both, Cubs best team in baseball. Under the circumstances, its as much as I could ask for, shy of, you know, cutting Jim Edmonds...

Cubs Held Hostage, Day 11

We should just rename this blog "We told you so." Here's Jim Edmonds' gory performance last night:

Bottom 2nd- Still hitting sixth, works the count to 2-2 before tapping to third.
Bottom 4th- With Fukudome on first, Edmonds goes in the hole 0-2, battles back to 3-2 in an eight pitch at-bat before... popping out to center.
Bottom 6th- Two on, one out. Jimmy pops out to center on a 1-1 pitch.
Bottom 7th- The Cubs rally, plating two runs before Fukudome bats with runners on first and third. With Edmonds decomposing on deck, the Dodgers pitch to Fukudome, who doubles in another run. Edmonds steps up, takes three pitches to go down 1-2, and then rolls one to the first baseman to end the inning.

And now, here's a quick list of selected Cubs, ranked by OPS:

Carlos Zambrano- .829
Ted Lilly- .572
Jason Marquis- .528
Ryan Dempster- .286
Jim Edmonds- .285

That's right, our starting center fielder (who is cherry-picking only PAs where he has the platoon advantage) has a .160 OBP, a .125 SLG, and is being outhit by every regular starting pitcher on the team. We told you so!

Cubs Held Hostage- Days 8-10- Wasted Weekend

The Cubs split four games over the holiday weekend. Let's review Jim Edmonds' "contributions" to the team's efforts.


Friday- Cubs 12, Pirates 3
Cubs blowout win? And Jim Edmonds seated squarely on the bench? What are the odds?? I would say "seated squarely on the bench where he belongs, but of course, he doesn't belong anywhere near a major league team's bench. Let's move on.

Saturday- Pirates 5, Cubs 4
Jim Edmonds gets one plate appearance. In a 4-4 game, he leads off the top of the eleventh pinch-hitting for Kerry Wood. If he homers, the Cubs win the game. If he doubles or triples, he probably scores when Ronny Cedeno singles two batters later and the Cubs win the game. If he at least reaches base, its first-and-third with one down for Soriano after Cedeno's single. But no... he pops out to center. Cubs lose in 14.

Sunday- Pirates 6, Cubs 5
Deja vu. This time, Edmonds pinch-hits for Reed Johnson in the tenth. He somehow gets ahead in the count 3-0, and manages to turn it into a popout to right field. The inning ends, and the Cubs lose in 11. (Note: the game would have never reached extra-innings if Soriano had caught a routine fly ball. There's no way to know if Pinella might have used a defensive replacement, had our best defensive outfielder not been demoted to make room for Jim Edmonds decaying corpse, but I can't say it didn't come to mind.)

Monday- Cubs 3, Pirates 1
Jim Edmonds gets the start, presumably as a reward for his clutch performance over the weekend. With one out and none on in the second, he pops out to center on the first pitch. With one out and none on in the fifth, he gets ahead 2-1 before whiffing on the next two pitches from Chad Billingsley for the K. In the 7th, Chan Ho Park enters the game, and Edmonds manages to scratch out a single, his third total base in 20 AB since joining the Cubs (that's a .150 SLG if you're keeping score at home.) He ends up stranded. Geovanny Soto, recognizing that reaching base would only mean another painful Edmonds at-bat, selflessly strikes out to end the eighth and keep Edmonds from doing any more damage.

So for the weekend, its 1-5, .200 AVG, .200 OBP, .200 SLG, .400 OPS, no runs, no RBI, two chances to win games for the Cubs squandered. This Sun-Times article on the Edmonds situation
suggests that he will get to start the two remaining games in the Dodgers series as well. Let's hope the rest of the team runs up the score enough that he can't find a way to give the game away.

Finally, a sad farewell to Geremi Gonzalez, who was struck by lightning and killed this weekend. I'm sure that was Edmonds fault too, somehow.

Music to My Ears

I jut happened across this little nugget at the Chicago Tribune

It says that Edmonds needs to start hitting or he will be hitting the road. I hate to see our blog be so short-lived. Hell, who are we are kidding, of course we would love to end the blog. I hope it happens real soon.

Cubs Held Hostage: Days 6 & 7

Two days, two losses and too much Jim Edmonds. Folks, I hate to be say "I told you so", but I told you he was done. Look at his lines.

2-for-15, 1 BB

The Cubs are now 4-3 under Emonds and it will only get worse.

The Cubs have the day off and are only 1 game ahead of the Cardinals in the Central.

Cubs Held Hostage: Day 5

Another typical Jim Edmonds night. He casually goes 1-for-5, the one being a single with no pressure. Of course, he grabs some headlines with a over-the-shoulder grab on the stupid hill in Houston. All I have to say is that Felix Pie would've been camped under it and made it routine.

Some how, the Cubs fight off the bad Edmonds karma and win 7-2. A key stat coming into the game: Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez were a combined 0-for-22 for the weekend, but they broke out of the Edmonds spell and busted out tonight.

Result: 1-5 (2-9 overall)
Result: W (7-2)
Cubs Record with Edmonds: 4-1
Standings: 28-17, First Place. 2.5 Games ahead of the Cardinals (Currently ahead of the Padres as of 11:17 p.m.)

Cubs Held Hostage: Day 3

Once again Jim didn't play on Saturday, but how ironic is it that Carlos Zambrano has his worst start of the year? I'm just saying, Jim has ill effects on everybody, including our Ace. I wouldn't be surprised to see Edmonds in the lineup today against a lefty. I know it's a bad idea, but get ready people.

Result:DNP, but preformed some voo-doo on Zambrano
Cubs Result: L (7-6)
Cubs Record with Edmonds: 2-1
Standings: 26-17, First Place. 2 Games ahead of the Cardinals.

Cubs Held Hostage: Day 2

Thankfully, Jim didn't play yesterday and the Cubs won big. With another lefty on the mound, Jim should be out of the lineup once again.


Result:DNP
Cubs Result: W (7-4)
Cubs Record with Edmonds: 2-0
Standings: 25-16, First Place. 2.5 Games ahead of the Astros.

Cubs Held Hostage: Day 1

Day one of the Jim Edmonds' era started today at Wrigley Field. In an odd move, Lou batted Edmonds 6th behind Kosuke Fukudome, which I don't think is the point of signing the aging blunder.
It didn't matter as the Cubs won 4-0 thanks to a break out inning, but we're not here to talk about the Cubs. We're here to talk about Edmonds, the Cardinal spy that was sent here to ruin our run at a World Series title.

Edmonds actually got a pretty good welcome, with many fans standing up to cheer. In the second inning, Edmonds picked up his lone hit after dumping a Maddox pitch into left. That was the good, because over the next three at bats.

In the fourth inning, Edmonds bounced into a inning-ending double play.

In the fifth inning, Fukudome was walked to get to Edmonds, who promptly flew out to center. He biggest chance came with the bases loaded in the seventh in which he faced a lefty. Things didn't go well for him as he was totally fooled on two pitches and struck out.

Result: 1-4. 7 LOB. (.250 Avg.)
Cubs Result: W (4-0)
Cubs Record with Edmonds: 1-0
Standings: 25-16, First Place. 1.5 Games ahead of the Astros.

Hendry: "No negative in it"

Late last night, the Cubs signed Jim Edmonds to a contract. Of course the Cards and Padres are on the hook for most of the 7.7 Million, but the Cubs will pay him about 290,000 and some change.

I was reading the quote from the Tribune story:

"There is really no negative in it," (Jim) Hendry said. "You're not giving up
players. You're not spending a lot of dollars, so you look at things like that
and, hopefully, he'll be able to give us at least a great portion of the Jim
Edmonds we all knew and used to fear in a lot of ways."

I've always liked Hendry, but sometimes his moves just puzzle me. On one hand, he fleeced L.A. and Pittsburgh during the 2003 season after aquiring Eric Karros, Mark Grudzielanek, Aramis Ramirez and Kenny Lofton for the likes of Todd Hundley, Jose Hernandez and Bobby Hill. Those were some great deals.

But then, he doesn't give players like Matt Murton and Felix Pie chances to play. Not to mention signing Jason Marquis and J. JonesSome young players have to play to develop. Guys like Geovanny Soto are rare. Only time will tell how this turns out, but I don't see too many positives.

The Dark Days are Here

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Jim Edmonds (AKA the Anti-Christ) is now a Chicago Cubs. What started out as a nasty rumor three days ago, is now truth. I'm not sure what pictures Edmonds has on Jim Hendry and Lou Pinella, but they must be good. 

When I was asked to come on board to Cut Jim Edmonds, I jumped at the chance and quickly dropped all other responsibilities to come on board and get the news out. Edmonds Loather and I will provide you with daily status reports, while keeping a watchful eye on the latest Cardinal Spy to hit Chicago. 

Cubs Record Before Signing: 24-16. First Place, 1 game ahead of St. Louis

Cubs Record since Signing: No games played

Cub Nation Held Hostage: Day 0

This is a blog created by two Cubs fans absolutely sickened by the prospect of Jim Edmonds playing for the Cubs. News reports indicate he will be bringing his unique blend of glacial bat speed, one-dimensional outfield range, and Paul O'Neill-esque whining to the Cubs when he clears waivers tonight. We will attempt to chronicle the nightmare from the moment this nightmare begins until the moment when it finally, blissfully ends. That day can't come soon enough.