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Taking Back Chicago-A Cubs Dynasty


HCaray

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After a long time on this site, and spending a lot of time reading everyone's great dynastys, I've decided, finally, to start my own. I'll be using my beloved Chicago Cub's.

A Few Things:

I'm in college, and don't have enough time to play all 162 games, so I will only be playing only home games, and simulating roadtrips. Unless one of the following applys:

1. I'm way back in the division, and the team is loosing a lot on the road.

2. Interleague Play

3. The Playoffs(fingers crossed)

It's difficult to stay interested when it's not realistic, so when trades are made in "real life", I will temporarily turn off budgets, fair trades, trade deadline, and make the trades, then put them back on.

Also, since Mark Prior is out for god knows how long, and Kerry Wood may be out until late April, early May, and Wade Miller is also on the D/L, I won't be using them at the start of the season.

The Line:

Latest Ultimate Rosters

All Star

2006 schedule

Latest Progression Mod

Sliders:My Own

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Payroll:$97.0m

Opening Day Line-up:

1.Juan Pierre-CF

2.Todd Walker-2B

3.Derrek Lee-1B

4.Aramis Ramirez-3B

5.Jacque Jones-RF

6.Michael Barrett-C

7.Matt Murton-LF

8.Ronny Cedeno-SS

9.Carlos Zambrano-P

Bench:

John Mabry

Jerry Hairston Jr.

Henry Blanco

Neifi Perez

Marquis Grissom

Rotation:

Carlos Zambrano

Glendon Rusch

Greg Maddux

Jerome Williams

Angel Guzman

Bullpen:

Ryan Dempster:CL

Will Ohman

Bob Howry

Scott Eyre

Michael Wuertz

Scott Williamson

Roberto Novoa

Manager:

Dusty Baker

Possibly seeing major league time this year:

Felix Pie

Sean Marshall

Jae-Kuk Ryu

John Koronka

Todd Wellemeyer

Geovany Soto

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Chris De Luca, Chicago Sun Times:

"With key players such as Mark Prior and Kerry Wood on the disabled list before the season even begins, the Cubs already have some catching up to do. Angel Guzman had a fantastic spring and beat out Rich Hill, Sean Marshall, and Jae-Kuk Ryu for the final spot in the rotation. But he's untested at the major league level, and has a history of being injured himself. The Cubs won't need a fifth starter until mid-April, due to having 3 days off in the first 2 weeks of the season. Time will tell what Guzman is made of.

Derrek Lee will need to duplicate his performance of a year ago if the Cubs are going to contend. With youngsters such as Ronny Cedeno, and Matt Murton starting everyday, the Cubs may struggle with scoring runs. And if the pitching staff doesn't fare well, the Cubs may struggle with wins.

Todd Walker, the subject of spring trade rumors will play second against righties, and Jerry Hairston Jr. will hit against lefties. But if Walker struggles in the field, or the Cubs find a suiter for him, Hairston will play everyday.

With the White Sox World Series win, there is great pressure on manager Dusty Baker to not only put together a winning season, but go deep into the playoffs. As Susan Sarandon says in Bull Durham- "It's a long season, and you gotta trust it." This reporter isn't holding his breath."

Preview:

The Cubs open the season against the Reds. President George W. Bush to throw out first pitch.

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Carlos Zambrano will take on Eric Milton in Game 1

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While Glendon Rusch will duel Aaron Harang in Game 2

updates to follow

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W/L(1-1)

Simulated the first two games of the season. Road series against the Reds.

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The Cub's travel to Wrigley and play the Cards for their home opener.

Greg Maddux is scheduled to face off against Jeff Suppan.

Each week of the season I will have a movie trivia question from Chicago's own Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper.

This week's movie quote is:

"Two in the box, ready to go, we be fast, and they be slow!"

The first to guess the correct answer gets a free round of drinks at the Cubby Bear*

*This offer not valid in all 50 states, any country or provence.

updates coming...

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W/L(2-1)

Greg Couch, Chicago Sun Times:

The Chicago Cubs held their home opener on Friday against last year's division winner, the St. Louis Cardinals. With overcast conditions, and the temperature in the 40's, the Cub's beat their arch-nemisis in extra innings.

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Greg Maddux pitched a gem by holding the Cards to 1 run through 7 innings. Maddux gave up 7 hits, while striking out 5, and walking none.

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Derrek Lee tied the game in the bottom of the second with a solo shot, his third longball of the young season. Lee went 4 for 5 with 2 RBI's on the day.

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The game went to the bottom of the 12th. Niefi Perez pinch hit for Scott Eyre and flied out to right. Juan Pierre singled to left, and stole second. Jerry Hairston Jr. was intentionally walked. Last year's triple crown contender, Derrek Lee, came up and singled to right, scoring Pierre from second. The fan's went home happy today.

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W/L(3-1)

Fred Mitchell, Chicago Tribune:

Today the Cubs needed only 9 to take care of the Cards. Jerome Williams gets the win over Sidney Ponson. Even with Walker in the line-up, the Cub's defense was outstanding, turning 4 double plays.

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Jerome Williams goes off in his first start of the season. Sitting down 5 Cards, while giving up 7 hits, and throwing a complete game shutout in his first outing of the season.

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Dusty Baker: "I saw how great he can pitch when I was with the Giants, and when the opportunity to get him here came up in the Hawkins deal, I was excited. He has always had the talent, and hopefully he'll realize it for a full season."

Shortstop Ronny Cedeno homered on a 2-0 hanging slider off Sidney Ponson in the 4th. Combined with William's performance, that would be all the Cub's needed.

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They continued the run parade when Aramis Ramirez hit a 2 run dinger in

the 5th.

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Aramis Ramirez is now tied with Derrek Lee for the team lead in homeruns with 3, in only the first 4 games of the season.

Juan Pierre drove in 2 on a triple in the 7th.

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It can't be all good news on the north side. Chicago Cub's new right fielder, Jacque Jones, got only his second hit of the season, and is now batting .105 with zero RBI's, and zero walks.

Jacque Jones: "Look, it's still early, and I haven't played in this league before. I'm not worried. Things are gonna pick up."

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The Cub's close out the series on Sunday. Cub's ace Carlos Zamrano makes his second start of the season against Card's ace Chris Carpenter.

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W/L(3-2)

Jay Mariotti, Chicago Sun Times:

The Cubs entered Sunday with a chance to sweep the Cardinals and go 4-1 on the season. And until the 9th, it looked like they were going to.

Carlos Zambrano made his second start of the season. He pitched very well, going 7 innings, and striking out 7, while walking none. He left the game with his team leading 2-0.

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Aramis Ramirez's double drove in Juan Pierre and Todd Walker in the bottom half of the first. After that the Cubs went into sort of a slumber on offence. They had Carpenter on the ropes early, but couldn't deliver the knockout.

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Carpenter kept the Cards close the rest of the game. He stuck out 5, while giving up 6 hits and also going 7.

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Closer Ryan Dempster made his first appearance of the season. He entered the 9th looking for his first save opportunity. He ended up getting his first blown save of the year when So Taguchi's triple drove in 2, and tied the game.

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So, for the second time this year, the Cub's played extra baseball as Card's closer, Jason Isringhausen, shut the door in the bottom of the ninth.

In the top of the 10th, Cardinal short stop, David Eckstein, hit a solo homerun off Michael Wuertz. Isringhausen pitched the bottom of the inning and earned the win.

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The Cincinnati Reds come to town next. Glendon Rusch will make his second start.

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Yeah, thanks man. The funny part is, I never dive for balls, I usually just let them drop. But on Taguchi's triple, I dove and it rolled all the way to the wall. Just tried to do to much I guess.

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W/L(3-3)

Bob Verdi, Chicago Tribune:

As if the Cubs didn't already have enough injury worries, with Mark Prior and Kerry Wood on the D/L, starter Glendon Rusch took a line drive to his left shin off the bat of Adam Dunn in the 7th inning of today's game.

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The Red scored the only run they would need when Ken Griffey Jr. hit a solo homerun in the top of the 4th. He's batting very well so far, hitting .292 with 4 homeruns, and 11 RBIs.

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Eric Milton got a bit of revenge against the team that lit him of on opening day. Milton struck out 9 in only 6 2/3 innings. He allowed no runs.

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With one out in the 6th, Ryan Freel hustled for a triple. The Cubs then walked Felipe Lopez to set up the double play. They got the ground ball they needed, but Griffey beat out the throw, and Freel scored from third. The Reds went on to win the game 2-0.

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Next Game: Greg Maddux v.s. Aaron Harang.

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Cub's Make Roster Moves:

After less than two weeks of this new season, Chicago Cub Marquis Grissom retires after 17 major league seasons. Grissom made the major league club in spring training, but after going 0/1 in his only appearance this year, he decided to hang it up:

"When it's time, it's time," Grissom said. "I think this is the best thing for me, at this point, to officially hang the cleats up and go home and enjoy the second half of my life and do things I've always wanted to do."

The Cubs called up rookie Angel Pagan to take Grissom's place on the bench. Pagan, 24, has spent his entire career in the New York Met's minor league system.

Also, the Cubs dealt minor leaguer pitcher Todd Wellemeyer to the Florida Marlins RHP Lincoln Holdzkom and LHP Zach McCormack.

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Cub's Make Roster Moves:

After less than two weeks of this new season, Chicago Cub Marquis Grissom retires after 17 major league seasons. Grissom made the major league club in spring training, but after going 0/1 in his only appearance this year, he decided to hang it up:

"When it's time, it's time," Grissom said. "I think this is the best thing for me, at this point, to officially hang the cleats up and go home and enjoy the second half of my life and do things I've always wanted to do."

The Cubs called up rookie Angel Pagan to take Grissom's place on the bench. Pagan, 24, has spent his entire career in the New York Met's minor league system.

Also, the Cubs dealt minor leaguer pitcher Todd Wellemeyer to the Florida Marlins RHP Lincoln Holdzkom and LHP Zach McCormack.

That happened in ur game and in real life. I'll definitly follow this one! Great job man with keepin the rosters up-to-date and stuff. In Phili the Cubs are the second fav team.

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W/L(4-3)

Chris De Luca, Chicago Sun Times:

The Cubs picked up a win today to even the season series against the Reds. Greg Maddux pitched his second great start of the year, proving he "ain't done yet". Maddux went 7 2/3 innings, striking out 8, while allowing no runs. Juan Pierre and Ronny Cedeno both had huge days at the plate today. It all started when Pierre drove in Cedeno from second in the bottom of the 3rd, and again in the 5th. With the bases loaded in the the 6th, Red's starter Aaron Harang walked Greg Maddux, and the Cubs scored their third run of the game. Next, Red's LF Ryan Freel, misplayed a Pierre shot, which emptied the bases, and landed Pierre at third. The Cub's went up 6-0, and never looked back.

Maddux pitches a gem...

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Cedeno lit a fire under himself, and the Cubs. He went 3-4 and scored 2 runs...

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Ryan Freel's error opens the door to a Cub's win...

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The Cub's celebrate the end of their 2 game loosing streak...

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Next game: Jerome Williams(1-0) v.s. Bronson Arroyo(0-0)

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W/L(5-3)

Phil Rogers, Chicago Tribune:

Derrek Lee started off the bottom of the first with a solo shot, his 4th of the year. That was all the action til' the 6th, when Matt Kata scored from 2nd on a Ken Griffey Jr. single. Dusty Baker argued the call, and was tossed. A later review showed that Baker was right, and Kata was tagged before touching home. The score was 1-1 in the bottom of the 6th, when Todd Walker slapped a double and was driven home by DLee. Jerry Hairston Jr. pinch hit for Todd walker in the 8th and belted a homer off Brandon Claussen, to make it 3-1 Cubs. Closer Ryan Dempster made only his second appearance of the season, his first since blowing his only other opportunity, to get the save.

Notes: After just barely making the 25 man roster, Jerome Williams won his second game of the year. He has allowed 1 earned run in 16.0 innings.

DLee's solo shot opens up the scoring...

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Dusty made the right call, but the umps didn't, he was ejected...

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Jerome Williams goes 2-0, after two amazing performances...

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Ryan Dempster celebrates his first save of the year...

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Road trip coming up. simulation results coming...

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Cubs Make A Roster Move:

Projected 5th starter Angel Guzman was sent down to triple A, and Sean Marshall was called up to fill out the injury plagued rotation. It was close all spring as to which one would get the job, and Guzman was given the job. But the Cubs decided to go with a 4 man rotation for the first two weeks of the season, and Guzman has been sitting on the bench, while Marshall has been ripping up triple A. Manager Dusty Baker decided to make the switch an hour after the Red's series. Marshall will make his first major league start this Friday in Pittsburg.

I intend on simulating road trips, but I will play this game, due to it being Marshall's first start.

results coming...

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Had to sim the first game, forgot that Sean Marshall still had 1 game left of his suspension in triple A. Rich Hill got the start against Zach Duke.

The lost the game. Rich hill went only 5 innings, and gave up 4 runs.

Zach Duke went 7, stuck out 8, and gave up 1 run on 3 hits.

Playing Sean Marshall v.s. Victor Santos.

updates coming...

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W/L(6-4)

Sean Marshall made his major league debut tonight, and the verdict is in...

the kid can pitch. Marshall went 6 strong innings. He gave up 6 hits, with 1 earned run, struck out 6, and showed excellent control, walking 0. The offence showed up as well. Michael Barrett drove in Aramis Ramirez from 1st on a misplayed double to lead off the 2nd inning. Ramirez then hit a solo shot in the 3rd, and center fielder Juan Pierre hit his own solo HR in the 4th. Then Derrek Lee smashed a two run homer in the 4th. The giants picked up a run in the 7th, when the Pirates loaded the bases to start the inning. Scott Eyre came in and allowed on 1 Pirated to cross the plate.

Injury Note: Matt Murton fractured his right hand sliding into second base in the 6th inning. He will be out for 44days. John Mabry, Angel Pagan, and Jerry Hairston JR. will platoon in left field until Cubs GM Jim Hendry, and manager Dusty Baker decide if a trade needs to be made to strengthen the outfield.

Marshall showed, injuries to the rotation or not, he deserves to be in this rotation...

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Pierre celebrates his first homerun in a Cubs' uniform...

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Aramis Ramirez went 3-4, with a HR, and scored 2 runs...

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DLee hits a 2 run shot. He is currently leading the team in HR's, and RBI's...

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Will simulate the rest of the road trip, and post results...

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The Cubs first roadtrip of the year went well, considering the current health of the team, going 5-4. They won 2 of 3 from the Pirates, lost 2 of 3 to the Dodgers, and took 2 of 3 from the Cardinals. That puts them at 11-7 on the year. They are currently tied for second place in the NL Central with the Reds. The Astros lead the division at 14-5.

They Cubs open up a home stand when the Marlins come to town tomarrow.

Jerome Williams v.s. Scott Olsen

updates to come...

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Nice job so far, although you shouldn't have to take back Chicago, it's already and will always be Cubbies town :)

Thanks man. I hope posting a dynasty on here will actually get me to finish one. I agree about the Cubs being #1 in Chicago, I just couldn't think of another name for my dynasty except- "Next year is here", and I think that one was already taken.

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