March 29, 2011

Sun-Times Cashner’s workload will be monitored By: GORDON WITTENMYER

MESA, Ariz. — So Andrew Cashner is the fifth starter. Now what?

The Cubs’ top young has done enough this spring to indicate he’ll succeed in his new role. But how deep into the season? For how many innings?

The former college spent most of last season in the Cubs’ . And no matter how well he pitches, his workload will be closely watched after never having pitched more than 1111/3 innings in a season. In fact, his three-year professional total is only 1771/3.

“It’s more so based on the number of pitches and how hard he’s working each game vs. the number of innings,’’ pitching coach Mark Riggins said. “Also, it’s how a guy bounces back. Some guys can handle a heavy workload and recover in four days, and some guys don’t recover, as well. He recovers very well. . . .

“But obviously we get to midseason, and we’ve got to see where his innings are. We’re constantly watching that.’’

As the Cubs’ minor-league pitching coordinator until his promotion this season, Riggins oversaw Cashner’s original transition to starter in the minors in 2009.

Riggins also cites numerous studies about ’ workloads and risks associated with building high innings totals, whether it’s a veteran coming off an injury or a young kid. He said Cashner’s profile bodes well. The Cubs might still look for places to skip him in the rotation as the season goes on. Notes

Right-hander Angel Guzman, the Cubs’ best reliever in 2009 who’s trying to beat long odds to return from extensive shoulder surgery, pitched in a game Monday for the first time since ’09. On a strict 20-pitch count, he lasted only two-thirds of an inning because of sloppy play behind him but held up.

Jeff Baker, who has been sidelined for much of the last week with a tight hamstring, is scheduled to start today in the Cubs’ last Cactus League game.

Catcher Welington Castillo was optioned to Class AAA Iowa, and the Cubs have put non-roster catcher Max Ramirez on waivers (in hopes of sending him to minor-league camp), officially finalizing their 25-man roster.

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Sun-Times Zambrano tried to lend support to his friend Silva By: GORDON WITTENMYER

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — One day after the unconditional release of a finger-pointing, perspective-challenged Cubs pitcher, was the voice of sympathy and calm, if not reason.

For real.

“It was kind of sad. He was sad, too,’’ Zambrano said of the conversation he had with longtime friend and former Venezuelan winter-league teammate Carlos Silva after Silva’s release Sunday. “I spoke to him, and he was kind of worried. He didn’t want to talk about it much, but I just gave him some good words.

“I told him just to be confident, that he’ll get another job and I know he can play for another team.’’ Those close to Silva — whose criticism of the team after failing to make the roster prompted the quick release — say he’s nervous and disappointed, and constantly monitoring a phone he typically ignores. He is expected to clear waivers Wednesday morning, after which teams are free to sign him for the major- league minimum ($414,000).

“I wish him the best,’’ Zambrano said. “We will keep in touch.’’

Meanwhile, the other big Carlos who opened spring training with something to prove has had the kind of easy, businesslike demeanor and production during camp that has team officials saying they believe this is the new leaf that finally stays turned over.

Is he actually “cured,’’ as he proclaimed last month when asked about the results of months of anger- management counseling last year?

The proof, of course, will be in the next six months, when it counts. And when he’ll be looking for his first season uninterrupted by a major meltdown in at least three years (if you don’t count the Gatorade cooler homicide in Los Angeles in ’08).

For now, he departs one of his smoothest spring trainings prepared for an unaccustomed second-day start to the season after six consecutive assignments.

“I had my chance,’’ he said when asked how weird it will be to sit while somebody else pitches Friday’s opener. “Now it’s [Ryan] Dempster’s chance, and he deserves it. Dempster was pitching for the last two years [as the] No. 2, and he did a good job. It’s about doing the job. It’s not about who’s this guy or what number you are in the rotation.’’

Signed to that $91.5 million extension in the summer of 2007 to be the Cubs’ ace over the next five years, Zambrano might not have lived up to that billing. But the teammate he has been since finishing anger therapy — and certainly the pitcher he has been since returning from a six-week exile after the South Side tirade last year — is more than enough for the Cubs this season.

In his last spring start Monday, he was forced to pitch around mistakes in the field during a two-run fifth but didn’t seem to flinch.

“Spring training,’’ he said with a smile afterward. “Even when it’s during the [regular season], I just want to worry about what I do.

‘‘My job here is to pitch, not to criticize or do other things. Just pitch.’’

While nobody’s counting on a full season like that 8-0, 1.41-ERA finish last year, Zambrano said his body and mind are ready for when it counts.

“Let’s get it on,’’ he said.

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Sun-Times Castro has one sweet assignment BY: ELLIOTT HARRIS

Life is sweet for Starlin Castro. About as sweet as the Sprinkles cupcakes that the Cubs shortstop will be helping to sell Saturday.

He is scheduled to be at the Sprinkles store, 50 E. Walton, from 4 to 6 p.m. as a celebration of the start of the season with red velvet cupcakes ($3.50 each) featuring the Cubs logo. They went on sale Monday, with all of the proceeds from Cubs cupcakes purchases going to Cubs Charities.

And you thought the Pirates would be the only cupcakes on the Cubs’ schedule this week?

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Daily Herald Silva release just another Cubs diversion By: MIKE IMREM

After a century of futility, even a positive Cubs move is aggravating.

Carlos Silva’s departure punctuates what a remarkable business model this sports franchise has concocted.

The Cubs are sort of like the auto dealership that charges a customer thousands of dollars over list for a new car and then throws in a coupon for a half-price oil change.

Silva’s release is the Cubs’ version of a half-price oil change, so let’s take a wider view than simply applauding them for dumping him.

You know, a view that first reminds that the Cubs haven’t won a World Series for 103 years but are champions of diversion.

Silva has been a terrible major-league pitcher for years and wildly overpaid. Unprofessional while with the Cubs, he initiated a dugout dust-up during spring training and then scorched pitching coach Mark Riggins on the way out.

But here’s what is being lost in all this: Silva was a bad guy but not the worst issue.

As an isolated case, the Silva controversy would be OK; in the context of Cubs history it’s just more of the same nonsense.

The White Sox engage in feuds with departed players like Bobby Jenks and Magglio Ordonez, but there’s a difference.

The Sox have won something, specifically the World Series as recently as 2005. So, suggestion to the Cubs: Win something.

As is, Silva is a sand pebble in the Cubs’ desert of dysfunction, a teardrop in their tsunami of terrible, a blink in a century of sad.

With and without Silva, the Cubs haven’t been able to win a World Series since 1908 or even qualify for one since 1945.

Silva was merely an itch to the rash that infects everything and everybody the Cubs have come in contact with for more than a century.

The way Silva departed conveniently obscured to a large extent how he arrived.

Remember, a year ago the Cubs had to choose between the lesser of two evils and Silva was a preferable booby prize to Milton Bradley, whom they inexplicably signed for big money a year earlier.

The Cubs no longer could tolerate Bradley’s boobism and wasteland of a contract. They traded him to Seattle for Silva’s boobism and wasteland of a contract.

Now the Cubs couldn’t tolerate Silva’s boobism any longer, couldn’t trade him for even another boob and finally released him.

So it’s odd that the Cubs are applauded for eating the $11.5 million that Silva had coming to him and cleaning up a mess they created.

Listen, neither Silva nor Bradley was the reason the Cubs haven’t won anything significant in most of our lifetimes.

Bad management has been. That and, of course, the hexes and jinxes and curses and other sideshows that comfortably reside in Wrigley Field’s crannies.

Anyway, all that matters is that Silva, like Bradley and other previous diversions, made big news over the weekend and eclipsed that the Cubs remain the Cubs until proven otherwise.

In the meantime, the Cubs still haven’t won a World Series since 1908 or played in one since 1945.

Hardly any of the drought was Carlos Silva’s fault, but reports of the past few days sure made it seem that it was.

How Cubbie all this is, don’t you think?

OK now, folks, go back to enjoying your half-price oil change and trying not to get too aggravated with the Cubs this season.

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Cubs.com Zambrano tunes up with final Cactus outing By: Carrie Muskat

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Carlos Zambrano tuned up for the regular season by pitching five innings against the Indians on Monday and overlooked some plays that weren't made behind him.

"This is Spring Training," said Zambrano, whose next start for the Cubs will count, Saturday at Wrigley Field against the Pirates. "I want to worry about what happens in that little circle. I want to worry about what I do.

"There's nothing I can do when people don't execute double plays or people don't make plays. My job here is to pitch, and not to criticize or do any other thing. Just pitch."

That's a good sign by Zambrano, who missed time last season when he was ordered to undergo anger management therapy.

Zambrano gave up four runs on four hits and five walks against the Indians.

"The most import thing is how I feel, how my arm responds," he said. "So far this Spring Training, my body has responded good. Let's get it on. Let's do what we can do and what we're capable of doing."

Zambrano started the previous six Opening Days for the Cubs, but he is No. 2 this year as Ryan Dempster gets Friday's season opener.

"I had my chance," Zambrano said. "Now it's Dempster's chance, and he deserves it. It doesn't matter. Dempster was pitching for the last two years No. 2 and he did a good job. It's about doing a good job. It's not about who's this guy or what position or number you are in the rotation. It doesn't matter. I'm just going to be there and do my job. That's what I want to do."

What has also changed is the departure of Zambrano's friend and teammate, Carlos Silva, who was released on Sunday.

"It's kind of sad," Zambrano said. "I spoke to him and I was kind of worried. He didn't want to talk about much. I just gave him some good words. I told him just to be confident you'll get another job. I know he can play for another team. I wish him the best, and we will keep in touch."

Marshall enjoying VCU's run to Final Four

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- That cheering you heard Sunday from the Cubs' clubhouse was Sean Marshall rooting for his alma mater, Virginia Commonwealth University, in the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

VCU upset top-seed Kansas, 71-61, while the Cubs were facing the Rockies on Sunday in a Cactus League game. Marshall commandeered the remote control for the clubhouse television.

"I was flipping in between WGN [TV] and CBS yesterday, and I was the only person in here cheering during our game," Marshall said.

Marshall sent a text message to the VCU athletic director after the game and told him the Cubs were supporting the Rams in this coming weekend's Final Four.

"I told him, 'Keep it up, you're almost there,'" Marshall said. "They've been flying under the radar, but I don't think so anymore."

Marshall attended VCU from 2001-03 and was drafted during his junior year by the Cubs.

Extra bases

The Cubs optioned catcher Welington Castillo to Triple-A Iowa, reducing their spring roster to 26 players. The team is expected to break camp with and as the two catchers. The spring roster includes 12 pitchers, three catchers, six infielders and five outfielders. Max Ramirez is the other catcher in camp, and he is out of options. ... Jeff Baker, sidelined with tightness in his left hamstring, will start at second base and lead off on Tuesday when the Cubs play their last Cactus League game against the D-backs. ... Angel Guzman, rehabbing from right shoulder surgery, threw 20 pitches Monday in two- thirds of an inning in a Minor League game in Peoria, Ariz. If there are no setbacks, he will keep pitching every fifth day. ... Blake DeWitt, who has been used exclusively at second base this spring, will play third Tuesday and Wednesday.

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Cubs.com Baird puts heart and soul into Wrigley's turf By: Carrie Muskat

It's all about the grass for Roger Baird.

For the last 15 years, Baird has been in charge of the turf at Wrigley Field. And if you think the players are excited about Opening Day, they can't match Baird's enthusiasm.

"It's like Christmas," he said.

The head groundskeeper for the Cubs, Baird, 50, starts checking the National Weather Service forecast for Opening Day more than one month before the actual date. This year, the Cubs will kick off the 2011 campaign at home April 1 against the Pirates. It'll be the 13th time they've opened the season at home since 1979, which was Baird's first year working at Wrigley. He was in college then and needed a part- time job.

"I thought I'd do this for a couple years," he said.

He took over all groundskeeping duties full time midseason in 1995, and will begin the 2011 season after his most challenging winter. In a normal offseason, Baird works on the field up until Thanksgiving, then lets nature take over. There are 60 members of the grounds crew during the season, but only three stay year-round.

After the Cubs' Sept. 26 game, their last at Wrigley in 2010, Baird's focus shifted.

"It was 100 percent different," he said. "After the last baseball game, we went right into football mode."

Wrigley couldn't rest this offseason because of the Nov. 20 college football game between Northwestern and Illinois. The crew had to tear out the pitcher's mound and the mounds in the and remove all of the infield clay. Left-field foul territory needed to be raised by eight inches to make it level, which required 40 tons of sand.

New grass was needed, and although some Cubs opponents might doubt this, it had to be thicker to handle the bigger, heavier football players. Each piece of sod weighed 3,000 pounds, and the crew used a machine to lay it but needed manpower to make sure the seams were tight.

And they had to make it look good.

"I never realized with Northwestern how much purple there is," Baird said.

They painted the end zone purple and the sideline purple. It took more than one coat.

When the football game ended, Baird and crew had to reverse the process. The Cubs' front office gave him permission to re-sod the entire field, and that started two days after the game was over. He bought grass from Colorado because the nurseries in the Chicago area didn't have enough. The last piece of grass was put down on Dec. 10.

"I've never laid sod at that time of year in my life," Baird said.

That wasn't all the grounds crew had to deal with. On Feb. 1, nature dumped 20 inches of snow on the Chicago area. Baird wasn't able to go home because somebody needed to clean the parking lot and sidewalks around Wrigley. Most of that melted by early March, except for the right side of the field, which doesn't get as much sun. The crew had to remove some of the snow and ice.

Two weeks before the season opener, Baird still had to build the visitors' bullpen, and he was praying for decent weather. A brief warmup in March helped melt all the snow.

They were able to cross off one item from the long to-do list: They did not re-paint the scoreboard. That's done every other year.

Baird cringed when he saw the Cubs' 2011 schedule.

"I think all groundskeepers do that," he said. "April 1 is mighty early in the Midwest. Roger [Bossard, White Sox groundskeeper] on the South Side and I always talk -- 'Oh, it's your turn this year.' It definitely puts more pressure on you."

There also is no off-day after the home opener, which gives Baird little security in case there is some unwanted precipitation on Opening Day.

"That should almost be a written rule for any outdoor stadium, that there's a grace day," he said.

In 2003, Baird and crew had installed a new field and they were hit with a major snowstorm right before Opening Day.

"I'm crying, 'Don't ruin anything. Don't ruin anything,'" Baird said.

Back to that infield grass. There have always been rumors that it's longer at Wrigley than anywhere else.

"It might be a rumor," Baird said. "I believe we have one of the thickest grasses in baseball. It's not so much the height, it's the thickness. I've learned over my years that pitchers would love to have the grass knee-high. Hitters would like no grass."

Who does he favor?

"I listen to the manager and what he tells me is how we go," Baird said.

During the season, Baird will reluctantly take three or four days off when the Cubs are out of town. Even on those days, he'll sneak down to Wrigley around 6 a.m. for a couple hours.

"If I see the grass, I'm OK," he said.

Baird said he loses 25 to 30 pounds during the course of the season because he worries about the field. He does have some superstitions heading into Opening Day, but wouldn't reveal them.

"I get extremely nervous," he said. "I try not to tell people that. I've always got butterflies and hope everything goes well. 'Did I forget this? Did I forget that?' I'm like a little kid. I'm always happy when Opening Day goes by and nothing goes wrong."

His biggest worry? The weather.

"Only the guy upstairs knows," he said.

His next choice is Chicago forecaster Tom Skilling. There are computers hooked up to the National Weather Service radar under the stands at Wrigley as well.

Two weeks before the season opener, Chicago flirted with unseasonably warm temperatures in the 60s.

Baird and his crew were putting some finishing touches on Wrigley and someone commented that they'd take that weather for Opening Day.

"I'll take the blue sky," Baird said.

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Cubs.com Pena homers, sparks late rally before Cubs fall Zambrano walks five in five innings during final Spring Training start By: Jordan Bastian

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Making his final start of Spring Training, Cubs right-hander Carlos Zambrano labored with his command in a 4-3 loss to the Indians on Monday afternoon at Goodyear Ballpark.

Zambrano, who is penciled in as Chicago's No. 2 starter to open the season, issued five walks over five innings. Along the way, Big Z relinquished four runs (three earned) on four hits with a pair of .

Indians catcher Carlos Santana got things rolling for the Tribe with a single to left field in the second inning and crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly from Matt LaPorta. Orlando Cabrera contributed an RBI double in the fourth inning and the Indians tacked on two more runs in the fifth.

Cleveland right-hander Carlos Carrasco, his team's No. 2 starter as well, pieced together six solid innings in his final tuneup for the regular season. Carrasco yielded just one run on three hits in his time on the hill, adding five strikeouts without issuing a walk.

Chicago's lone run against Carrasco came in the second inning, when first baseman Carlos Pena launched a solo homer to deep right-center field -- his third blast in Cactus League play. For Carrasco, it represented the seventh long ball he has surrendered in 22 2/3 innings this preseason.

The Cubs mounted a rally against Indians closer Chris Perez in the ninth. was hit by a pitch and scored on a double by Pena to trim Cleveland's lead to 4-2. Aramis Ramirez scored from third base on a wild pitch to pull Chicago within a run.

After walking Darwin Barney with two outs, Perez moved to the side of the mound and squatted down due to being light-headed. He was met on the hill by manager Manny Acta and head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff and was promptly pulled from the game. Vinnie Pestano entered in relief and retired Koyie Hill to end the game.

Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore, who is making his way back from microfracture surgery on his left knee, served as the designated hitter in his fourth Cactus League game. Sizemore finished 0-for-3 with two walks, a run scored and a .

Up next for Cubs: Matt Garza makes his final spring start on Tuesday when the Cubs play their last Cactus League game, hosting the D-backs at HoHoKam Park at 3:05 p.m. CT. Jeff Baker is expected back in the lineup and at second base. Baker has been slowed by a tender left hamstring, but the Cubs want him to lead off against lefty Joe Saunders. The game will be broadcast live on Gameday Audio.

Up next for Indians: Right-hander Justin Masterson, who was recently named the Indians' No. 3 starter, will take the mound on Tuesday as the Tribe takes on the Reds in a 3:05 p.m. ET tilt at Goodyear Ballpark. Fans can listen to the game live with Gameday Audio. It will be Cleveland's last Cactus League contest before departing Arizona for Wednesday's exhibition game against Triple-A Columbus in Columbus, Ohio.

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Tribune Fukudome hoping to play well, bring some joy to Japan Crisis in homeland on Cubs right fielder's mind By: Paul Sullivan

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Every morning Kosuke Fukudome wakes up and checks out the latest news from Japan, where the nuclear crisis continues on the heels of the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

It's a helpless feeling, being so far from home and thinking about the daily nightmares his countrymen are experiencing.

Playing baseball seems like a trivial pursuit in the larger scheme of things, but Fukudome hopes he can succeed on the field and bring some joy back to Japan.

"There are only a few things I can do from here," he said Monday through his interpreter "There's not much. The only thing I can do is to just try to play the best I can to give them some good news from the United States — that I'm doing well."

Fukudome said his family is OK and that he can concentrate on his job. But whether he can really put the ongoing crisis completely out of his mind, as the news gets worse, is something no one really knows.

He's well-liked in the Cubs' clubhouse, but Fukudome remains one of the most reserved players on the team.

"It's hard to relate to, (when) something happens in your hometown that's that dramatic," center fielder Marlon Byrd said. "I'm glad his family is safe, but you never know what friends of his have been affected. Fookie is a very quiet guy. He doesn't say much, so you just hope everything is OK with him and it's not affecting him mentally.

"Until you're in that position, you really don't know what a guy is going through."

Fukudome's fourth year in the majors could be a fork in the road in his pro career.

The $48 million contract he signed after the 2007 season ends in October, and he'll probably have to find a new team at a lower salary, or perhaps return to Japan. The large Japanese media contingent that followed him around in 2008 is almost gone, with the exception of a couple of reporters.

What was once a huge story back home is now just a postscript in the Japanese media coverage of native players in the majors.

"I don't really mind who is following me," he said. "It's their job. My job is to play baseball. That's what I do."

Fukudome never became the star the Cubs believed he would be, and he heads into this season sharing playing time in right field with Tyler Colvin.

But manager Mike Quade is giving Fukudome the chance to become the leadoff hitter against right- handed pitching, pointing to his penchant for hot starts in April. The spot is not guaranteed, but Quade has kept him there despite a subpar spring.

"I just need to put my effort into it and do the best I can," Fukudome said. "That's all I can do."

Having Quade as manager instead of Lou Piniella has made Fukudome seem more relaxed. The two are kindred spirits, and Quade has made an effort to get through the language barrier.

"It's better for me to have somebody who actually knows me for a long time, compared to (hiring a) new manager," Fukudome said. "I think he understands me better."

Fukudome bought a downtown condo in the offseason but said it has nothing to do with the possibility of returning to the Cubs after this season.

He doesn't know where he'll be and said he's not thinking about anything but the present. Fukudome has no regrets over his decision to sign with the Cubs, turning down offers from the Padres, Giants and White Sox. He and his family like Chicago, at least from April through October.

"I'm not in Chicago during the winter, so I can't really say it's great then," he said with a grin. "But for me, as far as during the baseball season, it's a great city to live in."

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Tribune Quade doesn't see need to pretend Cubs have speed Manager backs off talk of team running more this season By: Paul Sullivan

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — At the beginning of spring training in mid-February, manager Mike Quade said he'd like to see the Cubs run more in 2011.

But two days before the end of camp, Quade called an audible. Having sent outfielder Fernando Perez to Triple-A Iowa, the Cubs have no stolen-base threats.

"I almost feel like we're forcing something that we shouldn't," Quade said. "It goes against everything (I believe) — 'We're going to be aggressive, we want to run …' Yeah, you're going to run yourself into a lot of outs."

Quade does want Starlin Castro to improve his baserunning instincts, knowing he has the speed. But he also wants the Cubs to run "intelligently" and won't send him just to be aggressive.

"Do I see him stealing 30 (bases a year) some day? No," he said. "Make a liar out of me. That's fine. We just need to run with our heads."

Silva watch: Carlos Silva was resting at his place in Mesa, Ariz., waiting for the phone to ring. He'll be allowed to sign with another team starting Wednesday at the major league minimum of $414,000, although whether another team is interested in anything but a minor league deal is unknown.

The Cubs owe Silva $11.5 million, but sources said they will receive $1.5 million from the Mariners this year as part of the Silva-Milton Bradley swap a year ago. Seattle also is responsible for the $2 million buyout.

The Mariners paid the Cubs $5.5 million last year, which was spent on signing free agents Marlon Byrd and Xavier Nady.

Carlos Zambrano said he spoke to Silva and was sad to see him released.

"I told him to be confident," Zambrano said. "I know he can play for another team and I wish him the best."

Flipping out: Quade said he hasn't seen one of Darwin Barney's backflips and may not want to see one.

"I loved watching Ozzie (Smith) do it, but I probably am just as happy not to see (Barney) do it," he said. "I guess it does point out what a wonderful athlete he is. But I'm into catching ground balls, not backflips."

Quade said he hasn't decided whether to ask Barney not to do it. "That's a tough one," he said.

Barney is being pressured by some teammates to do one at Wrigley Field.

Extra innings: Catcher Welington Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Iowa, and catcher Max Ramirez was put on waivers. … Jeff Baker (left hamstring) is expected back in the lineup Tuesday against the Diamondbacks.

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Tribune Cubs' Marshall on the VCU bandwagon By: Paul Sullivan

MESA, Ariz. -- Sean Marshall picked Virginia Commonwealth to win a couple games in the NCAA tournament, which is a lot farther than most people had coach Shaka Smart's Rams going.

But now VCU is in the Final Four, and even Marshall concedes he was a bit of a skeptic, despite attending VCU for three years before being drafted by the Cubs and beginning his career.

"I didn’t think they’d duke it out this far," Marshall said Monday. "They’ve been great to watch."

Marshall, who didn’t pitch Sunday, spent the afternoon flipping channels between the Cubs-Rockies game and the VCU-Kansas game. Last weekend at the Blackhawks-Coyotes game, he was constantly checking the VCU-Purdue score on his phone.

Like anyone else whose college team goes to the Final Four, Marshall is reveling in their success.

"I texted the athletic director afterward, 'Keep it up. Almost there,'" he said.

That would be Norman Teague, the AD of VCU, whom Marshall said is a big Cubs fan. Though they are a Cinderella team playing another Cinderella in Butler, Marshall said the VCU basketball program always has been respectable.

"They always hung in there," he said. "A couple years ago they knocked Duke out. They’re kind of flying under the radar, VCU, but I don’t think they’ll be anymore. Hopefully, they make a name for themselves and win two more games. I know Richmond is buzzing. It’s just a huge party there."

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Tribune United to advertise on Wrigley rooftop Hoping to woo baseball fans, airline launches new campaign to coincide with MLB's opening day By: Julie Johnsson and Ameet Sachdev

United Airlines is using 's opening day, a rite of spring and a symbol of fresh starts, to launch its post-merger brand in four big-city markets where the carrier operates airport hubs.

The carrier Monday unveiled new sponsorship deals with the and that will make United's new globe logo, adopted following its 2010 merger with Continental Airlines, highly visible at Wrigley Field and Dodger Stadium.

The logo will replace familiar United or Continental brands in other ballparks where the Chicago-based airline has sponsorship deals: the United Scout Seats behind home plate at U.S. Cellular Field, the ' Minute Made Park and Cleveland Indians' Progressive Field.

But the brand will be most visible at Wrigley, where United has purchased rights to a prominent rooftop behind the left-center-field bleachers and struck a three-year deal that makes United the team's exclusive airline sponsor. Freshly painted in time for Friday's first pitch, the bright blue roof proclaims that United is "proud to fly the Cubs."

Linking its image to iconic teams such as the Cubs is a smart move for United, said branding expert Kevin Masi, president and co-founder of Torque Ltd., a Chicago-based marketing and branding firm.

"Some things make sense right away," Masi said. "If you're going to choose to launch a new brand, the start of the baseball season is a real optimistic time to talk about two companies, two cultures, looking to the future."

The new United opted to meld elements from the two carriers — United's name, Continental's globe — into its new brand rather than adopting the larger carrier's identity, as Delta Air Lines did with its 2008 merger with Northwest Airlines. The move angered some longtime fliers and design buffs because United dropped a popular hallmark, its Saul Bass-designed U, known as "the tulip."

But the controversy should recede as the sports sponsorships start to forge a new identity for the airline, now the largest in the world. Starting in May, United plans to roll out the new brand at O'Hare International Airport and other large hubs, while limiting the old Continental signage to check-in and boarding areas.

"We are taking this year to gradually roll out the new branding," said Kevin McKenna, the carrier's managing director of brand marketing. "Basically every month this year, something is happening."

Earlier efforts were smaller: moving to a single in-flight magazine in February, erecting some billboard ads in March. It plans to launch a full marketing campaign in 2012.

United's sponsorships raise the carrier's profile among baseball fans, a demographic it seeks to target, McKenna said. The three-year deal gives United naming rights to Wrigley's Stadium Club, which will be known as the United Club, the Cubs announced Monday.

It also guarantees that United will be the only airline visible at Wrigley. With the announcement, the Cubs ended a marketing relationship with Southwest Airlines, the largest carrier at Midway Airport. However, Southwest and other United rivals aren't precluded from advertising on Cubs broadcasts, said Errol Gerber, sales director at WGN-TV.

"We made the strategic decision that less is more," said Wally Hayward, the team's chief sales and marketing officer. "We had two airline partners before and decided to consolidate everything with United."

While the Cubs have been at odds with rooftop owners over the years, team officials helped land a separate agreement between the airline and the owners of the apartment building at 3701 N. Kenmore Ave.

The building is owned by a partnership that includes Tom Gramatis and Max Waisvisz, founder of ticket reseller Gold Coast Tickets.

For many years, the Kenmore rooftop was painted red and sported the Budweiser logo. But two years ago, Gramatis and Waisvisz sold the space to the Horseshoe Casino in Indiana, upsetting the Cubs because the casino did not have a marketing deal with the team.

Last season, the Cubs erected a giant sign featuring Toyota's logo behind the left-field bleachers that partially blocked the Horseshoe sign. The Toyota ad upset some rooftop owners because they saw it as payback.

When the casino deal expired at the end of last season, the building's owners reached out to the Cubs' owners, the Ricketts family, for help in finding a new rooftop advertiser, Waisvisz said.

"We wanted to see if they could help us maximize the value of the rooftop," Waisvisz said. "We also want to be on friendly terms with the Rickettses."

Hayward confirmed that the building's owners approached the Ricketts family, who were willing to assist.

"We've worked hard at building relationships with local businesses and local rooftop partners," Hayward said. "We strongly encourage the rooftop owners to partner with one of our official marketing sponsors."

The team gave the building's owners a list of marketing partners that would be interested in rooftop signage, Hayward said. He said the team is happy that Waisvisz and his partners chose to go with United and "not someone ambushing the Cubs brand."

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CSNChicago.com In NL Central, injuries could shift balance of power By: Patrick Mooney

Talk to enough Cubs people in Arizona and you notice they return to the same point: As long as we stay healthy…

It will take months before anyone can finish that thought. But there is a sense of guarded optimism around camp, especially when you take a look at the rest of the National League Central.

The Cardinals have already lost 20-game winner Adam Wainwright, who will spend this year recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The Brewers are waiting for their Cy Young candidate – Zack Greinke – to heal from a fractured left rib suffered while playing pickup basketball. Milwaukee could begin the season with five players on the disabled list: Greinke; outfielder Corey Hart; catcher Jonathan Lucroy; and pitchers Manny Parra and LaTroy Hawkins.

The Reds rotation has also taken a hit, with and Homer Bailey expected to be placed on the disabled list this week.

“Through the course of 162 games, my guess is we will all have to deal with these situations from time to time,” Cubs manager Mike Quade said. “A couple of (teams) are going to have to deal with it early. If you’re fortunate enough to stay healthy – knock on wood we have all spring and I hope we do all summer – then, yeah, that’s a good thing.

“But rarely does that happen. So whether it’s pitchers or regulars, during the course of (a season) you’re usually going to be down some of your prime people.”

Sure, injuries could shred what looks to be a very solid bullpen on paper. Check back in September to see if Kerry Wood wound up on the disabled list for the 15th time in his career, and confirm that ’s left knee held up for an entire season.

Both Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza have made at least 30 starts in each of the past three years. During that time, Carlos Marmol has averaged 79 appearances per season.

That means they are extremely durable – or you could argue that they’re eventually due for a physical breakdown, given all the collective stress on their right arms.

But this close to Opening Day, the Cubs are going to focus on the positives.

Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano worked out extensively at the team’s facility in the Dominican Republic this winter. Not only are they in better shape, they say they were energized by being around all those hungry, young players.

Marlon Byrd took up boxing and didn’t sprint as much in the offseason in order to his legs. He feels his body is better prepared for all the day games at Wrigley Field. He vows to stay strong in the outfield and through the second half.

Catcher Geovany Soto hasn’t felt this good in years, and has no restrictions after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder last September.

Carlos Zambrano was joking when he said that the psychologist gave him approval to be alone by himself. Either way the Cubs will be reminded of these two words: “I’m cured.”

Zambrano’s mental health is a major issue in a division where the margins could be very thin.

Baseball Prospectus rates the Cubs as an 80-win team – though that’s not far behind the Brewers, projected to be in first place at 85-77.

Even without Wainwright, it would be foolish to dismiss the Cardinals, who have had one losing season in the past 11 years. Tony La Russa and Albert Pujols could be free agents at season’s end, but they won’t make that a distraction.

The Reds are still the defending champions in the Central. Their core of young players should make them a factor for years to come.

But it won’t take an unbelievable season to contend in a division without an overwhelming favorite. An NL Central team hasn’t won a postseason series since the Cardinals won it all in 2006. To get in the tournament, the key could just be staying healthy.

“We fully expect to be in contention in the National League Central. (I) don’t have any doubt we can do that,” Cubs general manager said. “We won two divisions in a row and then we were supposed to kind of cruise and St. Louis won easily (in 2009). Then they were supposed to cruise and Cincinnati had a great year. The division (got) better.”

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ESPNChicago.com Cubs want Shaka Smart to sing at game By: Staff

The Chicago Cubs plan to reach out to VCU coach Shaka Smart and Butler coach Brad Stevens after the NCAA tournament to invite them to sing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch at Wrigley Field.

For Smart, the experience likely will tug at his heartstrings as he remembers the times his grandfather, Walter King, took him to Wrigley as a child. Smart said that King, who is reportedly hospitalized in Chicago with failing kidneys, may be in his last days.

"My grandfather unfortunately is probably in his last days with us," Smart said Monday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "But some of my fondest memories with him are going to Wrigley Field, sitting on the first base side trying to catch some foul balls."

Those memories made Chicago feel like a second home to Smart, who is from Madison, Wis.

"Chicago is my favorite city in the whole country, and I've spent a lot of time in the city of Chicago as a kid," Smart said. "It was kind of a second home for me.

"I'm a big Cubs fan, probably been to -- conservatively -- 50-60 Cubs games over the years. I once caught a Ryne Sandberg at my grandfather's feet. So I'm a big Cubbies fan."

Smart and Stevens face off in an NCAA semifinal on Saturday, and Smart is under the impression he may have to win to earn an invite to throw out a first pitch or sing at Wrigley.

"I would never turn that opportunity down, but I think we have to win a little bit more to get that offer," he said. "I would love to do it. I love Wrigley, there's no place I'd rather be to watch a ballgame."

Cubs spokesman Peter Chase told ESPNChicago.com that Smart already has earned the invitation, and for Stevens, it will be an encore performance after singing last year following a NCAA title game appearance for the Bulldogs.

"We are aware of Coach Smart's love for the Cubs and plan to reach out to him after the tournament," Chase said. "VCU alum [and Cubs reliever] Sean Marshall has been keeping in touch with the athletic department as well.

"It will be cool to see two Cubs fan coaches face off in the Final Four on Saturday, as Butler Coach Brad Stevens is a Cubs fan as well."

The Cubs won't have to wait long for Smart's answer.

"Well I will be there if I get the invite," Smart said. "You can book that."

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USA Today NL Central preview: Votto-led Reds look to win division By: Steve Gardner

1. Cincinnati Reds •Season story lines: The division's defending champs are favored to repeat after keeping almost all of their roster intact. The Reds don't really have an ace in their starting rotation, but the bullpen should be improved with a full season of rookie fireballer Aroldis Chapman. • REDS: Dusty Baker needs Volquez to join elite •Season stat: Powered by MVP Joey Votto, the Reds led the National League in scoring last season at 4.88 runs per game. They also led the league in batting average, home runs, slugging percentage and OPS. •Scouts' report: More than anybody in the division, the Reds are capable of running away with it. They're a nice, young athletic team that plays solid defense and has depth. The outfield has a chance to be real strong. CF Drew Stubbs could have a breakout year. LF Jonny Gomes has figured it out. And RF Jay Bruce could be a star. The right side of their infield is great. Votto could win a few MVP awards. Brandon Phillips does everything you want at second base. On the left side, Paul Janish is solid at shortstop. He just has a lot of holes offensively. Edgar Renteria looks old, but he can at least help out off the bench. You wish they had a No. 1 guy in the rotation, but they'll be fine. RHPs Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto are the keys. The bullpen should be solid.

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2. St. Louis Cardinals

•Season story lines: With ace Adam Wainwright out for the season following Tommy John elbow surgery, the Cardinals will need the rest of their pitchers to carry the load. The team will also have to deal with the distraction of Albert Pujols playing without a contract extension and the specter of him leaving next winter. •Season stat: In his 10-year career, Pujols has averaged .331 with 41 homers and 123 RBI. He has also finished in the top 10 of the NL MVP voting in each of those 10 seasons, winning three times. •Scout's report: Look out for CF Colby Rasmus. I don't know if manager Tony La Russa really likes him or not (after their war of words last season) but Tony's no fool. He needs this kid. I know RF Lance Berkman is a veteran who knows how to get ready, but he doesn't look comfortable in the outfield. I think it might be he's just getting older and not getting around as well. 2B Dan Descalso was the surprise of their camp. He uses the whole field, understands the game. He's a trademark Cardinal. RHP Kyle McClellan will do OK filling the rotation spot left by Wainwright, but I'm not sure they have the guys to cover his bullpen innings. RHP Kyle Lohse has been the revelation.

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3. Chicago Cubs •Season story lines: The Cubs finally acquired the left-handed power hitter they've been seeking for years in 1B Carlos Pena. But will he and former Tampa Bay Rays teammate Matt Garza be enough to help manager Mike Quade turn the around the team's fortunes? •Season stat: The Cubs led the majors in batting average (.287), slugging percentage (.461) and OPS (.805) against left-handed pitching last season. However, those numbers dropped to .245, .379 and .689 against righties. •Scouts' report: For the Cubs to win, everything has to go right. Their best team would probably be to have a platoon of Alfonso Soriano and Kosuke Fukudome in left field, but that's not going to happen, given Soriano's $18 million salary. Soriano is never going to be the same guy they signed, but his legs are stronger and that should help. The biggest surprise has been IF Darwin Barney. He seemed headed to the minors, but the way he's played and turns the , he's going to split time at second with Jeff Baker. SS Starlin Castro is just getting better. The bullpen is a strength. The guys at the back end — Carlos Marmol, Kerry Wood, Sean Marshall and John Grabow— have a chance to make it a six-inning game.

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4. Milwaukee Brewers •Season story lines: With 1B Prince Fielder in the final year of his contract with the team, the Brewers' future is now. They upgraded their rotation in the offseason by trading for Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, but both have battled injuries this spring. •Season stat: Brewers starting pitchers had a combined 4.65 ERA last season, second worst in the National League. Greinke and Marcum are being counted on to improve that figure. •Scouts' report: They don't look good to me. SS Yuniesky Betancourt can get the ball, but he'll often throw it away. CF Carlos Gomez can also go get the ball, but what else can he do? He swings through so many pitches. He's one of those guys that just teases you, and I'm not sure you can win with them. The pitching is a mess, especially with Greinke out (with a broken rib) and Marcum having a stiff shoulder. And I'm really worried about that bullpen. They rely so much on (closer) John Axford and (setup man) Zach Braddock, but those guys haven't looked good this spring. Where is Axford's control? This team needs a lot of things to go right for them to contend, and after watching them this spring, I don't see it happening.

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5. Houston Astros •Season story lines: The youth movement continues with first baseman and third baseman Chris Johnson playing important roles. The development of young pitchers Bud Norris and J.A. Happ will be key.

•Season stat: Despite playing in one of the better home parks for home runs, the Astros hit 108 last season — the fewest of any National League team. •Scouts' report: I hate to call any team horrible but there's not a lot to get excited about here. What ever happened to the Killer B's? It was Bourn, Bogusevic and Bourgeois one day I was there. It's amazing how much Brad Mills got out of this team at the end of last season. To me, there might not be a true everyday player starting in that infield. I didn't think Wallace was ready to hit in the big leagues yet, but he's had a nice spring. They desperately need to find a catcher. I don't know if Jason Castro was the answer before he got hurt, but they're in big trouble now. OF Hunter Pence had finally figured it out. You can see the improvements in batting practice and right into the game. He has a chance to be a 30- homer, .300 guy. Is OF Carlos Lee enough of a threat to make people pitch to Pence? His swing is too slow-starting.

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6. •Season story lines: New manager will look to turn around a franchise mired in a streak of 18 consecutive losing seasons. However, youngsters Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez do provide a glimmer of hope for the future. •Season stat: In addition to their struggles on the mound and at the plate, the Pirates tied for the most errors in the majors last season with 127. •Scouts' report: Why would anyone pitch to McCutchen? Nobody else in the lineup scares you. I like LF Jose Tabata, too. He and McCutchen are the two guys with a combination of good pitch recognition and talent. 3B Pedro Alvarez looks better than last year, but I'm afraid he could turn into Carlos Pena, a pull- oriented power guy who should be hitting sixth or seventh. They have decent arms in the bullpen but guys like Evan Meek and are seventh-inning arms that have to pitch in the ninth. Plus, they are too much alike — plus-, plus- guys — to come in back to back. I'd take any of their starters, but only to be a No. 4 or No. 5. They don't have a lot of plus defenders, and the left side of the infield scares me. The pitching staff isn't good enough to overcome that. It's going to be a heck of a battle with the Houston Astros for fifth place.