Cubs Sweep St. Louis, Hail Cesar!, & Goodbye Master

Wow! What a weekend.

Chicago bests St. Louis in four games at Wrigley Field -- a feat not achieved since 1972! It was great to see the Central Division leading Cardinals on the ropes four-straight days and for the Cubs to deliver the knockout punch on a consistent basis. Wild and wacky games, but isn't that what mid-summer series are all about? Good job, Chicago -- so far the highlight of a very tough season.

I've been disappointed in Jim Hendry's acquisitions the past two off-seasons, but you have to hand it to the guy -- he has a knack for getting "bang for the buck" at the July 31 trading deadline. Never did I expect a Gold Glove shortstop to be at Wrigley Field next year, but Hendry pulled that off by dealing Cubs-legend Greg Maddux to the Dodgers for Cesar Izturis. I've been very impressed with the little Venezuelan from his tenure in Los Angeles and feel that if Aramis Ramirez and Juan Pierre are retained for next year, then the batting order looks pretty decent -- along with a much better defensive infield.

CF Juan Pierre
SS Cesar Izturis
1B Derrek Lee
3B Aramis Ramirez
C Michael Barrett
RF Jacque Jones
LF Matt Murton/Angel Pagan (hopefully Carlos Lee, which would move him to cleanup)
2B Ronny Cedeno

Don't let Maddux's 2006 numbers tell the tale of this masterful pitcher. Sure a 4.69 ERA seems to be the norm for starting pitchers these days, but it is two points higher than how we remember the 325+ game winner. But to achieve nine wins with the Cubs this year is amazing at 40 years old. He'll fit in perfectly with Los Angeles and it puts him near his "home" of Las Vegas, Nevada. I've never pulled for the Dodgers, but will certainly be pulling for Mad-Dog at Chavez Ravine in August and September!