Thoughts on the Chicago Cubs and other topics in baseball. E-mail Tom at: tomsmithcubs@ hotmail.com

 
WOOD AND LEE SIGN NEW CONTRACTS: SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Chicago Cubs have reached agreements with pitcher Kerry Wood and first baseman Derrek Lee on new contracts.

Kerry Wood signed a three-year contract with the Cubs on Friday. Wood gets $7 million in 2004, $8.5 million in 2005, and $11 million in 2006, with a $13.5 million option for 2007. Wood also gets a $3 million signing bonus spread out over three years and a no-trade clause.

Derrek Lee signed a three-year contract with the Cubs on Saturday. Lee gets $5.5 million in 2004, $7 million in 2005, and $8 million in 2006. Lee also gets a $2 million bonus.

I think we got good deals with both players.




BARTMAN BALL DESTROYED: SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- I watched the Bartman Ball get destroyed live Thursday night on MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann.

Back in December when the ball was bought by Harry Caray's Restaurant for $113,824.16, I thought they had overpaid for the ball and would never get that much publicity out of destroying the ball. I was wrong. The restaurant got tons of publicity for destroying the baseball which easily paid for the cost of the baseball.

I thought destroying the ball was stupid but after seeing the ball blown up I was pleased. I do not believe in hexes but knowing the ball died in hopes the Cubs will win the World Series gave me a small dose of happiness.
posted by Thomas at 9:42 AM