'It's like the first day of school. You get that energy. I couldn't even sleep last night thinking about it. That's never going to leave me.' -The new dude in centerfield, Juan Pierre, on the Cubs first full team work out of spring training.

'Hell Yeah!!!' -Me -- after reading that beautiful quote in the paper this morning.

The Cubs had their first full team work out yesterday (Feb 21st.) of the 2006 season, and it's back to business as usual in Mesa, Az. Prior and Wood are battling to get healthy, Dusty Baker is eating toothpicks, and...more

The Cubs have a hefty list of projected starters (both position players and pitchers) under the age of 30. Even after two frustrating seasons since coming so close in 2003, the Cubs are still a young bunch that is full of potential.

Here is a list of the youngsters (and their ages) that are expected to play major roles in the fortunes of the 2006 Chicago Cubs --

Ronny Cedeno - 23 years old Matt Murton – 24 Jerome Williams - 24 Carlos Zambrano - 24 Mark Prior - 25 Aramis Ramirez - 27 Ryan Dempster...more

As reported by Cubs.com, Kerry Wood is doing well with his rehab from his 142nd arm injury and has already started throwing off of a mound this spring (I may be wrong on the total number of injuries, there may be a few that I don't know about). He is progressing at a healthy pace and should see action before it gets warm in Wrigleyville. While I really want to see Kerry return to the mound and realize his massive potential, I am presently more concerned with Mark Prior's bizarre ability to find ways to keep himself off of the...more

When Cubs' stud Mark Prior was asked if he had any ideas on how to improve the team's defense for the upcoming season, the first person he mentioned was Ronny Cedeno.

'I think Ronny is going to be a big asset for us,' said Prior of the unproven but talented infielder.

With the support and endorsement of his peers, as well as his manger Dusty Baker, the opportunity is there for the taking for Ronny Cedeno. The young Venezuelan is confident that he has the tools to do the job everyday, and the Cubs desperately need someone to...more

Spring Training may have started yesterday for the Chicago Cubs', but there is one ex-Cubs slugger who is not quite sure where he will be spending his spring in ‘06, let alone his summer. Sammy Sosa rejected the Washington Nationals non–guaranteed contract offer to play for them for one season at $500,000. To say that Sosa's future in the Major Leagues is in doubt is a major understatement, at the very least.

After hitting .221 last season with just 14 HRs and seeing his body type shift from pit bull to toy poodle, retirement is an option that Sosa...more