2008 Chicago Cubs season
Encyclopedia
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
' 2008 season
2008 Major League Baseball season
The 2008 Major League Baseball season began on March 25, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan with the 2007 World Series champion Boston Red Sox defeating the Oakland Athletics at the Tokyo Dome 6–5 in the first game of a two-game series, and ended on September 30 with the host Chicago White Sox defeating the...
was the 136th season for the Chicago Cubs. It is considered one of their most impressive regular seasons in the entire history of the franchise. Despite 97 regular season wins—the most since 1945—they failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs, losing 3-0 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. The Cubs repeated as champions of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Central Division
National League Central
The National League Central Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. This division was created in 1994, by moving two teams from the Western Division and three teams from the Eastern Division of the National League...
. It was the first time since 1908 that the Cubs made postseason appearances in consecutive seasons. This is their second season with Lou Piniella
Lou Piniella
Louis Victor Piniella is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He has been nicknamed "Sweet Lou," both for his swing as a major league hitter and, facetiously, to describe his demeanor as a player and manager...
as their manager.
At the All-Star break
2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 79th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York, home of the New York Yankees, on...
, the Cubs led the Central Division and were tied with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
for the best record in the major leagues. They tied a National League record with eight players selected to the All-Star team.
In 2007, Ernie Banks
Ernie Banks
Ernest "Ernie" Banks , nicknamed "Mr. Cub", is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and first baseman. He played his entire 19-year baseball career with the Chicago Cubs . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.-High school years:Banks was a letterman and standout in football,...
had requested that Evanston, Illinois
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
native Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder is an American musician and singer-songwriter who is best known for being the lead singer and one of three guitarists of the alternative rock band Pearl Jam. He is widely considered a cultural icon of alternative rock.He is also involved in soundtrack work and contributes to albums...
write the Cubs a song, and in August 2008 Vedder recorded "All the Way
All the Way (Eddie Vedder song)
"All the Way" is a song written and performed by Evanston, Illinois native and Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder about the Chicago Cubs...
", which was released on September 18, 2008. During the season, a new version of "Go, Cubs, Go
Go, Cubs, Go
"Go Cubs Go", "Go, Cubs, Go" or "Go, Cubs, Go!" is a song written by Steve Goodman in 1984. At various times the Goodman version of the song has been the official Chicago Cubs team song and the official Cubs victory song. The Goodman version of the song is now referred to as the official Chicago...
" was recorded and released by the Manic Sewing Circle, although the original 1984 Steve Goodman
Steve Goodman
Steve Goodman was an American folk music singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. The writer of "City of New Orleans", made popular by Arlo Guthrie, Goodman won two Grammy Awards.-Personal life:...
version became the official Cubs victory song.
On September 20, the Cubs officially clinched the Central Division with a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs lost in the 2008 National League Division Series
2008 National League Division Series
-Philadelphia Phillies vs. Milwaukee Brewers:-Game 1, October 1:Wrigley Field in Chicago, IllinoisThe Dodgers swiped Game 1 from the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mark DeRosa gave the Cubs an early lead in the second inning with an opposite-field home run. James Loney's fifth inning grand slam proved to...
.
Season standings
Game log
| 2008 Game Log | |
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Roster
| 2008 Chicago Cubs | |||||||||
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Catchers Infielders Outfielders |
Manager Coaching Staff (special asst) (hitting) (third base) (pitching) (first base) (bullpen) (bench) |
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NLDS vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Cubs eliminated from playoffs after Los Angeles wins series 3-0.| Game | Score | Date | Location | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles Dodgers - 7, Chicago Cubs - 2 | October 1 | Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
42,099 |
| 2 | Los Angeles Dodgers - 10, Chicago Cubs - 3 | October 2 | Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales... |
42,136 |
| 3 | Los Angeles Dodgers - 3, Chicago Cubs - 1 | October 4 | Dodger Stadium Dodger Stadium Dodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962... |
56,000 |
After losing Game 3 to the Dodgers, the Cubs have lost nine consecutive post-season games, dating back to the 2003 NLCS
2003 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 7, 2003 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, IllinoisThe Marlins took Game 1 of the series, coming back from an early 4–0 deficit. They scored five runs in the third on three home runs from Juan Encarnacion, rookie Miguel Cabrera, and Ivan "Pudge" Rodríguez. In the sixth inning,...
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Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
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| Alfonso Soriano Alfonso Soriano Alfonso Guilleard Soriano is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs.... |
65 | 273 | 81 | .297 | 20 | 52 |
| Ryan Theriot Ryan Theriot Ryan Stewart Theriot is a Major League Baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.Theriot is the son of Randy and Mary Theriot, and has an older brother Wes and younger brother Austin. Both his father and older brother played baseball at Broadmoor High School.Theriot graduated from Broadmoor... |
105 | 416 | 131 | .315 | 1 | 31 |
| Derrek Lee Derrek Lee Derrek Leon Lee , or "D-Lee", is a Major League Baseball first baseman. Lee has played with the San Diego Padres , the Florida Marlins , Chicago Cubs , Atlanta Braves , Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates . He bats and throws right-handed.Lee was a World Series Champion with Florida in 2003,... |
112 | 458 | 135 | .295 | 17 | 69 |
| Aramis Ramírez Aramis Ramírez Aramis Nin Ramírez is an All-Star Major League Baseball third baseman for the Chicago Cubs.He started his professional career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1998, before being traded to the Cubs in 2003. On November 12, 2006, Ramírez signed a five-year deal with the Cubs... |
107 | 400 | 110 | .275 | 19 | 75 |
| Geovany Soto Geovany Soto Geovany Soto is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Chicago Cubs.-Professional career:... |
105 | 374 | 104 | .278 | 17 | 62 |
| Kosuke Fukudome Kosuke Fukudome is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder.Prior to arriving in the United States, Fukudome played nine seasons for the Chunichi Dragons of the Japanese Central League... |
108 | 387 | 106 | .274 | 8 | 41 |
| Mark DeRosa Mark DeRosa Mark Thomas DeRosa is a Major League Baseball player. DeRosa is a utility player who has been primarily a second baseman, but can play other positions, including the outfield; he played six positions for the Chicago Cubs. He bats right-handed.DeRosa was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 7th... |
107 | 364 | 100 | .275 21 |
58 | |
| Reed Johnson Reed Johnson Reed Cameron Johnson is an American professional baseball outfielder. He was born in Riverside, California-College career:... |
75 | 240 | 71 | .296 | 6 | 41 |
| Jim Edmonds Jim Edmonds James Patrick "Jim" Edmonds is a former American Major League Baseball center fielder. He played for the California/Anaheim Angels, the St. Louis Cardinals, the San Diego Padres, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Chicago Cubs, and the Cincinnati Reds... |
80 | 252 | 61 | .242 | 13 | 42 |
| Daryle Ward Daryle Ward Daryle Lamar Ward is an American professional baseball first baseman and outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and plays in the Minor League farm system. He has not played in the Majors since 2008. He bats and throws left-handed. The 6-foot-2, 240 pound Ward was drafted by the Detroit Tigers... |
59 | 65 | 15 | .231 | 2 | 9 |
| Mike Fontenot Mike Fontenot Michael Eugene "Mike" Fontenot is a Major League Baseball infielder for the San Francisco Giants.-High school career:Mike Fontenot was a standout for Salmen High School in Slidell, Louisiana... |
85 | 173 | 50 | .289 | 8 | 30 |
| Ronny Cedeño Ronny Cedeño Ronny Alexander Cedeño is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball shortstop. He bats and throws right-handed and was born in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela... |
69 | 153 | 43 | .281 | 2 | 22 |
| Henry Blanco Henry Blanco Henry Ramón Blanco is a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He currently plays in Major League Baseball as a catcher and is currently a free agent... |
38 | 79 | 23 | .291 | 2 | 6 |
| Félix Pie Felix Pie Félix Pie is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played for the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles.-Minor league career:... |
30 | 63 | 14 | .222 | 1 | 7 |
| Matt Murton Matt Murton Matthew Henry Murton is an outfielder for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan... |
19 | 40 | 10 | .250 | 0 | 6 |
| Eric Patterson Eric Patterson Eric Scott Patterson is an American professional baseball outfielder for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball. He has also played second base in the majors, which he predominantly played in the minor leagues... |
13 | 38 | 9 | .237 | 1 | 7 |
Pitching
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts| Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | R | ER | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jose Ascanio Jose Ascanio José Eleazar Ascanio is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball.-Baseball career:... |
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| Neal Cotts Neal Cotts Neal James Cotts is a left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent-College career:... |
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| Ryan Dempster Ryan Dempster Ryan Scott Dempster is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. Dempster bats and throws right-handed. He has been both a starter and a reliever in his career.-Professional career:... |
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| Scott Eyre Scott Eyre Scott Alan Eyre is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Career:Eyre attended the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho and was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 9th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft... |
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| Chad Fox Chad Fox Chad Douglas Fox is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Fox played for the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, Florida Marlins, and the Chicago Cubs. He won the 2003 World Series championship as a member of the Marlins... |
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| Sean Gallagher Sean Gallagher (baseball) Sean Patrick Gallagher is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Chicago Cubs:... |
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| Chad Gaudin Chad Gaudin Chad Edward Gaudin is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-High school:Gaudin attended Crescent City Baptist High School in Metairie, Louisiana... |
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| Rich Harden Rich Harden James Richard Harden is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher.-Early years:Harden attended Claremont Secondary School in Victoria, British Columbia. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 38th round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft... |
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| Kevin Hart Kevin Hart (baseball) Kevin Richard Hart is a professional baseball pitcher who is currently playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Career:... |
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| Rich Hill | |||||||||||
| Bob Howry Bob Howry Bobby Dean Howry is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher.-Early life:Howry attended Deer Valley High School in Arizona,then he attended McNeese State University and was drafted by the San Francisco Giants... |
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| Jon Lieber Jon Lieber Jonathan Ray Lieber is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago Cubs , New York Yankees , Philadelphia Phillies . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed... |
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| Ted Lilly Ted Lilly Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats and throws left-handed... |
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| Carlos Marmol Carlos Marmol Carlos Agustín Mármol is a relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs.-Minor league career:Mármol started his career as a catcher/outfielder... |
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| Jason Marquis Jason Marquis Jason Scott Marquis is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He previously pitched for the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks.... |
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| Sean Marshall Sean Marshall Sean Christopher Marshall is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. After three minor league seasons, Marshall was added to the Cubs' 40-man roster in November . He was married to Alexis DelChiaro at the time a morning anchor at KSAZ in Phoenix, AZ... |
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| Carmen Pignatiello Carmen Pignatiello Carmen Peter Pignatiello was a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a pitching coach for the Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League... |
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| Jeff Samardzija Jeff Samardzija Jeffrey Alan Samardzija is an American baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs... |
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| Kerry Wood Kerry Wood Kerry Lee Wood is a National Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Wood recorded over 200 strikeouts in four out of his first five seasons, with a high of 266 in 2003.... |
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| Michael Wuertz Michael Wuertz Michael James Wuertz is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He is known for his slider, which had the most strikeouts per swing in 2009.- Chicago Cubs :... |
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| Carlos Zambrano Carlos Zambrano Carlos Alberto Zambrano is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. Zambrano, who stands 6' 5" and weighs 260 pounds, was signed by the Cubs as a free agent in 1997 and made his debut in 2001... |
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Trades
| November 12, 2007 |
To Detroit Tigers Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant... Jacque Jones Jacque Jones Jacque Dewayne Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who currently is a free agent-Early life:... |
To Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National... Omar Infante Omar Infante Omar Rafael Infante [in-FAHN-tay] is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently on the Miami Marlins... |
| November 13, 2007 |
To Minnesota Twins Minnesota Twins The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the... Craig Monroe Craig Monroe Craig Keystone Monroe , nicknamed "C-Mo," is a Major League Baseball outfielder who most recently played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Professional career:... |
To Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National... Clay Rapada |
| December 4, 2007 |
To Atlanta Braves Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997.... Will Ohman Will Ohman William McDaniel Ohman is a left-handed pitcher, who is currently a member of the Chicago White Sox. He lives in Agoura Hills, California.-Chicago Cubs:... Omar Infante Omar Infante Omar Rafael Infante [in-FAHN-tay] is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently on the Miami Marlins... |
To Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National... José Ascanio Jose Ascanio José Eleazar Ascanio is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball.-Baseball career:... |
| December 6, 2007 |
To Tampa Bay Rays Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field... Cash considerations |
To Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National... Tim Lahey Tim Lahey Timothy William "Tim" Lahey is a minor league baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He is officially listed as standing tall and weighing . Lahey is an example of a "phantom ballplayer": one who has spent time on a major league roster but never appeared in any games.-High school... |
| January 5, 2008 |
To New York Mets New York Mets The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League... Angel Pagán Angel Pagán Ángel Anthony Pagán is a Puerto Rican professional baseball player. He currently plays outfield for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball. Pagan's original contract in Major League Baseball was with the Mets, but he was transferred to the Chicago Cubs when they bought his contract... |
To Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National... Ryan Meyers Corey Coles |
| July 8, 2008 |
To Oakland Athletics Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum.... Sean Gallagher Sean Gallagher (baseball) Sean Patrick Gallagher is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Chicago Cubs:... Matt Murton Matt Murton Matthew Henry Murton is an outfielder for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan... Eric Patterson Eric Patterson Eric Scott Patterson is an American professional baseball outfielder for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball. He has also played second base in the majors, which he predominantly played in the minor leagues... Josh Donaldson |
To Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National... Rich Harden Rich Harden James Richard Harden is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher.-Early years:Harden attended Claremont Secondary School in Victoria, British Columbia. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 38th round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft... Chad Gaudin Chad Gaudin Chad Edward Gaudin is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.-High school:Gaudin attended Crescent City Baptist High School in Metairie, Louisiana... |
Free agent acquisitions
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Players lost to free agency
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Other news
- On November 20, 2007, John McDonough stepped down as team president to join the Chicago BlackhawksChicago BlackhawksThe Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
. - On April 23, 2008, the Chicago Cubs recorded their 10,000th victory in franchise history with a 7-6 victory in 10 innings over the Colorado Rockies. They were just the second team to complete this feat behind the San Francisco Giants.
- On September 14, 2008 Carlos ZambranoCarlos ZambranoCarlos Alberto Zambrano is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. Zambrano, who stands 6' 5" and weighs 260 pounds, was signed by the Cubs as a free agent in 1997 and made his debut in 2001...
threw the first no-hitter for the Cubs since Milt PappasMilt PappasMilton Steven "Milt" Pappas is a former professional baseball pitcher...
threw his on September 2, 1972. Zambrano threw the no-hitter against the Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
in a game played at Miller Park in Milwaukee. It was the first no-hitter recorded at a neutral site in baseball history. The game was moved due to the damage Hurricane Ike caused.