2009 Chicago Cubs season
Encyclopedia
The Chicago Cubs
' 2009 season
was the 137th season of American baseball
for the Chicago Cubs. It involved the Cubs attempting to win the NL Central division for the third consecutive season, although falling short in second place.
had three minor league affiliates. The team's Single-A affiliate is the Peoria Chiefs
, located in Peoria
. The Chicago Cubs' Double-A affiliate is the Tennessee Smokies
based in the Knoxville, Tennessee
metropolitan area. Finally the Chicago Cubs Triple-A Affiliate is the Iowa Cubs
, located in Iowa
. The Iowa Cubs are coached by former Cub and Hall of Fame player Ryne Sandberg
In 2010. Sandberg previously coached the Chiefs and Smokies as well.
injured his throwing shoulder in an early May game against the Milwaukee Brewers
, sidelining him until early July and forcing journeyman players like Mike Fontenot
and Aaron Miles
into more prominent roles. Additionally, key players like Derrek Lee
(back), Alfonso Soriano
(legs and knee) and Geovany Soto
(shoulder) nursed minor, nagging injuries.
wanted to sell the Chicago Cubs
organization, they finally inked a deal on January 22, 2009 with the Ricketts family for a total of $900 million. The sale included the Cubs, Wrigley Field
, and the Tribune's 25% stake in the Comcast Sports Network Chicago, a regional TV channel.
The Chicago Cubs radio broadcasting team was anchored by veteran announcers Pat Hughes
and Ron Santo
this past season making it the duo's 15th year together. Hughes provides the play-by play-announcer while Santo serves as the color commentator.
The Chicago Cubs 2009 television broadcasting team was anchored by Len Kasper
and Bob Brenly
. Games could be seen on multiple channels including: WGN-TV
, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, WGN America, and even at times WCIU-TV
.
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...
' 2009 season
2009 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champions – New York Yankees**American League Champions – New York Yankees**National League Champions – Philadelphia Phillies*Postseason – October 7 to November 4...
was the 137th season of American baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
for the Chicago Cubs. It involved the Cubs attempting to win the NL Central division for the third consecutive season, although falling short in second place.
Minor League affiliates
In 2009 The Chicago CubsChicago 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...
had three minor league affiliates. The team's Single-A affiliate is the Peoria Chiefs
Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, from Peoria, Illinois. They play in the Midwest League....
, located in Peoria
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
. The Chicago Cubs' Double-A affiliate is the Tennessee Smokies
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies are a Minor League Baseball team based in the Knoxville, Tennessee metropolitan area. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball as of the 2011 season...
based in the Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
metropolitan area. Finally the Chicago Cubs Triple-A Affiliate is the Iowa Cubs
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. Their home games are played in Des Moines, Iowa, at Principal Park.-Franchise history:...
, located in Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
. The Iowa Cubs are coached by former Cub and Hall of Fame player Ryne Sandberg
Ryne Sandberg
Ryne Dee Sandberg , nicknamed "Ryno" is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. During a 16-year baseball career, he played from 1981–1994 and 1996–97, spending nearly his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He was named after relief pitcher Ryne Duren, and is recognized as one of the best...
In 2010. Sandberg previously coached the Chiefs and Smokies as well.
Game log
| 2009 Game Log | |
|---|---|
Roster
| 2009 Chicago Cubs | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders Outfielders |
Manager Coaching Staff (special asst) (hitting) (hitting) (third base) (pitching) (first base) (bullpen) (bench) |
|||||||
Key injuries
The Cubs were plagued by injuries in 2009, and were only able to field their Opening Day starting lineup three times the entire season. Third baseman Aramis RamirezAramis 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...
injured his throwing shoulder in an early May game against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, sidelining him until early July and forcing journeyman players like 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...
and Aaron Miles
Aaron Miles
Aaron Wade Miles is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently a free agent.-Houston Astros:Miles was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 19th round of the 1995 amateur draft...
into more prominent roles. Additionally, key players like 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,...
(back), Alfonso Soriano
Alfonso Soriano
Alfonso Guilleard Soriano is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs....
(legs and knee) and Geovany Soto
Geovany Soto
Geovany Soto is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Chicago Cubs.-Professional career:...
(shoulder) nursed minor, nagging injuries.
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 102 | 331 | 72 | .218 | 11 | 47 | |
| 1B | 141 | 532 | 163 | .306 | 35 | 111 | |
| 2B | 135 | 377 | 89 | .236 | 9 | 43 | |
| SS | 154 | 602 | 171 | .284 | 7 | 54 | |
| 3B | 82 | 306 | 97 | .317 | 15 | 65 | |
| LF | 117 | 477 | 115 | .241 | 20 | 55 | |
| CF | 146 | 499 | 129 | .259 | 11 | 54 | |
| RF | 124 | 393 | 101 | .257 | 12 | 40 |
Other batters
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 105 | 234 | 56 | .239 | 10 | 35 | |
| 65 | 186 | 42 | .255 | 4 | 22 | |
| 74 | 157 | 29 | .185 | 0 | 5 | |
| 83 | 253 | 60 | .237 | 2 | 24 | |
| 51 | 124 | 30 | .242 | 3 | 15 | |
| 53 | 123 | 31 | .252 | 1 | 12 | |
| 14 | 28 | 4 | .143 | 0 | 1 | |
| 20 | 14 | 3 | .214 | 0 | 0 | |
| 82 | 216 | 56 | .259 | 11 | 44 | |
| 30 | 64 | 8 | .125 | 0 | 5 | |
| 33 | 69 | 15 | .217 | 4 | 11 | |
| 26 | 57 | 5 | .088 | 0 | 2 | |
| 26 | 43 | 8 | .186 | 0 | 0 | |
| 51 | 13 | 3 | .231 | 0 | 2 | |
| 26 | 47 | 9 | .191 | 0 | 2 | |
| 55 | 3 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 12 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 200.0 | 11 | 9 | 3.64 | 172 | 1.305 | |
| 27 | 177.0 | 12 | 9 | 3.10 | 151 | 1.056 | |
| 28 | 169.1 | 9 | 7 | 3.77 | 152 | 1.376 | |
| 55 | 85.1 | 3 | 7 | 4.32 | 68 | 1.441 | |
| 26 | 141.0 | 9 | 9 | 4.09 | 171 | 1.340 | |
| 27 | 165.1 | 12 | 10 | 3.05 | 104 | 1.276 |
Relief pitchers
| Player | G | W | L | SV | IP | ERA | SO | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | 5 | 6 | 23 | 68.2 | 4.72 | 71 | 1.311 | |
| 55 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 61.0 | 2.95 | 47 | 1.049 | |
| 79 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 74.0 | 3.41 | 93 | 1.459 | |
| 70 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 72.1 | 4.11 | 65 | 1.410 | |
| 19 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11.0 | 7.36 | 9 | 2.091 | |
| 20 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 27.2 | 6.36 | 23 | 1.807 | |
| 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15.1 | 3.52 | 18 | 1.761 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.2 | 0.00 | 3 | 0.545 | |
| 20 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 34.2 | 7.20 | 21 | 1.760 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.2 | 5.40 | 2 | 1.800 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.1 | 135.00 | 0 | 15.000 |
Trades
| November 13, 2008 |
To Florida Marlins Florida Marlins The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at... Jose Ceda José Ceda José Marti Ceda Marte is a Minor League Baseball player in the Miami Marlins minor league system.... |
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... Kevin Gregg Kevin Gregg Kevin Marschall Gregg is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles.-High school career:... |
| December 31, 2008 |
to Cleveland Indians Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona... 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... |
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... Minor league prospects (Gaub, Stevens, Archer) |
| January 6, 2009 |
to Colorado Rockies Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains... 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.... |
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... Luis Vizcaino Luis Vizcaíno Luis Vizcaíno Arias is a Dominican Republic professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs, and Cleveland Indians in his career.-Career:Vizcaíno... |
| January 17, 2009 |
to Baltimore Orioles Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league... Felix 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:... |
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... Garrett Olson Garrett Olson Garrett Andrew Olson is a Major League Baseball pitcher currently in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.-High school:Olson attended Buchanan High School in Clovis, California... and Henry Williamson |
| January 27, 2009 |
to Seattle Mariners Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July... Ronny Cedeno 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... and Garrett Olson Garrett Olson Garrett Andrew Olson is a Major League Baseball pitcher currently in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.-High school:Olson attended Buchanan High School in Clovis, California... |
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... Aaron Heilman Aaron Heilman Aaron Michael Heilman is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. Heilman was drafted by the New York Mets out of Notre Dame in 2001. He came up through the Mets system as a starting pitcher but was converted to a relief pitcher in 2005... |
| May 8, 2009 |
to Baltimore Orioles Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league... Joey Gathright Joey Gathright Joey Renard Gathright is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.-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... Ryan Freel Ryan Freel Ryan Paul Freel is a retired baseball utility player. He played second base, third base, and all three outfield positions.-MLB career:... |
| July 2, 2009 |
to Colorado Rockies Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains... Al Alburquerque Al Alburquerque Alberto José Alburquerque is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. He is 6'0" tall and weighs 195 pounds. Alburquerque began his professional career in 2006 and made his Major League debut in 2011.-Minor leagues:... |
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... Jeff Baker |
| July 6, 2009 |
to Kansas City Royals Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium... Ryan Freel Ryan Freel Ryan Paul Freel is a retired baseball utility player. He played second base, third base, and all three outfield positions.-MLB 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... player to be named later Player to be named later The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades.-Description:... |
| July 30, 2009 |
to Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions... Kevin Hart Kevin Hart (baseball) Kevin Richard Hart is a professional baseball pitcher who is currently playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Career:... , Jose Ascanio Jose Ascanio José Eleazar Ascanio is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball.-Baseball career:... , and Josh Harrison Josh Harrison Joshua I. Harrison aka "J-Hay" or "J-Hay da Man" is an American professional baseball second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball... |
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... John Grabow John Grabow John William Grabow, nicknamed "Grabes" , is a Major League Baseball left-handed reliever.... and Tom Gorzelanny Tom Gorzelanny Thomas Stephen Gorzelanny is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals.-Personal life:Tom grew up in Chicago, IL, graduating from Marist High School in 2000... |
Free agent acquisitions
|
Players lost to free agency
|
Sale of the franchise
After many years of speculation that the Chicago TribuneChicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
wanted to sell the 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...
organization, they finally inked a deal on January 22, 2009 with the Ricketts family for a total of $900 million. The sale included the Cubs, 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...
, and the Tribune's 25% stake in the Comcast Sports Network Chicago, a regional TV channel.
Media
- Radio: Chicago Cubs Radio NetworkChicago Cubs Radio NetworkThe Chicago Cubs Radio Network comprises 45 stations in eleven states. It is a division of Tribune Broadcasting's Tribune Radio Network.The Cubs' flagship station is WGN, 720 AM. Pat Hughes is the play-by-play announcer, with Keith Moreland serving as color commentator as of the 2011 season...
The Chicago Cubs radio broadcasting team was anchored by veteran announcers Pat Hughes
Pat Hughes (baseball)
Vergil Patrick "Pat" Hughes has been the play-by-play voice of the Chicago Cubs, working for WGN radio, since 1996. He partnered with color commentator Ron Santo, former All-Star third baseman for the Cubs from 1996 until 2010, when Santo died of cancer. Their unique on-air chemistry came to be...
and Ron Santo
Ron Santo
Ronald Edward Santo was an American professional baseball player and long-time radio sports commentator. He played in Major League Baseball from 1960 to 1974, most notably as the third baseman for the Chicago Cubs. A nine-time All-Star, he was a powerful hitter who was also a good defensive...
this past season making it the duo's 15th year together. Hughes provides the play-by play-announcer while Santo serves as the color commentator.
- TV: Comcast SportsNet Chicago, WGN-TVWGN-TVWGN-TV, virtual channel 9 , is the CW-affiliated television station in Chicago, Illinois built, signed on, and owned by the Tribune Company. WGN-TV's studios and offices are located at 2501 W...
, WGN America, WCIU-TVWCIU-TVWCIU-TV is an independent television station located in Chicago, Illinois. It operates on UHF digital channel 27 and is Chicago's oldest UHF station, signing on the air in 1964. WCIU-TV is the flagship station of Weigel Broadcasting, a locally-based broadcaster which has owned the station since...
The Chicago Cubs 2009 television broadcasting team was anchored by Len Kasper
Len Kasper
Len Kasper is a play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Cubs , teaming with Bob Brenly on WGN-TV, WCIU-TV, and Comcast SportsNet.- Personal life :Kasper grew up in Michigan...
and Bob Brenly
Bob Brenly
Robert Earl Brenly is an American former professional baseball player, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. He played the majority of his career as a catcher with the San Francisco Giants and played half a season for the Toronto Blue Jays...
. Games could be seen on multiple channels including: WGN-TV
WGN-TV
WGN-TV, virtual channel 9 , is the CW-affiliated television station in Chicago, Illinois built, signed on, and owned by the Tribune Company. WGN-TV's studios and offices are located at 2501 W...
, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, WGN America, and even at times WCIU-TV
WCIU-TV
WCIU-TV is an independent television station located in Chicago, Illinois. It operates on UHF digital channel 27 and is Chicago's oldest UHF station, signing on the air in 1964. WCIU-TV is the flagship station of Weigel Broadcasting, a locally-based broadcaster which has owned the station since...
.