Carlos Marmol News

In some ways, it's the same old story. The Yankees win, the Yankees win, say it 27 times for emphasis.

As you might guess, left-handed setup relievers don't get many photos taken. So, this one in a Pirates uniform is the best one available of John Grabow.

The Ricketts family, Spring Training, Carlos Marmol's backup, and center field and second base options are among the topics in this week's Inbox.

Many Americans have been in job-changing mode recently, but Blake Parker got a head start.

The Cubs have had success converting position players to pitchers, such as Randy Wells and Carlos Marmol, but Kyler Burke showed he was better left alone.

The brand-spanking-new Nationals Park has just about everything you could ask for in a modern ballpark.

About six months ago I posted a piece predicting the Cubs would win the World Series.

Randy Wells finishes off an outstanding rookie season. Browse more photos>> Now here's something that can give us hope for 2010.

Chicago Cubs closer Carlos Marmol, left, celebrates with catcher Geovany Soto after they defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-0 in a baseball game in Chicago, Saturday, Oct.

But while one of the two occurred with no expectations, the other was one of the bitterest disappointments since the Bartman Incident half a decade before.

Well, the season is almost over, and what a disappointing one it has been. Actually, the season was pretty much over on Aug.

Growing pains continue to be a recurring theme for young Cubs pitchers, whose on-the-job training eventually may lead to on-the-job ulcers for manager Dusty Baker.

Jeff Baker is looking like a hell of a pick up by Jim Hendry. It was his bat -- and his bat alone -- that lifted the Cubs to victory last night in a game dominated by pitching.

With less than a month remaining in the fantasy season, the American League and National League reports are being combined in an effort to showcase the players that are on fire and those that are truly struggling.

Struggling through numerous titles for this article - including High Hopes and Big Busts: Analyzing The Frustration of Rooting for the Cubs and Mets, Who Flopped First? The Mets or Mets?, and many more - I came to the realization that the inspiration for the article was one in which the hopelessness that seemed to come with being a fan of the Cubs, ...

The Cardinals beat the Cubs in the ninth inning for the second straight game, this time prevailing after Ryan Franklin's third blown save in his last five appearances.

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Great, Cubs and Reds Set for Rubber Match; Soto, Lilly Rolling The Chicago Cubs will look to salvage a series win Sunday, after missing an opportunity to go up two games to none on division foes the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday at Wrigley Field.

Homer Bailey vs. Ted Lilly Story-lines The Cubs blew a chance to gain a game on the Rockies last night, thanks in part to the erratic arm of Carlos Marmol.

Carlos Marmol seems destined to be the Cubs' full-time closer in 2010. But destiny still is toying with the right-hander. ''You can't keep walking people late in a game,'' said manager Lou Piniella, angry after Marmol did just that in the ninth inning of the Cubs' 7-5 loss Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds.

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Great, The Chicago Cubs were picked by many to be the odds-on favorite in the NL Central.