Almost Famous
Colvin Can't Quite Seal the Deal in Loss

Jerry Lai/US PRESSWIRE

We were sure we were going to see the birth of a star yesterday, a la the 1984 Ryne Sandberg game. Tyler Colvin had already singled in the Cubs' only two runs, then he came up with two on in the 10th inning... and grounded into a double play. And so it goes for the Cubs, who again wasted a strong performance by Carlos Silva. The ineffectual Cubs' offense again made an opposing pitcher look like a Cy Young winner, as rookie Travis Wood gave up only two runs in his major-league debut. It continues.

ESPN Chicago: Reds beat Cubs in 10, continue extras road run [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Cubs drop another, 3-2 in 10th
Daily Herald: Good pitching, little hitting in extra-inning Cubs loss
CSN Chicago: Dusty's first-place Reds keep Cubs down
MLB: Cubs' latest loss sounds like broken record [+ video]

The Soft Boys
Has New Touchy-Feely Mindset Made Cubs Limp?
Before the season started, we were excited to read that the Cubs had hired a nutritionist and a team psychologist. Clearly this would make the team into sinewy warriors with the steely psyches of cold-hearted ninjas. Yeah, that hasn't happened. The Sun-Times suggests the team's wellness kick has taken away their edge. "While good vibes and high fiber are nice, they never won a baseball game," the article says. We don't know if it's true, but maybe it's time to put the team on an all-buffalo diet.

Chicago Sun-Times: Cubs' wellness kick lacks punch

Who's on Third?
Minor-League Pickings Look Slim to Replace Ramirez
One of the most surprising elements of this season has been the complete collapse of Aramis Ramirez. Unfortunately, the Cubs don't seem to have much in the way of replacements in the minors. Goat Riders of the Apocalypse looks at all of the farm system's third basemen, and concludes "the Cubs are all in on Josh Vitters as a long-term solution." Unfortunately, Vitters is batting .234 at Tennessee and isn't exactly Brooks Robinson with the leather. So... bummer.

Goat Riders of the Apocalypse: Cubs by position — third base

The Ex-Cub Factor
Checking in on Some Former North Siders
Ever wonder what are some old Cubs up to? View from the Bleachers looks up several reformed former Cubs, and finds a mixed bag. Michael Barrett, who played Mike Tyson to Zambrano's Buster Douglas, is in the Mets' farm system. Eric Patterson, Corey's little brother and a 2004 Cubs' draft pick, played for the Red Sox the other night and went 1-for-3. And Felix Pie actually may turn out to be somewhat decent in Baltimore. Maybe.

View From the Bleachers: In the news: It's a former Cub fiesta!!!

Make It Funky
The Fascinating Post-Death Life of James Brown
Man does not live by Cubs news alone. So every now and then, we'll run a story that's worth reading on its own. Maybe it's about the Cubs, maybe not. Today's Good Read is a GQ look at the legacy of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul. Turns out he's as interesting now as he was when he was alive. He never played for the North Siders, but we'll be damned if he didn't show as much heart in one song as the Cubs have this entire season.

GQ: Papa

Carlos Zambrano will likely spend some time in the minor leagues before he pitches for the Cubs, Lou Piniella said... Iowa pitcher Thomas Diamond and shortstop Darwin Barney were named to the PCL All-Star Game, while Tennessee's Tony Campana, Blake Lalli, and Robinson Chirinos were tabbed as starters in the Southern League All-Star Game.

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