Anger Management
Big Z Is Truly New and Improved in 5-4 Win

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

A mellowed-out Carlos Zambrano gave his longest outing of the season last night, but he had extra motivation: Big Z dedicated the game to his ailing nephew in Venezuela. He went more than seven innings and gave up only one run while whiffing eight. The Cubs scored their five runs on homers by Alfonso Soriano and Tyler Colvin. But Carlos Marmol... yeesh. In the ninth, he gave up three runs via two walks, a single, and a double. (Oh, and he balked.) He got the save, but is that what an ace closer does? We're not so sure.

ESPN Chicago: Carlos Zambrano K's 8; flies home to Venezuela... [+ video]
Chicago Tribune: Zambrano dedicates 5-4 victory to ill nephew
Chicago Sun-Times: Pitching with a 'heavy heart,' Zambrano turns in winner
CSN Chicago: Starting over, Zambrano wins for his nephew [+ video]
MLB: Big Z draws strength from family in win [+ video]

Desperately Seeking Sandberg
Spending Some Time with the Cubs Legend
The Daily Herald's Bruce Miles recently got some face time with Cubs legend and Triple-A Iowa manager Ryne Sandberg. Miles learned Sandberg comes to the park some six hours before game time to hit grounders and throw batting practice. Sandberg says he'll let fast players steal bases, and he likes to hit and run. And the reserved Sandberg has developed an aggressive edge: "I like to go for the win and force the issue and try to win a game as opposed to sitting back," he said. Sounds pretty good to us.

Daily Herald: Sandberg's managing style: work hard, trust instincts
Daily Herald: Iowa players go to bat praising the Sandberg way
Daily Herald: Sandberg gets ejected — again

Tough Enough
How Hard Is Cubs Job, Really?
Toward the end of his tenure in Chicago, Lou Piniella repeatedly said how hard it was to manage the Cubs. Ed Sherman of Crain's takes issue with that idea, saying it's undoubtedly easier than managing in Piniella's previous cities of Cincinnati or Tampa Bay. "You have an ownership that is willing to pay top dollar for players and a passionate fan base that will bow at your feet at the slightest whiff of success. Name me other situations that are better for a manager," Sherman says. Good point.

Crain's: Cubs managing job isn't as tough as others

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History Lesson
A Look at the Cubs Through the Decades
If your view of Cubs' history goes back to Kerry Wood, you might want to check out the team's ESPN timeline. It details the Cubs' eras by their notable players, starting with the Cap Anson Era from 1876 to 1894. Did you know Anson played and managed the team (then the White Stockings) and led them to five National League championships? Then there are eras belonging to players like Hippo Vaughn, Ernie Banks, and Bill Madlock. We're not so sure that the last few years would belong to Carlos Zambrano, as the article says, but....

ESPN: The Chicago Cubs, by 'eras'

An Uncivil War
Cubs Face Sox in ESPN's Fictitious World Series
Ever wonder who would win if the all-time best players from the Cubs and White Sox faced off? ESPN is trying to answer that very question. And wouldn't you know: This theoretical World Series is going to a seventh game. We're not so sure about its accuracy — at this point, Ernie Banks is 0-for-20 — but it is interesting to watch. Meanwhile, Hack Wilson is batting .375, and Mark Grace and Ryne Sandberg are at .346. Sammy Sosa? He's at .136. What a surprise. Game 7 is today....

ESPN Chicago: Ultimate Rivalry

The Cubs called up left-handed pitcher Scott Maine and sent down the struggling Justin Berg... The Cubs have created a no-peanut zone for Monday's game... The rehabbing Carlos Silva will pitch for the Single-A Peoria Chiefs on Friday... Are you on Twitter? Make sure you follow Cubs Fan Report (@cubsfanrpt) and enter our retweet contest that runs through today. You could win two rooftop tickets for the August 30 Cubs game where Andre Dawson will be honored!

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