Illinois

Many fans are railing on the Cubs for spending $10 million on a one-year contract for .196-hitting Carlos Pena, but the acquisition raises the team batting average five points from last season.

Cubs GM Jim Hendry signed Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Carlos Pena to a one-year $10 million contract despite his .196 batting average last season, which is equal to the blood-alcohol level reached by you and your friends after a fun night of drinking this summer.

The Cubs lost a legend Friday with the passing of Ron Santo, but they plan to let the passionate radio broadcaster's legacy live on for all of the upcoming season. The team announced Monday they'll play the infamous clip of Santo's "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" reaction to Brant Brown's dropped fly ball against the Brewers in 1998 on the Wrigley PA after every bad play in 2011.

Devin Hester looked ready to break the NFL record for combined return TDs Sunday, but was tripped up by Lions punter Nick Harris. The league decided to take action after yet another near-perfect Hester return ended by a shoelace tackle by the opposing kicker or punter.

The White Sox surprised many Friday when they signed free agent 1B/DH Adam Dunn to a four-year, $56 million contract. Dunn was in Chicago to talk with the media about his new deal. "Me play...

Ron Santo's passing marks a sad day for all Cubs fans and observers. The raw emotion he brought to games made you feel like you were following the game live with your grandfather, and that's probably the best way to take in baseball. He'll be missed by anyone who followed the Cubs.

I approached Ron Santo while exuberantly saying that I was with The Heckler. He looked at me like I was crazy.