Illinois

A scout for the Cubs on Monday witnessed the now-infamous fan in Houston who eluded a foul ball that hit his girlfriend. Jim Hendry today consequently announced the Cubs signing of the young man to a contact through the remainder of the 2010 season.

Cubs Fantasy Camp at Wrigley Field is the latest in a series of revenue-enhancers announced by the Cubs in 2010, following the PNC Club, the Toyota sign and the Noodle. The cost for the event, which is running Monday and Tuesday is $7,500 per person.

With their season once again in the proverbial toilet, Cubs brass has decided to take advantage of the team's losing ways by signing a lucrative sponsorship deal with Kohler Plumbing, while unveiling an ingenious advertising campaign, "Flush This Season Out Of Your Mind."

Jerry Angelo has always commanded little respect around the league, but until this season most in the Bears family maintained their loyalty to the beleaguered general manager. That situation has apparently changed, as Angelo spent Friday night's Soldier Field Family Night practice with a "Kick Me" sign stuck to his back.

Lou Piniella has officially announced that this will be his last year as the Cubs manager, and he will retire from baseball at the end of the season. In an effort to get a jumpstart on his retirement, Sweet Lou will manage the rest of the season wearing Tommy Bahama clothing. With summer in full swing, the change in wardrobe makes sense for the Cubs skipper.

Incoming offensive coordinator Mike Martz says he's excited to be working with the Bears, a team "considerably better" than that of Palatine High School in Chicago's Northwest suburbs, where he was going to coach before he got the job at Halas Hall. He had been working with the high school team this spring in preparation for their 2010 season.

Four friends hanging in the basement of Wrigleyville resident John Hobson's house confirmed Monday night what most Cubs fans have known most of this season: The team is officially impossible to watch sober.