Cubs News

Joe Garagiola who spent nine seasons in Major League Baseball before building a legendary career as a broadcaster, died on Wednesday at the age of 90, his family said. Garagiola received the Ford Frick Award by the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991 after serving as the voice of baseball at the NBC network for nearly 30 years, beginning in 1961.

For the majority of the 2015 season, Cubs manager Joe Maddon had the pitcher bat eighth. This year, he'll most likely return to the normal National League format.

April 5, 2010, was not an Opening Day that Cubs fans want to remember, but it's one Jason Heyward won't forget.

Backup catcher David Ross might be the only player in baseball who can hit .176/.267/.252, as he did last season, and be considered invaluable.

(Reuters) - The New York Yankees are Major League Baseball's most valuable team for a 19th consecutive year, coming in at nearly triple the league's average value, according to a survey released by Forbes on Wednesday. The 27-time World Series champion Yankees were valued at $3.4 billion, a 6 percent jump from last year and comfortably above the second-ranked Los Angeles Dodgers, whose value rose 4 percent to $2.5 billion. The average MLB team is now worth $1.3 billion, a 7 percent rise from last year, which Forbes attributed to new, or anticipated, richer national broadcasting deals.

March 23 (Reuters) - The New York Yankees are Major League Baseball's most valuable team for a 19th consecutive year, coming in at nearly triple the league's average value, according to a survey released by Forbes on Wednesday. The 27-time World Series champion Yankees were valued at $3.4 billion, a 6 percent jump from last year and comfortably above the second-ranked Los Angeles Dodgers, whose value rose 4 percent to $2.5 billion. The average MLB team is now worth $1.3 billion, a 7 percent rise from last year, which Forbes attributed to new, or anticipated, richer national broadcasting deals. ...

Forbes estimates the New York Yankees are worth $3.4 billion, up 6 percent from last year and the highest evaluation for the 19th straight year. In its annual rankings, released Wednesday, Forbes claims the average value of a Major League Baseball team increased 7 percent in the last year to $1.3 billion. It projects the Los Angeles Dodgers as second at $2.5 billion, followed by Boston ($2.3 billion), San Francisco ($2.25 billion), the Chicago Cubs ($2.2 billion) and the New York Mets ($1.65 billion).

Then he turned to his left and shook the hand of his seatmate and Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro. In the landmark game, the first visit by a major league team to the communist island since 1999, the Rays beat the Cuban national team 4-1 on Tuesday. James Loney homered and drove in three runs, and Matt Moore and the Tampa Bay pitchers shut out the Cubans until Rudy Reyes homered in the ninth inning.

Derek Norris hit a two-run homer, doubled in two more and threw out a pair of runners trying to steal, leading the San Diego Padres to a 17-5 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. Padres starter Andrew Cashner overcame a rocky first and went six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with four strikeouts. It's getting up, getting down, getting up, getting down,'' Cashner said.

Manager Joe Maddon met with the Cubs' position players Tuesday to discuss the importance of situational hitting and the need to get off to a good start.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) -- Anthony Rizzo hit his second home run of the spring and Jason Hammel pitched five solid innings Tuesday, sending the Chicago Cubs to a 9-6 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

Cubs players never know what to expect at morning stretch, and on Tuesday, strength coach Tim Buss appeared wearing a gray T-shirt and black leggings with his face painted white similar to a mime. Then Buss was joined by another full-fledged mime, complete with a red beret, white gloves and bow tie.

Kyle Schwarber of the Cubs might be known for his bat, but on Tuesday against the Reds,

In an exhibition game that had no shortage of rallies, Devin Mesoraco slugged a home run for the Reds while Anthony Rizzo crushed one of his own for the Cubs. In the end, it was Chicago that emerged with the 9-6 victory on Tuesday at Goodyear Ballpark.

Wil Myers hit a two-run homer and a three-run double in an eight-run fourth inning that powered the San Diego Padres to an 8-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night. Myers, moving from the outfield to first base in his second season with San Diego, entered hitting .167 this spring. ''The first half of spring training I was really bad, the worst I've ever been,'' Myers said.

The Boston Red Sox made some big splashes this winter. While David Price and Craig Kimbrel were the big names, reliever Carson Smith could have a huge impact on the team this season. [ 2016 Yahoo Fantasy Baseball is open for business. Sign up now ] That is, if he can remain on the field. Smith left Monday's spring game after throwing just five pitches due to forearm pain , according to the Boston Herald. While early tests were "optimistic," Smith is clearly worried about the issue, telling the Herald, "I'm concerned, it's my career." Smith will meet with a team physician Monday night, and will likely undergo an MRI in the coming days. Smith may not be as well known as Price or Kimbrel, but the 26-year-old put up impressive stats last season. Though 70 innings, he posted a 2.31 ERA with an eye-popping 92 strikeouts. His 32.4 percent strikeout rate ranked 11th among qualified relievers last season. OTHER SPRING HEADLINES Getting better: What role has baseball played in the improving relationship between the United States and Cuba? [ Tim Brown ] Not yet: Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier still can't put weight on his leg, and was sent for a bone scan Monday. [ @McCulloughTimes ] He's out: Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal was pulled from Monday's game after aggravating a forearm injury. [ @McCulloughTimes ] Expectations: The Chicago Cubs are having more fun than any team this spring. [ The Stew ] Need help? Despite the fact that Michael Brantley is ahead of schedule, the Cleveland Indians are still seeking help in the outfield. [ Fox Sports ] Decisions: Pitcher Ross Ohlendorf has opted out of his contract with the Kansas City Royals. The club now has 48 hours to put him on the roster or release him. [ @jcrasnick ] More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports: - - - - - - - Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik

Although John Lackey's age -- he's 37 -- may be considered a negative in baseball terms, he says it isn't a factor.

Plenty of top talent will be on display Wednesday at Surprise Stadium as the Rangers and Cubs go head-to-head in an unique doubleheader.

Ian Happ, the Cubs' top pick in last June's Draft, is back at second base. He's doing extra work every day and is making the most of his first Spring Training, and he has received one at-bat in a Cactus League game.