NL Central

This piece was originally published on June 4, 2009 when Sammy Sosa announced he would retire.

In a move that was typical of the strange ending of his baseball career, Sammy Sosa announced Wednesday that he'll announce his retirement sometime soon.

That's right, an announcement that he's going to make an announcement.

Sosa has seen an incredibly awkward fall from grace on Chicago's North Side, where he became one of the greatest power hitters in the history of the game.

Date: June 16, 2009
Time: 8:15pm
Teams: Detroit Tigers at St. Louis Cardinals
Park: Busch Stadium
Weather: 83 and partly cloudy. Chance of rain later in the evening.
Starting Pitchers: Justin Verlander(7-2, 3.02)  Adam Wainwright(6-4, 3.49)
Records: Detroit(34-29)  St. Louis(34-30)
Last 10 Games: Detroit(6-4)  St. Louis(3-7)

My Two Cents

After a week or so of below-average baseball, the Cardinals still find themselves in second place in the NL Central.

Before the 2009 season started, there were three teams that were widely viewed as possible contenders for the National League Central crown: the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Cincinnati Reds.

The Cubs were the defending NL Central champs, had the best record in the National League in 2008, and were easily the most talented team in the division.

The Cardinals had the best player in baseball, Albert Pujols, several talented role players, and expected to see a return to dominance of Chris Carpenter.

On Sunday, in a move that can be described as nothing more than blaming the easiest target, the Chicago Cubs fired hitting coach Gerald Perry.

General Manager Jim Hendry threw around the cliche sound bites, saying that a "new voice" was needed and that the team's stars aren't performing to their historical abilities.

What Hendry didn't say was: "I paid $30 million for an overrated right fielder and, with a series of questionable moves, destroyed the chemistry on the best team in the National League."

But what was important was that he stuck to the cliches.

Filed: June 12, 2009

Milton Bradley reacts to his eighth-inning blooper Friday (Cubbie Nation/file)

Click here for the photo gallery of Friday's game.

• Date: June 13, 2009
• Time: 7:05 p.m.
• Teams: Detroit Tigers at Pittsburgh Pirates
• Park: PNC Park
• Weather: 72 degrees and cloudy, 30 percent chance of rain
• Starting Pitchers: Aramando Galarraga (3-6, 5.19)  Zach Duke (6-4, 3.07)
• Records: Detroit (34-27)  Pittsburgh (28-33)
• Last 10 Games: Detroit (6-4)  Pi