Former Mets pitcher Don Cardwell died yesterday at the age of 72 in North Carolina. Traded to the Lovable Loser Mets in 1966, Cardwell's performance during 1969 mirrored that of the team itself and helped the Mets win the their division title on the way to their first World Series Championship. Like the Mets, Cardwell started the '69 season in a lackluster manner, posting a 3-9 win-loss record through the first four months of the season. The Mets were 10 games behind the Chicago Cubs heading into August. more ›

Last Sunday, Mets pitcher Tom Glavine finally won his 300th career game with a victory over the Chicago Cubs. To honor Glavine, Mayor Bloomberg presented the 41-year old lefty the Key to the City on Wednesday. This was enough to upset at least one New Yorker. more ›

Perhaps the best news so far this off-season for the Yankees is the hiring of Lou Piniella by the Chicago Cubs. While that has no direct consequence on the Yankees right now, there are reports that Piniella wants the Cubbies to "aggressively pursue" the beleaguered Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez. While A-Rod has a no trade clause and says he wants to remain with the Yankees, moving to the Cubs (who are accustomed to losing), would put Rodriguez in a less pressure laden situation for the $25-million man. Plus moving to the friendly confines of Wrigley would help the future hall of framer's numbers and Rodriguez could probably move back to shortstop. more ›

What the heck? The Crain's reports that Rudy Giuliani and a team of other investors may make a bid to buy the Chicago Cubs. Hall of Fame Cubs shortstop Ernie Banks ("Let's Play Two!") is interested in buying the team, though current owner, the Tribune Co. claims the team is not for sale (in spite of other scuttlebutt that Mark Cuban may be interested in the Cubs as well). And Banks says Giuliani Partners and LA-based Comstock Capital approached him about the deal, but neither firm would confirm that much. more ›

When Gothamist gets concerned about the Mets, it’s because of pitchers like Victor Zambrano. His lack of control (25 walks in 38 innings!) should make more than us concerned. He pitched well on Wednesday, and so did the bullpen until Bell surrendered the home run. Losses are always tougher in games where even the fine efforts of struggling players cannot bring a victory. more ›

Of course, Gothamist is extremely excited about next week's episode, "Three Strikes and Your Out," which we saw being filmed a few weeks ago:

When the most hated Yankee's fan in New York is stabbed to death at a local dive bar, Detectives Briscoe and Green search for a suspect believing the killer to be a vengeful baseball fan. However, when their prime suspect turns out to be a recently released convict who had been serving a twenty year sentence for a murder he did not commit, the detectives adopt a new theory on the motive for this murder.

Well, Chicago Cubs, the Curse of the Goat continues. It was a good run. You have Dusty Baker next year. Your overzealous fan apologized, though undercover because of purported death threats (Florida Governor Jeb Bush offered him asylum), too. Next year? more ›

Chicago Cubs, you squander your 3 run lead in the eighth inning and let the Marlins score 8. And an assumed Cubs fan may have interfered with a play! This, of course, reminds New Yorkers of little 12 year-old Jeff Maier (ranked number 4 on The Sporting News' list of the top 25 Unusual and Unforgettable Baseball moments) who turned a possible fly ball into a home run for Derek Jeter, helping the Yankees win Game 1 of the 1996 ALCS. However, the Chicago last night correctly ruled no fan interference, but that doesn't mean Moises Alou ain't pissed. If it all hangs on that moment, then maybe next year? And while watching the local Chicago Fox station's post-game coverage, the sports reporter claimed that the kid who caught the ball was escorted out of the park by security with his sweater over his head. NBC 5 reported that a firefight sitting next to Chicago public enemy number one said the ball looked to be coming at the fan and if in fact the fan had interfered, the firefight would have shoved him out of the way. Brilliant. more ›