Cubs

Thousands of die-hard Cubs fans look forward to mingling with current and former Cubs players, broadcasters and front office executives each January at the Cubs Convention, but this year, many fans were shocked by an unexpected appearance from former superstar Sammy Sosa. The once-beloved North Side slugger made his first appearance with the organization since fleeing the ballpark during the last game of the 2004 campaign.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley approved a 25 percent city tax the week on the purchase of any lanyard, including those used as passes by Cubs fans at the team's annual convention held this weekend.

The Cubs came to terms Wednesday with 37-year-old pitcher Jon Lieber on a one-year, $3.5 million deal plus incentives. Lieber--who pitched for the North Siders from 1999 to 2001 and is the last Cub to win 20-games--is penciled in as the team's fifth starter heading into Spring Training.

Just last week, the trade of Oriole Brian Roberts to the Cubs appeared imminent as Chicago was set to jettison Ronny Cedeno, Sean Marshall and Sean Gallagher to Baltimore in exchange for the All-Star second baseman. But Orioles President Andy MacPhail--who was president/CEO of the Cubs from 1994 to 2006--has apparently soured on the deal and has asked the Cubs to increase their offer.

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig announced Friday the creation of a new Department of Investigations and on Monday handed out 30-game suspensions to several players, including Cubs pitchers Jason Marquis and Ryan Dempster. The Department is primarily responsible for conducting all investigations into violations of MLB's rules and policies, including investigations related to the use, possession or distribution of performance-enhancing substances by Major League or Minor League players, and other threats to the integrity of the game.

Undaunted by Brian Roberts' name appearing in the Mitchell Report and his subsequent admission to using steroids, Cubs GM Jim Hendry is set to acquire the Orioles second baseman, according to reports on Chicagosports.com. The reported deal has the Cubs acquiring Roberts in exchange for infielder Ronny Cedeno, and young pitchers Sean Gallagher and Sean Marshall.

Shawon Dunston and his family waited eagerly around their telephone Tuesday in their Phoenix-area home hoping to get a call from the Baseball Hall of Fame. That call never came. A Jan. 1 column by Cubs.com reporter Carrie Muskat touting Dunston as a legitimate Hall Fame candidate built up false hope for the former Cubs All-Star.