When it comes to TV numbers, NFL is king. According to cable.tv, all 17 weeks of the NFL regular season, the highest-rated game of that day was also the highest-rated of any show in its time slot. The NFL does so well in TV, in fact, that even a Sunday Night Football can top a competing World Series matchup.

The same applies to fantasy, too. According to Hollywood Reporter, fantasy football is a billion-dollar business consisting of 27 million players each year. Compare that against the 11 million that play fantasy baseball and it’s not even close. Most of the unbalance is due to the NFL’s popularity, but a large portion falls on the heavy statistics behind the game of baseball. "Knocked Up" famously poked fun at the sport with the line, "it’s just a bunch of nerds playing fantasy baseball," but it turns out that those who rely on math alone may be getting it all wrong.

Gambler’s Law

If I flipped a quarter 10 times in a row and landed heads each time, what would you bet for the next flip? Gambler’s law states that, while you might think the quarter is destined to land on heads just one more time, the previous outcome weighs no bearing on future outcomes. If a running back finishes a season with more than 2,000 yards rushing, they’ll likely be the No. 1 pick in most drafts the next year (though Chris Johnson makes us think twice about that now).

But in baseball, you can’t rely on consistency as a determining factor when making selections. For example, throughout the past four seasons, only one player scored 100 runs and also drove in another 100 in each of those seasons – Ryan Braun. Justin Upton’s highest career batting average at any field is Chase, where he hit .307. His second highest is .293 at Turner field where he’ll be giving run support to the Braves instead of hitting against them. So those "variables" have to be considered when looking at past statistics.

Mock Drafts

NFL draft orders are like clockwork. Given enough mock drafts and a league consisting of players who know what they’re doing, you could almost predict each pick and they’re falling in line. With baseball, it’s chaos. No amount of mock drafts can prepare you (completely) for the randomness of a fantasy baseball draft. Two keys factors with this: injuries and the farm system. Injuries in baseball are more sporadic and random than most sports, and the farm system pushes players into the available position that were never considered in a mock draft the previous week.

The Curious Case of Mike Trout

Mike Trout’s rookie season was one of the most unique in baseball history with a .326 average, 129 runs, 30 home runs and 83 RBIs. Oh, and add almost 50 stolen bases to that lineup. ESPN’s 2013 predictions are realistically lowered as no rookie in the history of baseball has repeated like that in his sophomore season, but it’s still likely that Trout will go number one in most drafts this year.

Not saying he isn’t worth it, but if you’re lucky enough to have that first pick— remember Chris Johnson.

Guest post by Craig Wolf; a TV and sports writer

  I’ve twice run my ipod through the washing machine, on accident of course. It still works to this day, and is now seven years old.

This week I accidentally ran my hand held radio through a full spin cycle—after leaving it in the pocket of my sweatshirt.

The front case, as you can see, was knocked off, so was the battery flap, and the tuning knob was spinning like a pinwheel.

As a sports radio junkie, this devise goes just about everywhere I go around the condo—kitchen, bathroom, Man cave. It’s a part of my daily routine, or was, until I gave it a thorough cleaning.

No way it would work again, right? Well, much to my surprise, after drying out for 24 hours it did! Chicago Cubs baseball is back on the air!

Truth be told, I shouldn’t be so shocked this little guy survived. It has, after all, endured two National League Division sweeps and a 101-loss season.

Thankfully, it should also be around for better days ahead, assuming I don’t accidentally iron it, flush it or cook it in the microwave.

Opening day is 18 short days away. On a more somber note, here’s a look at three Cubs players having a tough go of it this spring.

Two are battling injuries, another can’t seem to make contact. Click here

Ernie Banks narrates the 30-second spot reminding us “it’s time to get young again.” No doubt the Cubs have a youthful roster, the fifth youngest in the bigs to be exact.

But I’m already looking forward to next year’s “it’s time to get good again” campaign. Is that jumping the gun? Either way, this spot gets the juices flowing.

We’re now just 20 days out from opening day (April 1), and 27 days away from the home opener against Milwaukee (April 8). Can’t wait.

This gives me goosebumps.2013 @cubs baseball on @wgntv !!youtube.com/watch?v=Ufm8RP…

— Len Kasper (@LenKasper) March 12, 2013

Who can forget the Cubs’ first round draft pick in 2003–Ryan Harvey.

Jim Hendry used the 6th overall pick to draft the Florida high school outfielder with a shotgun arm and raw plate power. Unfortunately, Harvey wasn’t able to showcase those talents in the big leagues. He never made it past Double-A with Chicago.

His best minor league season came in 2005 with low-level Single-A Peoria where he hit 24 HRs, 30 doubles and drove in 100 runs in 117 games.

Harvey spent the following season at high-level Single-A Daytona hitting 20 HRs, 25 doubles and driving in 84 runs in 122 games.

But despite Harvey’s ever present power, improving his batting average and on-base percentage proved to be a continuous struggle.

Strikeouts, in particular, plagued Harvey throughout his minor league journey–most notably 137 Ks in 2005 and 125 Ks in 2006.

His on-base percentage, not surprisingly, hovered around .300, and eventually slipped into the low 200s at Double-A.

By 2009 Harvey was out of the Cubs’ system, leaving another black eye on Hendry’s draft selections. Granted, the former GM did select Tim Lincecum in 2003, but more on that choice and the rest of the Cubs’ picks later.

Hind sight being 20-20, Hendry missed big-time on some awfully good players who came out of the 2003 draft.

{1st Overall: Delmon Young (Tampa Bay), 2nd Overall: Rickie Weeks (Milwaukee), 3rd Overall: Kyle Seeth (Detroit), 4th Overall: Tim Stauffer (San Diego) and 5th Overall: Chris Lubanski (Kansas City) were taken prior to Harvey.}

Below lists first round picks taken after Harvey, which is comprised mostly of players who have gone on to have quality big league careers, or at the very least, reached the major leagues.

-7th Overall: Nick Markakis (Baltimore)
-8th Overall: Paul Maholm (Pittsburgh)
*Went (9-6, 3.74) in 21 stats with the Cubs last year.

-9th Overall: John Danks (Texas)
-10th Overall: Ian Stewart (Colorado)
*I’m including Stewart because he’s a current Cub.

-13th Overall: Aaron Hill (Toronto)
-17th Overall: David Murphy (Boston)
-18th Overall: Brad Snyder (Cleveland)
*The Cubs later claimed him on waivers in 2009 where he hit .308, 25 HRs and drove in 106 runs with Triple-A Iowa. He played sparingly for Chicago the following two seasons appearing in 20 games total.

-20th Overall: Chad Cordero (Montreal)
-22nd Overall: David Aardsma (San Francisco)
*The Cubs traded for Aardsma (and Jerome Williams) in 2005 sending the Giants in return LaTroy Hawkins and cash. Aardsma went (3-0, 4.08) in 45 games for Chicago in 2006 before he was flipped to the White Sox for Neal Cotts.

-24th Overall: Chad Billingsley (Los Angeles)
-29th Overall: Carlos Quentin (Arizona)

Now a look at some of the more notable Supplemental draft picks in 2003.

-31st pick: Matt Murton (Boston)
*The Cubs would acquire Murton the following season as part of the Nomar Garciaparra trade. Big Red played in parts of four seasons with the Cubs before being packaged with Josh Donaldson, Sean Gallagher and Eric Patterson in a trade to Oakland for Chad Gaudin and Rich Harden in July of 2008.

-36th pick: Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Atlanta)
-37th pick: Adam Jones (Seattle)

Other notable selections from the 2003 draft.

-Rd 2: Andre Ethier (Oakland)
-Rd 4: Jonathan Papelbon (Boston)
-Rd 4: Michael Bourn (Philadelphia)
-Rd 6: Matt Kemp (Los Angeles)
-Rd 7: Ian Kinsler (Texas)
-Rd 24: Brian Wilson (San Francisco)
-Rd 30: Jonny Venters (Atlanta)

Notable Cubs selections in the 2003 draft.

-Rd 2: Jake Fox
-Rd 6: Sean Marshall
-Rd 10: Casey McGehee
-Rd 14: Matt LaPorta
-Rd 24: Sam Fuld
-Rd 48: Tim Lincecum
*Yes, the Freak was drafted by Hendry but didn’t sign. Two years later Cleveland selected Lincecum in the 42nd round, but did not sign. The Giants won the lottery in 2006 taking Lincecum 10th overall.

From Oak Lawn, Illinois.
Played college ball at Tulane.
A 1st Rd Draft pick with Houston.
Converted from pitcher to outfielder in 2008.
Hit a pinch-hit, walkoff grand slam vs. Carlos Marmol on Aug. 16, 2011.
Signed minor league contract with Cubs this winter.
This spring: 12 Games, hitting .455/.520/.864.
Name That Cub! (Answer after the jump)

(more…)

I’ve never been one to get head-over-heels about spring training, other than it signaling the near-end of a long offseason.

Granted there are some interesting position battles each spring, which I understand the spring statistics can play a part in determining final roster cuts, but mostly I keep my fingers crossed the Cubs’ regulars make it to opening day healthy.

Injuries, however, have been mounting for the Cubs since Matt Garza went down with a sore left lat muscle on Feb. 7. Early indications suggested the injury was not serious and would only sideline Garza one week.

Garza, however, didn’t return until two weeks later, when he again felt discomfort throwing. Although the organization, manager Dale Sveum and Garza insist the Cubs are only playing it cautious with the right-hander, he’s not expected to be available through the first month of the regular season.

Dontrelle Willis pulled up lame with shoulder soreness after throwing his first seven pitches this spring. He immediately left the game and has yet to return.

Ian Stewart, who was expected to platoon with Luis Valbuena as the starting third basemen, has been battling a left-quad strain, which has limited him to light jogging and fielding practice.

There’s no question the untimely injury is putting Stewart, who’s playing on a non-guaranteed contract, in jeopardy of not making the team out of spring camp. He’s yet to appear in a Cactus League game.

Third base prospect Josh Vitters is also suffering from a quad strain and has not appeared in game action.

Super utility man Brent Lillibridge entered camp as a favorite to win an opening day roster spot. But he only saw action in five games before suffering a groin strain in early March. He’s still a candidate to make the team if he’s able to return relatively soon.

Aside from Garza, the most concerning setback is with Starlin Castro.
He suffered a tight left hamstring while running out an infield hit on Feb. 27. The Cubs, not surprisingly, have been extra cautious with two-time All-Star’s return.

Castro played in all 162 games last season becoming the first Cubs shortstop ever to do so.

“It was more tight than a pull or anything like that, so he’s just day to day. Thank God, nothing real major at all,” said Sveum.

The scrappy former Cubs outfielder sliced his left hand while attempting to steal second base in a Cactus League game yesterday. The laceration required eight stitches.

Campana (.222/.263/.389) has 4 hits in 19 plate appearances this spring, including 2 runs batted in and a run scored. He’s drawn 1 walk vs. 5 strikeouts and is 1-for-2 in stolen bases. 

Per Hardball Talk:

“Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that Diamondbacks outfielder Tony Campana suffered a lacerated left hand Thursday while trying to steal second base during a Cactus League game against the Brewers and wound up needing eight stitches.

Campana will likely be held out of baseball activities for the next several days while the laceration heals.

The 26-year-old speedster was acquired from the Cubs this offseason in exchange for minor league right-handers Erick Leal and Jesus Castillo. He boasts 54 stolen bases in 59 career attempts and is currently in the running for a spot on Arizona’s bench.”

"If they ever cut the ivy down, they’ll find a hundred baseballs
in there." -Andre Dawson

-Wrigley Field underwent more changes in 1927.
-Upper deck seating became available, but only in left field.
-A year later the right field seating was completed in 1928.
-In turn, the Cubs began setting attendance records.
-1,485,166 fans set a new team attendance record in 1929.
-Attendance June 27, 1930 vs. Brooklyn Robins: 51,556
-Still the largest crowd ever for baseball at Wrigley Field.

Happy Friday. Cubs single game tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m. CST.

We’re basically a month out from the Cubs’ home opener vs. Milwaukee on Monday, April 8. Details for purchasing tickets are listed below, per the Cubs website. See you in the virtual waiting room…

Your options to purchase tickets:
-Visit www.cubs.com
-Call 1-800-THE-CUBS (800-843-2827)
 
Via the Internet:
-Visitors to cubs.com can purchase tickets beginning at 10 a.m.
-A virtual waiting room will be used for all Internet orders.
*The virtual waiting room will begin accepting customers at 9:30 a.m.
-At 10 a.m., customers will be selected from the virtual waiting room.
*All Internet customers will need a valid Cubs.com account.

By Telephone:
Tickets can be purchased by telephone beginning at 10 a.m.
Call 1-800-THE-CUBS (800-843-2827)

*Customers will be limited to eight tickets per Marquee game.
*For updated ticket pricing, please visit www.cubs.com.

Chicago Cubs Ticket Office at 773-404-4242