2009 Chicago Cubs season explained

Chicago Cubs
Season:2009
League:National League
Division:Central
Ballpark:Wrigley Field
City:Chicago
Record:83–78 (.516)
Divisional Place:2nd
Television:WGN-TV
WGN America
CSN Chicago
CSN Chicago Plus
WCIU-TV
(Len Kasper, Bob Brenly)
Radio:WGN (AM)
Chicago Cubs Radio Network
(Pat Hughes, Ron Santo, Judd Sirott)

The 2009 Chicago Cubs season was the 138th season of the Chicago Cubs franchise, the 134th in the National League and the 94th at Wrigley Field. The Cubs, attempting to win the National League Central for the third consecutive season, fell short by finishing in second place with a record of 83–78.

Minor League affiliates

In 2009 The Chicago Cubs had three minor league affiliates. The team's Single-A affiliate is the Peoria Chiefs, located in Peoria. The Chicago Cubs' Double-A affiliate is the Tennessee Smokies based in the Knoxville, Tennessee metropolitan area. Finally the Chicago Cubs Triple-A Affiliate is the Iowa Cubs, located in Iowa. The Iowa Cubs were coached by former Cub and Hall of Fame player Ryne Sandberg in 2009. Sandberg previously coached the Chiefs and Smokies as well.

Regular season

Game log

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 1 || April 6 || @ Astros || 4–2 || Zambrano (1–0) || Oswalt (0–1) || Gregg (1) || 43,827 || 1–0|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 2 || April 7 || @ Astros || 2–3 (10) || Brocail (1–0) || Cotts (0–1) || || 31,121 || 1–1|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 3 || April 8 || @ Astros || 11–6 || Lilly (1–0) || Moehler (0–1) || || 30,047 || 2–1|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 4 || April 10 || @ Brewers || 3–4 || Villanueva (1–0) || Gregg (0–1) || || 45,455 || 2–2|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 5 || April 11 || @ Brewers || 6–5 || Heilman (1–0) || Villanueva (1–1) || Mármol (1) || 43,768 || 3–2|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 6 || April 12 || @ Brewers || 8–5 || Dempster (1–0) || Suppan (0–2) || || 40,168 || 4–2|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 7 || April 13 || Rockies || 4–0 || Lilly (2–0) || Jiménez (1–1) || || 40,077 || 5–2|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 8 || April 15 || Rockies || 2–5 || Marquis (2–0) || Harden (0–1) || Grilli (1) || 39,361 || 5–3|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 9 || April 16 || Cardinals || 4–7 || Wainwright (2–0) || Patton (0–1) || Franklin (2) || 38,909 || 5–4|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 10 || April 17 || Cardinals || 8–7 || Heilman (2–0) || Pérez (0–1) || Mármol (2) || 40,250 || 6–4|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 11 || April 18 || Cardinals || 7–5 (11) || Guzmán (1–0) || Reyes (0–1) || || 40,878 || 7–4|- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb"| || April 19 || Cardinals || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain) – rescheduled for July 12|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 12 || April 21 || Reds || 7–2 || Harden (1–1) || Owings (0–2) || || 38,403 || 8–4|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 13 || April 22 || Reds || 0–3 || Cueto (1–1) || Lilly (2–1) || Cordero (6) || 38,738 || 8–5|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 14 || April 23 || Reds || 1–7 || Harang (2–2) || Zambrano (1–1) || || 40,039 || 8–6|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 15 || April 24 || @ Cardinals || 3–4 || McClellan (1–0) || Mármol (0–1) || Franklin (5) || 45,812 || 8–7|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 16 || April 25 || @ Cardinals || 2–8 || Boggs (1–0) || Marshall (0–1) || || 46,707 || 8–8|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 17 || April 26 || @ Cardinals || 10–3 || Harden (2–1) || Wellemeyer (1–2) || || 44,742 || 9–8|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 18 || April 27 || @ Diamondbacks || 2–7 || Haren (2–3) || Lilly (2–2) || || 29,471 || 9–9|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 19 || April 28 || @ Diamondbacks || 11–3 || Zambrano (2–1) || Petit (0–2) || || 30,351 || 10–9|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 20 || April 29 || @ Diamondbacks || 0–10 || Davis (2–3) || Dempster (1–1) || || 26,999 || 10–10|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 21 || April 30 || Marlins || 2–8 (10) || Pinto (2–0) || Heilman (2–1) || || 37,956 || 10–11|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 22 || May 1 || Marlins || 8–6 || Patton (1–1) || Badenhop (1–1) || Gregg (2) || 38,336 || 11–11|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 23 || May 2 || Marlins || 6–1 || Lilly (3–2) || Sánchez (1–3) || || 40,083 || 12–11|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 24 || May 3 || Marlins || 6–4 || Zambrano (3–1) || Nolasco (1–3) || Gregg (3) || 40,457 || 13–11|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 25 || May 4 || Giants || 4–2 || Dempster (2–1) || Sánchez (1–2) || Gregg (4) || 39,112 || 14–11|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 26 || May 5 || Giants || 2–6 || Lincecum (3–1) || Marshall (0–2) || || 39,497 || 14–12|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 27 || May 6 || @ Astros || 6–3 || Harden (3–1) || Hampton (1–3) || Gregg (5) || 29,415 || 15–12|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 28 || May 7 || @ Astros || 8–5 || Lilly (4–2) || Ortiz (2–1) || || 28,625 || 16–12|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 29 || May 8 || @ Brewers || 2–3 || Stetter (2–0) || Heilman (2–2) || Hoffman (5) || 42,025 || 16–13|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 30 || May 9 || @ Brewers || 6–12 || Gallardo (4–1) || Dempster (2–2) || || 44,428 || 16–14|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 31 || May 10 || @ Brewers || 4–2 || Marshall (1–2) || Suppan (2–3) || Gregg (6) || 41,646 || 17–14|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 32 || May 12 || Padres || 6–2 || Harden (4–1) || Peavy (2–5) || || 39,963 || 18–14|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 33 || May 13 || Padres || 6–4 (8) || Lilly (5–2) || Young (2–2) || Mármol (3) || 38,410 || 19–14|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 34 || May 14 || Padres || 11–3 || Dempster (3–2) || Gaudin (0–3) || || 39,728 || 20–14|- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb"| || May 15 || Astros || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain) – rescheduled for July 30|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 35 || May 16 || Astros || 5–4 || Marshall (2–2) || Hawkins (1–1) || || 40,549 || 21–14|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 36 || May 17 || Astros || 5–6 || Moehler (1–2) || Harden (4–2) || Sampson (1) || 40,478 || 21–15|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 37 || May 19 || @ Cardinals || 0–3 || Piñeiro (5–3) || Lilly (5–3) || || 41,374 || 21–16|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 38 || May 20 || @ Cardinals || 1–2 || Carpenter (2–0) || Dempster (3–3) || Franklin (10) || 41,703 || 21–17|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 39 || May 21 || @ Cardinals || 1–3 || Wainwright (4–2) || Marshall (2–3) || Franklin (11) || 44,235 || 21–18|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 40 || May 22 || @ Padres || 0–4 || Peavy (4–5) || Zambrano (3–2) || Bell (12) || 27,260 || 21–19|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 41 || May 23 || @ Padres || 1–3 || Geer (1–1) || Wells (0–1) || Mujica (1) || 37,798 || 21–20|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 42 || May 24 || @ Padres || 2–7 || Young (4–2) || Lilly (5–4) || || 39,593 || 21–21|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 43 || May 25 || Pirates || 8–10 || Gorzelanny (2–1) || Cotts (0–2) || Burnett (1) || 38,942 || 21–22|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 44 || May 26 || Pirates || 6–1 (6) || Marshall (3–3) || Snell (1–6) || || 38,303 || 22–22|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 45 || May 27 || Pirates || 5–2 || Mármol (1–1) || Chavez (0–2) || Gregg (7) || 38,314 || 23–22|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 46 || May 28 || Dodgers || 1–2 || Wolf (3–1) || Wells (0–2) || Troncoso (3) || 39,579 || 23–23|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 47 || May 29 || Dodgers || 2–1 || Lilly (6–4) || Billingsley (6–3) || Gregg (8) || 40,148 || 24–23|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 48 || May 30 || Dodgers || 7–0 || Dempster (4–3) || Stults (4–2) || || 41,153 || 25–23|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 49 || May 31 || Dodgers || 2–8 || Milton (2–0) || Marshall (3–4) || || 40,091 || 25–24|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 50 || June 2 || @ Braves || 5–6 (12) || Soriano (1–0) || Heilman (2–3) || || 30,262 || 25–25|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 51 || June 3 || @ Braves || 3–2 (11) || Guzmán (2–0) || Bennett (2–3) || Gregg (9) || 30,646 || 26–25|- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb"| || June 4 || @ Braves || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain) – rescheduled for June 22|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 52 || June 5 || @ Reds || 2–1 || Zambrano (4–2) || Owings (3–7) || Gregg (10) || 32,374 || 27–25|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 53 || June 6 || @ Reds || 3–4 (11) || Masset (3–0) || Marshall (3–5) || || 40,914 || 27–26|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 54 || June 7 || @ Reds || 6–3 (14) || Patton (2–1) || Lincoln (1–1) || Guzmán (1) || 32,629 || 28–26|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 55 || June 9 || @ Astros || 7–1 || Lilly (7–4) || Moehler (2–4) || || 29,669 || 29–26|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 56 || June 10 || @ Astros || 1–2 || Sampson (3–0) || Guzmán (2–1) || || 29,840 || 29–27|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 57 || June 11 || @ Astros || 1–2 (13) || Fulchino (2–1) || Ascanio (0–1) || || 34,250 || 29–28|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 58 || June 12 || Twins || 4–7 || Slowey (9–2) || Wells (0–3) || Nathan (14) || 41,509 || 29–29|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 59 || June 13 || Twins || 0–2 || Swarzak (2–2) || Harden (4–3) || Nathan (15) || 40,899 || 29–30|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 60 || June 14 || Twins || 3–2 || Mármol (2–1) || Crain (2–3) || || 40,814 || 30–30|- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb"| || June 16 || White Sox || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain) – rescheduled for September 3|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 61 || June 17 || White Sox || 1–4 || Danks (5–5) || Dempster (4–4) || Jenks (15) || 40,444 || 30–31|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 62 || June 18 || White Sox || 6–5 || Gregg (1–1) || Thornton (4–2) || || 40,467 || 31–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 63 || June 19 || Indians || 8–7 (10) || Gregg (2–1) || Vizcaíno (1–3) || || 40,155 || 32–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 64 || June 20 || Indians || 6–5 (13) || Patton (3–1) || Wood (2–3) || || 41,007 || 33–31|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 65 || June 21 || Indians || 6–2 || Wells (1–3) || Sowers (1–5) || Gregg (11) || 40,866 || 34–31|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 66 || June 22 || @ Braves || 0–2 || Vázquez (5–6) || Dempster (4–5) || Soriano (6) || 31,701 || 34–32|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 67 || June 23 || @ Tigers || 4–5 || Lyon (3–3) || Gregg (BS 3) (2–2) || || 38,046 || 34–33|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 68 || June 24 || @ Tigers || 3–5 || Miner (BS 2) (5–1) || Harden (4–4) || Rodney (15) || 36,438 || 34–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 69 || June 25 || @ Tigers || 5–6 || Galarraga (4–7) || Lilly (7–5) || Rodney (16) || 42,332 || 34–35|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 70 || June 26 || @ White Sox || 5–4 || Wells (2–3) || Contreras (2–7) || Gregg (12) || 39,015 || 35–35|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 71 || June 27 || @ White Sox || 7–8 || Jenks (2–2) || Marshall (3–6) || || 39,529 || 35–36|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 72 || June 28 || @ White Sox || 0–6 || Danks (6–6) || Zambrano (4–3) || || 39,745 || 35–37|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 73 || June 29 || @ Pirates || 3–1 || Harden (5–4) || Duke || Gregg (13) || 15,400 || 36–37|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 74 || June 30 || @ Pirates || 0–3 || Ohlendorf (7–6) || Lilly (7–6) || Capps (18) || 17,054 || 36–38|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 75 || July 1 || @ Pirates || 4–1 || Wells (3–3) || Vasquez (1–1) || Gregg (14) || 15,770 || 37–38|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 76 || July 2 || Brewers || 9–5 || Dempster (5–5) || McClung (3–2) || || 40,545 || 38–38|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 77 || July 3 || Brewers || 2–1 (10) || Gregg (3–2) || DiFelice (4–1) || || 41,204 || 39–38|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 78 || July 4 || Brewers || 2–11 || Looper (7–4) || Harden (5–5) || || 40,088 || 39–39|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 79 || July 5 || Brewers || 8–2 || Lilly (8–6) || Burns (1–2) || || 40,369 || 40–39|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 80 || July 6 || Braves || 4–2 || Wells (4–3) || Jurrjens (6–7) || Gregg (15) || 40,042 || 41–39|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 81 || July 7 || Braves || 1–2 || Vázquez (6–7) || Zambrano (4–4) || Soriano (9) || 40,359 || 41–40|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 82 || July 8 || Braves || 1–4 || Kawakami (5–6) || Hart (0–1) || Soriano (10) || 40,531 || 41–41|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 83 || July 10 || Cardinals || 3–8 || Carpenter (7–3) || Harden (5–6) || || 40,687 || 41–42 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 84 || July 11 || Cardinals || 5–2 || Lilly (9–6) || Thompson (2–6) || Gregg (16) || 41,210 || 42–42|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 85 || July 12 || Cardinals || 7–3 || Zambrano (5–4) || Lohse (4–5) || || 40,701 || 43–42|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 86 || July 12 || Cardinals || 2–4 || Wanwright (10–5) || Wells (4–4) || Franklin (21) || 41,244 || 43–43|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 87 || July 16 || @ Nationals || 6–2 || Harden (6–6) || Lannan (6–7) || || 26,980 || 44–43|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 88 || July 17 || @ Nationals || 3–1 || Zambrano (6–4) || Stammen (2–5) || Gregg (17) || 27,581 || 45–43|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 89 || July 18 || @ Nationals || 6–5 || Wells (5–4) || Zimmermann (3–5) || Gregg (18) || 36,014 || 46–43|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 90 || July 19 || @ Nationals || 11–3 || Hart (1–1) || Mock (0–3) || || 34,574 || 47–43|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 91 || July 20 || @ Phillies || 1–10 || Lopez (2–0) || Lilly (9–7) || Durbin (1) || 45,268 || 47–44|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 92 || July 21 || @ Phillies || 1–4 (13) || Condrey (6–2) || Samardzija (0–1) || || 45,214 || 47–45|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 93 || July 22 || @ Phillies || 10–5 || Zambrano (7–4) || Moyer (9–7) || Gregg (19) || 45,257 || 48–45|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 94 || July 24 || Reds || 8–5 || Wells (6–4) || Harang (5–11) || || 41,406 || 49–45|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 95 || July 25 || Reds || 5–3 || Hart (2–1) || Cueto (8–7) || Gregg (20) || 41,364 || 50–45|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 96 || July 26 || Reds || 5–2 || Harden (7–6) || Owings (6–11) || Gregg (21) || 41,528 || 51–45|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 97 || July 27 || Astros || 5–1 (13) || Samardzija (1–1) || Sampson (4–2) || || 40,794 || 52–45|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 98 || July 28 || Astros || 6–11 || Fulchino (4–3) || Guzmán (2–2) || || 40,814 || 52–46|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 99 || July 29 || Astros || 12–0 || Wells (7–4) || Hampton (6–8) || || 41,538 || 53–46|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 100 || July 30 || Astros || 12–3 || Hart (3–1) || Ortiz (3–6) || || 41,524 || 54–46 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 101 || July 31 || @ Marlins || 2–5 || Donnelly (1–0) || Mármol (2–2) || Núñez (9) || 25,024 || 54–47|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 102 || August 1 || @ Marlins || 9–8 (10) || Gregg (4–2) || Núñez (3–4) || Heilman (1) || 35,811 || 55–47|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 103 || August 2 || @ Marlins || 2–3 || Donnelly (2–0) || Gregg (4–3) || || 25,969 || 55–48 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 104 || August 3 || @ Reds || 4–2 || Wells (8–4) || Harang (5–13) || Mármol (4) || 22,222 || 56–48 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 105 || August 4 || @ Reds || 6–3 || Gorzelanny (4–1) || Cueto (8–9) || || 17,992 || 57–48|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 106 || August 5 || @ Reds || 0–4 || Lehr (1–0) || Harden (7–7) || || 22,098 || 57–49|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 107 || August 7 || @ Rockies || 2–6 || Jiménez (9–9) || Marshall (3–7) || || 46,118 || 57–50|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 108 || August 8 || @ Rockies || 6–5 || Dempster (6–5) || Marquis (12–8) || Gregg (22) || 47,845 || 58–50|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 109 || August 9 || @ Rockies || 5–11 || Hammel (7–6) || Wells (8–5) || || 40,217 || 58–51|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 110 || August 10 || @ Rockies || 5–11 || de la Rosa (10–8) || Gorzelanny (4–2) || || 34,485 || 58–52|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 111 || August 11 || Phillies || 3–4 || Eyre (2–1) || Gregg (4–4) || Durbin (2) || 41,477 || 58–53|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 112 || August 12 || Phillies || 5–12 || Martínez (1–0) || Samardzija (1–2) || || 41,133 || 58–54|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 113 || August 13 || Phillies || 1–6 || Lee (10–9) || Dempster (6–6) || || 41,100 || 58–55|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 114 || August 14 || Pirates || 17–2 || Wells (9–5) || Morton (2–6) || || 41,619 || 59–55|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 115 || August 15 || Pirates || 3–1 || Gorzelanny (5–2) || Duke (9–11) || Gregg (23) || 41,197 || 60–55|- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb"| || August 16 || Pirates || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain)|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 116 || August 17 || @ Padres || 1–4 || Bell (5–2) || Gregg (4–5) || || 23,420 || 60–56|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 117 || August 18 || @ Padres || 3–6 || Carrillo (1–1) || Dempster (6–7) || Bell (30) || 19,814 || 60–57|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 118 || August 19 || @ Padres || 7–1 || Harden (8–7) || Latos (4–3) || || 18,012 || 61–57|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 119 || August 20 || @ Dodgers || 2–7 || Belisario (2–3) || Guzmán (2–3) || || 48,974 || 61–58|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 120 || August 21 || @ Dodgers || 1–2 || Wolf (8–6) || Wells (9–6) || Broxton (27) || 51,579 || 61–59|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 121 || August 22 || @ Dodgers || 0–2 || Haeger (1–1) || Lilly (9–8) || Sherrill (21) || 49,297 || 61–60|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 122 || August 23 || @ Dodgers || 3–1 || Dempster (7–7) || Billingsley (12–7) || Mármol (5) || 49,711 || 62–60|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 123 || August 25 || Nationals || 6–15 || Mock (3–5) || Zambrano (7–5) || || 37,297 || 62–61|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 124 || August 26 || Nationals || 9–4 || Guzmán (3–3) || Bergmann (2–3) || || 36,562 || 63–61|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 125 || August 27 || Nationals || 4–5 || Martin (3–3) || Wells (9–7) || MacDougal (14) || 35,174 || 63–62|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 126 || August 28 || Mets || 5–2 || Gregg (5–5) || Stokes (1–3) || Mármol (6) || 39,381 || 64–62|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 127 || August 29 || Mets || 11–4 || Dempster (8–7) || Parnell (3–7) || || 40,857 || 65–62 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 128 || August 30 || Mets || 1–4 || Figueroa (1–3) || Zambrano (7–6) || Rodríguez (28) || 39,907 || 65–63|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 129 || August 31 || Astros || 3–5 || Oswalt (8–5) || Harden (8–8) || Valverde (20) || 36,990 || 65–64|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 130 || September 1 || Astros || 4–1 || Wells (10–7) || Moehler (8–10) || Mármol (7) || 36,332 || 66–64|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 131 || September 2 || Astros || 2–0 || Lilly (10–8) || Paulino (2–7) || Mármol (8) || 39,192 || 67–64|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 132 || September 3 || White Sox || 0–5 || Torres (1–0) || Dempster (8–8) || || 40,741 || 67–65|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 133 || September 4 || @ Mets || 2–6 || Stokes (2–4) || Gregg (5–6) || Rodríguez (29) || 37,953 || 67–66|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 134 || September 5 || @ Mets || 5–3 || Harden (9–8) || Figueroa (2–4) || Mármol (9) || 38,759 || 68–66|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 135 || September 6 || @ Mets || 2–4 || Pelfrey (10–10) || Wells (10–8) || Rodríguez (30) || 39,593 || 68–67|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 136 || September 7 || @ Pirates || 4–2 || Lilly (11–8) || McCutchen (0–1) || Mármol (10) || 14,673 || 69–67|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 137 || September 8 || @ Pirates || 9–4 || Dempster (9–8) || Duke (10–14) || || 17,862 || 70–67|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 138 || September 9 || @ Pirates || 8–5 || Zambrano (8–6) || Hart (4–6) || Mármol (11) || 10,899 || 71–67|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 139 || September 11 || Reds || 6–4 || Stevens (1–0) || Lehr (4–2) || Mármol (12) || 39,881 || 72–67|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 140 || September 12 || Reds || 5–7 || Rhodes (1–1) || Mármol (2–3) || Cordero (34) || 40,351 || 72–68|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 141 || September 13 || Reds || 5–2 || Lilly (12–8) || Bailey (5–5) || || 39,805 || 73–68|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 142 || September 14 || Brewers || 2–0 || Dempster (10–8) || Suppan (6–10) || Mármol (13) || 38,725 || 74–68|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 143 || September 15 || Brewers || 13–7 || Heilman (3–3) || Gallardo (12–12) || || 38,986 || 75–68|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 144 || September 16 || Brewers || 5–9 || Looper (13–6) || Harden (9–9) || || 38,084 || 75–69|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 145 || September 17 || Brewers || 4–7 || Bush (5–7) || Wells (10–9) || Hoffman (33) || 39,158 || 75–70|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 146 || September 18 || @ Cardinals || 2–3 || Franklin (3–3) || Heilman (3–4) || || 45,959 || 75–71|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 147 || September 19 || @ Cardinals || 1–2 || Franklin (4–3) || Mármol (2–4) || || 46,506 || 75–72|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 148 || September 20 || @ Cardinals || 6–3 (11) || Caridad (1–0) || Boggs (2–3) || Mármol (14) || 44,937 || 76–72|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 149 || September 21 || @ Brewers || 10–2 || Gorzelanny (6–2) || Looper (13–7) || || 34,192 || 77–72|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 150 || September 22 || @ Brewers || 7–2 || Wells (11–9) || Bush (5–8) || || 34,316 || 78–72|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 151 || September 23 || @ Brewers || 2–3 || Narveson (2–0) || Samardzija (1–3) || Hoffman (35) || 32,340 || 78–73|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 152 || September 24 || @ Giants || 3–2 || Heilman (4–4) || Wilson (5–6) || Mármol (15) || 31,603 || 79–73|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 153 || September 25 || @ Giants || 3–0 || Zambrano (9–6) || Lincecum (14–7) || || 33,970 || 80–73|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 154 || September 26 || @ Giants || 6–2 || Gorzelanny (7–2) || Zito (10–13) || || 35,885 || 81–73|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 155 || September 27 || @ Giants || 1–5 || Cain (14–7) || Wells (11–10) || Wilson (37) || 38,330 || 81–74|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 156 || September 29 || Pirates || 6–0 || Dempster (11–8) || Hart (4–9) || || 35,308 || 82–74 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 157 || September 30 || Pirates || 0–4 || Morton (5–9) || Lilly (12–9) || || 34,362 || 82–75|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 158 || September 30 || Pirates || 2–8 || Karstens (4–5) || Zambrano (9–7) || || 33,299 || 82–76|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"|- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb"| 159 || October 1 || Pirates || colspan=6 | Canceled|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 160 || October 2 || Diamondbacks || 3–12 || Buckner (4–6) || Gorzelanny (7–3) || || 33,786 || 82–77|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"| 161 || October 3 || Diamondbacks || 5–0 || Wells (12–10) || Cabrera (0–6) || || 39,138 || 83–77|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 162 || October 4 || Diamondbacks || 2–5 || Davis (9–14) || Dempster (11–9) || Gutiérrez (9) || 39,154 || 83–78|-Please do not edit this line: OgreBot End-->

Roster

2009 Chicago Cubs
Roster
PitchersCatchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Manager

Coaching Staff

  • (special asst)
  • (hitting)
  • (hitting)
  • (third base)
  • (pitching)
  • (first base)
  • (bullpen)
  • (bench)

Key injuries

The Cubs were plagued by injuries in 2009, and were only able to field their Opening Day starting lineup three times the entire season. Third baseman Aramis Ramírez injured his throwing shoulder in an early May game against the Milwaukee Brewers, sidelining him until early July and forcing journeyman players like Mike Fontenot and Aaron Miles into more prominent roles. Additionally, key players like Derrek Lee (back), Alfonso Soriano (legs and knee) and Geovany Soto (shoulder) nursed minor, nagging injuries.

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

PosPlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
C 102 331 72 .218 11 47
1B 141 532 163 .306 35 111
2B 135 377 89 .236 9 43
SS 154 602 171 .284 7 54
3B 82 306 97 .317 15 65
LF 117 477 115 .241 20 55
CF 146 499 129 .259 11 54
RF 124 393 101 .257 12 40

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

PlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
83 253 60 .237 2 24
105 234 56.239 10 35
82 216 56 .259 11 44
69 203 62 .305 4 21
65 186 42 .255 4 22
74 157 29.185 0 5
51 124 30 .242 3 15
53 123 31 .252 1 12
65 97 29 .299 1 2
14 28 4 .143 0 1
6 17 3 .176 0 2
20 14 3 .214 0 0
6 11 3 .273 0 0

Pitching

Starting and other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts; WHIP = Walks+hits per inning pitched

PlayerGIPWLERASOWHIP
31 200.0 11 9 3.64 172 1.305
27 177.0 12 9 3.10 151 1.056
28 169.1 9 7 3.77 152 1.376
27 165.1 12 10 3.05 104 1.276
26 141.0 9 9 4.09 171 1.340
55 85.1 3 7 4.32 68 1.441
13 38.1 4 2 5.63 40 1.357
8 27.2 3 1 2.60 13 1.482

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts; WHIP = Walks+hits per inning pitched

PlayerGWLSVIPERASOWHIP
72 5 6 23 68.2 4.72 71 1.311
79 2 4 15 74.0 3.41 93 1.459
55 3 3 1 61.0 2.95 47 1.049
70 4 4 1 72.1 4.11 65 1.410
30 0 0 0 25.0 3.24 16 1.240
19 0 2 0 11.0 7.36 9 2.091
20 3 1 0 27.2 6.36 23 1.807
20 1 3 0 34.2 7.20 21 1.760
14 0 1 0 15.1 3.52 18 1.761
14 1 0 0 19.1 1.40 17 0.931
11 1 0 0 12.2 7.11 9 1.737
11 0 0 0 12.0 0.75 7 0.917
4 0 0 0 3.2 0.00 3 0.545
3 0 0 0 1.2 5.40 2 1.800
2 0 0 0 2.0 0.00 0 0.500
2 0 0 0 0.1 135.00 0 15.000

2008–2009 off-season

Trades

November 13, 2008
To Florida Marlins
José Ceda
To Chicago Cubs
Kevin Gregg
December 31, 2008
to Cleveland Indians
Mark DeRosa
to Chicago Cubs
Minor league prospects (Gaub, Stevens, Archer)
January 6, 2009
to Colorado Rockies
Jason Marquis
to Chicago Cubs
Luis Vizcaíno
January 17, 2009
to Baltimore Orioles
Félix Pie
to Chicago Cubs
Garrett Olson and Henry Williamson
January 27, 2009
to Seattle Mariners
Ronny Cedeño and Garrett Olson
to Chicago Cubs
Aaron Heilman
May 8, 2009
to Baltimore Orioles
Joey Gathright
to Chicago Cubs
Ryan Freel
July 2, 2009
to Colorado Rockies
Al Alburquerque
to Chicago Cubs
Jeff Baker
July 6, 2009
to Kansas City Royals
Ryan Freel
to Chicago Cubs
player to be named later
July 30, 2009
to Pittsburgh Pirates
Kevin Hart, José Ascanio, and Josh Harrison
to Chicago Cubs
John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny

Free agent acquisitions

Player Former team Contract Terms
1 year, $800,000
2 years, Undisclosed
3 years, $30,000,000
1 year, $900,000
Undisclosed

Players lost to free agency

Player New team
San Francisco Giants
Cleveland Indians
San Diego Padres
Cincinnati Reds
Retired

Sale of the franchise

After many years of speculation that the Chicago Tribune wanted to sell the Chicago Cubs organization, they finally inked a deal on January 22, 2009 with the Ricketts family for a total of $900 million. The sale included the Cubs, Wrigley Field, and the Tribune's 25% stake in the Comcast Sports Network Chicago, a regional TV channel.

Media

The Chicago Cubs radio broadcasting team was anchored by veteran announcers Pat Hughes and Ron Santo making it the duo's 15th year together. Hughes provided the play by play while Santo served as the color commentator.

The Chicago Cubs 2009 television broadcasting team was anchored by Len Kasper and Bob Brenly. Games could be seen on multiple channels including: WGN-TV, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, WGN America, and WCIU-TV.

Farm system

See also: Minor League Baseball.

References