Want a sneak peek at some of the top prospects Vine Line has been covering in the Minor-League Notebooks?

Tune in to the MLB Network this Saturday at 7:15 p.m. CT to see pitchers Andrew Cashner and Blake Parker, and infielders Starlin Castro and Josh Vitters. All four will be playing for the East Division in the Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Game.

And when it comes down to top prospects in the Cubs organization, you can't get much bigger than these four. Vitters and Cashner are the Cubs' 2007 and 2008 first-round draft picks, respectively. At just 19 years old, Castro might just be the Cubs prospect gaining attention the fastest. And Parker is a converted infielder who looked good as a part-time closer in Double and Triple A this season.

Vitters is hitting for a .360 AVG/.385 OBP/.460 SLG line over 12 games in the Arizona Fall League, but he has made it his goal to work on his third-base defense while playing with the game's top minor-leaguers.

"I know my bat will be there," Vitters told Vine Line earlier this year. "I want my defense to be up there with the best of them."

With the system stocked with good infielders, vice president of player personnel Oneri Fleita has been able to slowly move Vitters up the ladder, splitting his time between Class-A Peoria and Daytona this season. But the 20-year-old's natural hitting ability has only drawn rave reviews.

"When you first watch him take batting practice, he can really drive the ball," Peoria manager Marty Pevey told Vine Line. "He has as quick of hands as any young player. I'd say his hands are as quick as Bob Horner back with the Braves when he came out of Arizona State."

The Vine Line blog will have more on Castro, Cashner and Parker later this week.

-- Sean Ahmed

Photo credit: Jamie Squire / Getty Images

12:30 PM: It might have been raining cats and dogs outside, but there was no raining on this Cubs parade.

Five or six photographers stood outside the Captain Morgan Club in the Wrigley Field concourse awaiting the Ricketts arrival to the press conference.

If Quentin Tarantino had captured the moment, it surely would have been in slow motion. The four Ricketts--Peter, Todd, Laura and Tom--did their best "Reservoir Dogs" impersonation walking side by side, looking like a quartet of gunslingers.

They just bought the Chicago Cubs. They should feel confident!

Tom discussed everything from payroll, tickets, the "Triangle" Building, Wrigley Field, naming rights, Lou Piniella....The entire press conference went off without a hitch. Well, almost.

As she started to add to a comment made by Tom, Laura Ricketts' microphone shut down. Being the nice brother that he is, Tom--who was wearing a clip on mic--snuggled up next to his sister, who used the clip-on to finish her statement, to the laughter of the media and ancillary audience. I was standing next to Comcast SportsNet producer Bob Albrecht and I remarked:

"Wouldn't it be great if she planted a nice kiss right on her brother's face right now?"

"I was thinking the exact same thing," Bob said.

Though she didn't, the moment made for a very good photo-op.

The siblings discussed how each had come to be a Cubs fan, despite growing up in Omaha.

All had gone to school in Chicago and found themselves caught up into Cubs mania. Peter, who currently is the only sibling living in Omaha, recalled his college days.

"I came to Chicago in 1982 to attend the University of Chicago," said Peter, who lived above Sports Corner on the corner of Addison and Sheffield. His brother Tom came to live with him. "By 1984, it was hard not to get into the Cubs. I lived with my brother, and he slept overnight in line to get bleacher tickets."

Sister Laura came and stayed with her brothers one summer and got hooked as well.

"I became immersed in the culture of Wrigleyville," Laura said.

After the press conference and an interview immediately following, Tom is whisked away for even more appointments. He still looks relaxed and poised.

"How are you holding up," Cubs President Crane Kenney asks.

"Good. Real good," Tom replies.

"Well, hang in there. It's a marathon." In baseball, no truer words have been spoken

That's probably good considering the Ricketts family have said on numerous occassions that they are in it for the long haul. That's good news.

Hey, Cubs fans! Welcome to the family.

--Mike Huang

To subscribe to Vine Line, visit http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/fan_forum/vineline.jsp

11:00 A.M.--It's almost showtime. The Ricketts siblings have done just about every sort of media shoot and interview possible.

The weather didn't cooperate with the day, so the press conference was moved into the Captain Morgan Club. Just outside the Club, the Ricketts family poses for photos for Michigan Avenue Magazine. They have been coached well, as Laura Ricketts remarks, and understand what the media requires. But Tom said this morning that if the media relations department does their job, fans won't see the Ricketts in the newspapers. But he is realistic.

"It's hard--you can't have it both ways," he said. "You can't buy the team and become chairman without having a profile."

Tom and his siblings often try to break the tension with jokes and self-effacing humor. The echo of laughter and jokes are a welcome addition to the halls of Wrigley Field. Not that the corporate ownership of the Tribune was bad or difficult, but Tom stressed that he would like to change the culture of the organization to turn to one of a family.

The family's jocularity went a long way to the front office employees and those watching the Ricketts go through a photo shoot out in the rightfield stands.

Tom did draw a stark line in the sand between family ownership and corporate ownership, however.

"There are no other businesses for us to subsidize within the organization and we won't be caught up in quarterly reports," Tom said. "We have only one goal--and that is to win the World Series. We are going to reinvest every dollar into the team, Wrigley Field, and the facilities those people need to make us the best organization in baseball."

As the press conference gets rolling, Tom Ricketts takes the stage with his three siblings. It is notable that during the front office breakfast, as well as the press conference, Tom refuses to use the podium. I asked one of our human resources people where the podium was during breakfast. She replied, "He didn't want one."

Tom is relaxed and informal, staying true to that very down-to-earth attitude. If there is any sort of new attitude on the North Side from this family from Omaha, Neb., to Cubs fans it is:

They are one of you.

--Mike Huang

10:44 AM: While the rain put a dark damper on traffic coming to work this morning, today marked the dawn of a new era in Cubs history.

The Ricketts family closed the transaction on Tuesday, taking over 95 percent ownership of the Chicago Cubs. Today, they met with the front office before their 11:00 press conference.

If you've heard the Ricketts family is down-to-earth and that Tom met his wife in the bleachers, it's all true. Tom and siblings Peter, Todd and Laura have a very fan-friendly way about them. They could be your neighbor.

Perhaps the only thing that might have ruffled their unflappable personalities was the all of the media attention. Tom said he was looking forward to this day being done. But being the eighth ownership group in Cubs history might merit that attention and the family is keenly aware of it.

But it is an exciting time today. The front office met for breakfast and heard from their Chairman for the first time--at least for most of the employees not involved intimately with the transaction.

One message Tom hoped to get across is that after today, the work to establish the Cubs as the best organization in baseball begins. A phrase I caught summed it all up:

"It starts now," he said.

And in fact, so does the press conference!

--Mike Huang

It might not have been Rudy Ruetigger and Notre Dame football under the watchful eye of Touchdown Jesus, but Rudy Jaramillo might just be the patron saint of hitters.

After all, the man the Cubs welcomed as their new hitting coach at a press conference about an hour ago has resurrected the careers of many hitters or at the very least, helped some correct the sins in their swings.

"I'm a teacher first, a coach second," said the former Texas Rangers hitting coach. "I love to see talent in players and watch them get better....My ability to build rapport with players is good and my communications skills are strong.

"But there has to be a mutual trust between the coach and the player," Jaramillo added. "You still have to win them over. And when you tell a hitter something, it better work because it's all about results."                                                                                       photo by Kelsey Peters

And that is exactly what the Cubs are hoping Jaramillo will be able to do with a Cubs offense that finished 26th in the majors in 2009, scoring just 707 runs and hitting just .255.

"I think everyone in the game, from players to coaches to managers, put this man at the top of the field," said Cubs general manager Jim Hendry. "There's no higher standard for a major-league hitting coach than the one he set the last 15 years.

"It couldn't have come at a better time; we know we had some offensive deficiencies with some outstanding players some of which Rudy has been fortunate to work with in the past," Hendry added. "We're excited to round out a great coaching staff, and I know Rudy's ready to get to work."

Jaramillo has shown a penchant to work wonders with reclamation projects similar to the Cardinals' pitching coach Dave Duncan. With Texas, Jaramillo pulled career years out of Mark DeRosa, Milton Bradley and Gary Matthews Jr., not to mention one former Cubs slugger looking to hit a milestone.

"We got 94 RBIs and 22 home runs out of Sammy [Sosa]," Jaramillo said, referring to Sosa's 2008 campaign with Texas during which he hit his 600th homer.  "And he didn't even get 500 at-bats. So I was very happy to work with Sammy."

More than anything, Jaramillo isn't afraid to get into hitters' faces to make them work harder. He will make sure these players put in their time in the cage, veteran or rookie. He will also make sure they are prepared at the plate, physically and mentally.

"Sometimes players get complacent," Jaramillo said. "You have to reprogram those hitters. I will get them to believe in themselves."

--Mike Huang

To subscribe to Vine Line, visit http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/fan_forum/vineline.jsp

Yesterday brought the 2009 season to a close, and despite the Cubs being out of it, the 162nd game reminded me why we stick it through to the end.

This time it was to see Sam Fuld pick up his first major-league RBI. And of course, he did it with some style, hitting a home run to deep rightfield to get it done all by himself. Fuld made a name for himself -- and rewarded many of the organization's scouts and minor-league coaches who have praised him for his baseball IQ and plate discipline -- this season with a number of full-extension catches as well as a .299 batting average and .409 on-base percentage.

Being that it was Fuld's first home run, it was worth paying close attention to the dugout's reaction. Sure enough, the team gave Fuld the silent treatment while the outfielder beckoned them on a little bit. They held still until Fuld walked by Derrek Lee, who reached back to give him a big pat on the back.

"I kind of sniffed out what they were doing when I got back in there," Fuld told reporters. "But it meant a lot to me."

Once again, Cubs fans, you showed why you are the best in baseball. After Derrek Lee's eighth-inning flyout, the near-sellout crowd gave him a standing ovation for his outstanding season.

"I wasn't expecting it; I didn't know how to react," Lee told reporters after the game. "I appreciate it. It was really cool."

Thanks to all of our fans who supported us at the ballpark or across the nation by subscribing to Vine Line this season.

Seen around the ballpark this last weekend:

• The Alfonso Soriano promotional poster from 2008 hanging in the clubhouse, with a bandage stuck over his left knee.

• Ted Lilly and Ryan Dempster continuing to go on runs together, even after Lilly had thrown his last pitch in 2009.

• Top Cubs prospects Brett Jackson, Casey Coleman and Kyler Burke wearing eager smiles as they were taken through the Cubs clubhouse to meet the big-leaguers and on the field for a ceremony with Double-A manager Ryne Sandberg (right).

• Sandberg and Lou Piniella talking Cubs baseball in the home dugout, minutes before the national anthem on Saturday.

-- Sean Ahmed

While fans were pointing to the skies at the MetLife blimp Tuesday, they might not have realized they were pointing right at Cubs team photographer Stephen Green.

Steve spent six hours in the skies on Wednesday, capturing aerial shots of the "Friendly Confines" and Chicago lights.

It was just he and the pilot riding in a car that Steve described as "about the size of a Volkswagen -- and attached to a big balloon." Steve had to open the windows to take photos below, a cold proposition considering the sub-60-degree temperatures and that there was no heating unit in the first place.

You'll be able to read all about his trip and see more exclusive views of Wrigley Field in an upcoming issue of Vine Line. Give the gift of Cubs baseball this off-season by subscribing today.

Left photo by Chris Bernacchi.

Though our team might be out of the playoff hunt that didn't exclude the Cubs front office from enjoying a road trip up the interstate to Miller Park, the home of the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers.

About 60 front office employees and their guests made the two-and-a-half hour trip up to Milwaukee. For the last three years or so, we've made a trip of some sort like this. Last year it was to Peoria, to see our Class-A Chiefs and then-skipper Ryne Sandberg.

Decked out in our best Cubs blue or some facsimile thereof, we cheered on our team to a 7-1 win. The enthusiasm was overwhelming....The staff bonding was palpable....We saw a great night of hitting from first baseman Derrek Lee and a solid outing from right-hander Randy Wells. Also, rookie outfielder Tyler Colvin made a spectacular catch in the ninth inning, robbing the Brewers of a home run. Colvin then caught another running line drive to center to end the game. An auspicious start for the 2006 first-round pick, indeed.

But the main attraction was Miller Park's famous Klement's Sausage Race. The contest traditionally pits five cased meats against one another in a foot race that can only be described as whole-hog chaos.

Unbeknownst to us, however, our own Hayley DeWitte and Vijay Tekchandani were participating in the race! They successfully kept it quiet until it started filtering out into the stands where we were sitting. For those of you who don't

know, Vijay serves as a community affairs assistant and Hayley is general manager Jim Hendry's executive assistant. Hayley donned the "Hot Dog" costume, while Vijay became the "Polish".

And they were off!

Out of the gate, Vijay the Polish had good position in the middle of the pack, but the Italian Sausage blew right by him, along with the Brat. Hayley the Hot Dog pulled up the rear of the pack. Down the home stretch, Vijay maintained his lead on the Chorizo, but the Italian and Brat were just too many lengths ahead to catch.

Alas, try as their little legs might, Vijay the Polish came in third and Hayley the Hot Dog came in a distant fifth. Alas, try as their little legs might, Vijay the Polish came in third and Hayley the Hot Dog came in a distant fifth.

Despite coming up short of victory, the experience was "wurst" remembering.

"It was awesome," Vijay said. "I was on Cloud 9. I actually false started before they said go, so I took a step back right from the start. But I was really concentrating on not falling, to be honest."

--MIke Huang

Fans at yesterday's Cubs-Brewers game were witness to a deeply touching, on-field ceremony to recognize Medal of Honor recipients.

Cubs photographer Stephen Green was stationed at the front of the upper deck to catch the proceedings. Players from both teams met over 60 veterans at the foul lines, exchanging custom-made pins for Congressional Medal of Honor Society coins. The USO of Illinois presented the U.S. flag in centerfield.

Today, there are fewer than 100 living recipients, and with Chicago hosting the 2009 Medal of Honor Convention, fans yesterday gave the U.S. heroes a moving welcome to Wrigley Field.

On Sept. 2, Geovany Soto chaired the 2nd Annual Rooters Ball at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in downtown Chicago. Organized by the West Side Rooters Social Club, the event benefitted Chicago Cubs Charities, supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Major League Baseball Dominican Development Alliance.

Several current Cubs players joined Soto, including Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Derrek Lee, Carlos Marmol, Jake Fox, Sam Fuld, Randy Wells and John Grabow. Also present was "Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks, chairman of the West Side Rooters Social Club.

We talked to several players, in Spanish, about their charitable support:

VL: Why are you participating in the Rooters Ball?

Geovany Soto: Well, growing up in Puerto Rico, I was lucky that I had everything I needed and I was healthy all my life. But I saw the needs around me, and I thought that, if I ever had the chance, I would love to help kids. And in this case, kids with diabetes need a lot of help. Also, when I was playing in the minors, I had a coach [Alan Dunn] whose son was diagnosed with diabetes. I had a really good relationship with him and his son, and that painful moment for them affected me because they were important to me.

Alfonso Soriano: Geovany invited me. I am here supporting him in this worthy cause. Tonight we are participating for the Chicago Cubs.

Jake Fox: No. 1, I have great respect for Geovany Soto, and when he invited me to participate, I did it gladly. This is a noble cause, and when a player of his caliber asks you to help, you do it because that's what friends are for. Another reason is that my wife has diabetes. She is a Type 1 diabetic, and every time I can help JDRF, I am first in line.

VL: We know some of the proceeds from this event will go to the Dominican Republic through the MLB Dominican Development Alliance. What does it feel like to know that you are helping the Dominican community?

Continue reading 'Rooting for a good cause'...