'Ugly Cubs' is NOT good PR...

Just sayin'. Did the tuff-guy bug bite the North Siders this year?

I was visiting my sister's family when the catcher and pitcher went at it in the dugout. Big pictures in the paper, and a chance to talk with the kids about what is NOT good sportsmanship or teamwork. Then the manager kicks dirt and gets suspended, which maybe they justify with the brief win streak.

But now this kinda crap. Not good PR for the brand...*

Lilly had a 2-0 count on Renteria when he plunked him near the left shoulder, and the ball glanced off his hand. Renteria took a couple of steps toward the mound before home-plate umpire Jim Wolf and Cubs catcher Michael Barrett stepped in front of him to prevent a fight.

Both benches emptied, but no punches were thrown.

In the Braves' 9-5 victory on Saturday, Atlanta starter Tim Hudson hit Cubs leadoff hitter Alfonso Soriano with a pitch in the back. The day before, Soriano hit three homers in a 9-1 win.

Renteria homered and drove in four runs on Saturday.

And Oscar Renteria? A man whose trademark is playing with pure passion, which always injects an anything-can-happen vibe into a game -- the Big Games included? A man's hands are his career, regardless if you're only aiming for the shoulder.

What are they thinking in the Cubs' organization this year?
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*Oh and guess what? I don't care if Atlanta played ugly first... The Cubs are not Atlanta.

Sound familiar?