Four Cubs games moved to WGN

SAN FRANCISCO Tribune Co. finally acknowledged that moving somany Cubs games from WGN to CLTV was a mistake.

They moved four Cubs games this month to WGN after originallyscheduling them on CLTV and probably will move more in September ifthe Cubs stay in the playoff race.

The first of the four changes to WGN will come Sunday, whenKerry Wood faces the Houston Astros at the Astrodome. Other gamesmoved to WGN are Aug. 18 and Aug. 19 against the St. Louis Cardinalsat Wrigley Field and Aug. 24 against the Astros at Wrigley.

To accommodate the Cubs' switches, the White Sox have movedtheir games Aug. 16 against the Seattle Mariners, Aug. 19 at theOakland Athletics and Aug. 24 at the Mariners to Fox Sports Chicago.To make up for those changes, WGN will carry three other Sox games -Aug. 17 at the Anaheim Angels, Aug. 25 against the Baltimore Oriolesand Aug. 31 at the Orioles.

SPEED BUMP: There are managers who are considered great becausethey can get their teams to manufacture runs. Cubs manager JimRiggleman doesn't have that option because runs are manufacturedlargely with team speed.

The Cubs are as speedy as a snail, and Riggleman said he doesn'tsee that changing during the offseason. He acknowledged this Cubsteam lives and dies by the long ball.

"We've been very reliant on the homer," he said. "We don't havemany base-stealers. If we try to steal and get thrown out before wehit a homer, it doesn't look too good. If we don't hit a home run,then (not having base-stealers) is a disadvantage."

Riggleman said he expects most of this team to be brought backnext season and doesn't see where they could add speed that wouldmake a huge difference for 1999.

"I don't see that happening," he said. "Stolen bases are nice,but they can also be overrated."

GOOD GUY WINNER: The San Francisco baseball writers will presentCubs closer Rod Beck with the first annual Bill Rigney Good Guy Awardbefore the game today. Beck is a favorite wherever he goes becauseof his honesty and common-man approach.

PAYING RESPECTS: Cubs coach Billy Williams and WGN radio analystRon Santo will depart San Francisco after the game today to return toChicago. They will serve as pallbearers at Jack Brickhouse's funeralWednesday.

"I've got to say goodbye to my man," Williams said of thelegendary broadcaster. "He called a lot of my shots."

CALL WAITING: Memo to Jeremi Gonzalez back in Chicago: TrainerDave Tumbas is awaiting your call on whether you have agreed to havetendon-replacement surgery in your right elbow. Gonzalez is weighinghis options, even though two doctors have told him he requires theTommy John procedure that would shelve him for the 1999 season.

MEMORY LANE: It was in San Francisco in 1996 that then-Giantsshortstop Shawon Dunston called then-Cubs shortstop Rey Sanchez"lazy." It was in San Francisco in 1997 that then-Cubs shortstopDunston said newly acquired Cubs shortstop Manny Alexander "isn't theanswer."

What goes around comes around. Dunston and Sanchez areteammates with the Giants, and Alexander is answering when the Cubscall his name to play.