Danny Jackson doesn`t look real good in black and gold.
Jackson, who was traded to the Pirates last weekend, showed up on the practice field before Thursday night`s game against his former team wearing his new Pirates` uniform and a new number.
”Can you believe it? He`s wearing Steve Trout`s old number,” said Cubs pitching coach Billy Connors.
Trout, once a problem-child student of Connors, wore No. 34 with the Cubs from 1983-87.
Jackson wore No. 32 with the Cubs, but had to switch because Pirates pitcher Denny Neagle wears No. 32.
”It feels good to be over here with a team that has a chance to go back to the playoffs,” said Jackson.
Lucky 7: This is the seventh time since division play began in 1969 that the Pirates were in first place at the All-Star break. All six times they went on to win the division: 1970, `71, `72, `75, `90 and `91.
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Series results: Not only are the Pirates winning again this year, but they are doing it consistently. So far this season, the Pirates have won 19 of 29 series they have played. They`ve only lost eight series and tied two. The Cubs are 11-14-4 in series play. Even worse, the Cubs have won only 4 of 14 series they have played on the road (4-8-2).
Magic millenium: With their win Thursday night, the Pirates are just two victories away from their 1,000th against the Cubs in their history.
Feeling fine: Trainer John Fierro says pitcher Mike Morgan will be ready to go Saturday against the Pirates. Morgan experienced stiffness in his lower left back against the Braves last Saturday and left after five innings. He originally was scheduled to pitch Thursday night`s game, but was moved back.
”He`s fine. He threw on the side today and there`s no pain,” said Fierro.
Notes: The Pirates are 5-1 against the Cubs in `92. The Cubs dropped 11 of 18 games with the Bucs in `92. . . . The Cubs` losing streak is its longest since a nine-game streak June 15-23, 1990. . . . Cubs shortstop Rey Sanchez went 0 for 4 to end his seven-game hitting streak. . . . Cubs left-hander Ken Patterson, on the disabled list from May 31-July 12, pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in his first appearance since May 30. . . . Mark Grace is 2 for 20 in his last five games.
History lesson: Exactly 28 years ago-July 17, 1964-major league baseball made its debut on pay TV with a Cubs-Dodgers game in Los Angeles. The game was telecast on a system known then as Subscription Television.