Cubs' Ace Has Shoulder Surgery

I’ve said numerous times Ted Lilly is the true ace of the Cubs’ rotation.

Of course, I’m always repeating myself because the man barely gets recognized as one by the media or even his hometown fans.

Don’t ask me why, either? In my eyes the whole conversation is plain as day.

Break it down however you like, but you won’t find an equal on this staff to Lilly’s numbers, wins and big-game production since he signed with the Cubs three years ago.

Lilly is the ace, even if by the slightest of margins. Better than Zambrano, better than Dempster, better than whomever.

Yet, earlier this week we find out Lilly goes under the knife to clean up discomfort in his throwing shoulder, which he was suffering through since late August, and we barely hear a peep about the lefty being out until the start of the next season, perhaps even longer.

Think news like this falls on deaf ears had it been Big Z, Ryan Dempster or the chosen one, Jeff Samardzija being cut? Not a chance!

Lilly said he wanted to avoid surgery altogether, but I can’t blame the guy for pulling the trigger, not with him entering the final year of his contract.

If healthy, Lilly’s gets paid like an ace next November…regardless of Cubs fan’s recognition of him as one or not.

It’s smart on Ted’s part and worrisome disappointment for the Cubs.

Three weeks from Thanksgiving and the Cubs are already dealing with its first setback of the 2010 season…take notice, the ace is down.