The Giants beat the Cubs 9-2 in the spring opener today at Ho Ho Kam Park in front of a smallish (well, for Mesa, anyway) crowd of 8,079 on a day when it wasn't much warmer in Mesa (57 degrees) than it is right now outside my window in Chicago (46 degrees).
And so what? Of the eight pitchers the Cubs used today, only one of them -- Jason Marquis -- is going to be on the major league roster. Marquis pitched -- well, OK. Gave up three hits and a run in his two innings; didn't walk anyone or strike out anyone.
The other pitchers -- Les Walrond, John Webb, Carmen Pignatiello, Ben Howard, Randy Wells, Rocky Cherry and Jason Anderson, all non-roster invitees -- gave up eight more runs, including four in the 9th off Anderson, but only two of them were earned; Scott Moore and Ronny Cedeno errors helped pave the way for all the Giants' fun.
Of those who will be on the Cubs' Opening Day roster, only Derrek Lee and Cesar Izturis had hits, both singles. Geovany Soto's triple was the only extra-base hit; it drove in one of the two runs. Briefly reading the boxscore, at first I'd thought Mark DeRosa had homered; nope, it was the Giants' Tomas de la Rosa, off Wells.
Yawn. It really doesn't matter. What matters is that Ron & Pat were on the radio describing baseball (poorly, in Ron's case; at one point he was heard coming back from a commercial break saying, to some unknown person, "I'm on the air"). Sixteen years you've been at this now, Ron. But I guess that's part of his charm, for those who like that sort of thing. What matters is that the calendar has turned over to March and two weeks from today, I'll be sitting on the LF berm in Mesa myself, renewing my own acquaintance with the game we all love.
Tomorrow will be Carlos Zambrano's first spring start; he's not expected to go more than two innings, either.
This is a short recap, because there's not too much to tell. They'll get longer as the season gets closer, and more detailed at the games I actually attend.
0 recs | 86 comments
The most exciting thing for me about today's game
other than it's ushering in of the season, was that Ben Howard pitched (although, not all that well). He's from my hometown of Danville, Illinois. It was great listening to Pat and Ron! And I DO like Ron's mishaps on air. Go Cubs. Come on summer!teacher tom - March 1, 2007
Hey...
I'm from Danville, Illinois to. So is Jason Anderson who also pitched in this game. WeirdVandalayIndustries - March 1, 2007
Hey!
I've heard of Danville, IL. Well, now that you two have mentioned it.Jesse Guam - March 2, 2007
I meant "its"
teacher tom - March 1, 2007
of
course you did.wild bill - March 1, 2007
Al you are too kind...
Santo's on air incompetence is not charming. It is sloppy and unprofessional. But it is what many Cub fans seem to want.Ross - March 1, 2007
That's
is why we have Pat.wild bill - March 1, 2007
Ross
I agree with you to an some degree. Actually I felt the same way awhile ago. But what he has done is grow on me. Why? Because he is you and me. He is a fan. He feels the joy of victory and the pain of defeat. I think I might have stole that last line, oops. Anyhow, as time as gone by, his efforts have brought me comfort while listening about my favorite team, DA Cubs. Oops I did it again. Ouch not again.wild bill - March 1, 2007
I used....
to think it was "funny" until I heard some other teams radio broadcasts and realized that we were being short changed.If I want to talk to a "fan" I can come here or call my friends. When I listen to the radio, I want to be informed and made to feel like I am watching the game. Ronnie does not do that for me.
timeforachange - March 1, 2007
I'm with you here.
All I was saying is that I know there are a lot of people who love Santo for who he is. I won't criticize them, only say that I would prefer a different style, as you would.Al Yellon - March 1, 2007
wow, i'm not
compared to say the cardinals radio guys, ron and pat are gods. i think they raise it to an artform. i'd take those two over any other announcers in the game. and not just because it's santo, but also because he is charming and likable and a physical voice on the mic. but more than that, pat is the best in the game, no doubt. i'd like to see them put steve stone in there as well. make it a trifecta.buckmulligan - March 1, 2007
different strokes...
I guess. I don't see how Santo is charming. Likeable, yes. Good announcer, hell no. I personally wish he would hang it up. I think once (if ever) he gets into the HOF, he leaves the booth. IMHO, it is sad. The fans who listen on the radio deserve better.I agree with you on Pat. He is top notch. If you put Stoney in the booth, I think you would forget about Santo the announcer quickly.
timeforachange - March 1, 2007
but the radio broadcast is so entertaining
there is no way you can bring in a so-called better announcer and improve the broadcast in terms of entertainment value. no way. the last thing i want is a polished broadcaster. i want something raw. but that's me.buckmulligan - March 1, 2007
Right...
... and for you, Santo's perfect. For those of us who want something different, he's not the best choice.But there are a lot of people out there who agree with your view, and that's why Ron still has the job.
Al Yellon - March 1, 2007
That's true
How many times is something said during a game where you actually learned something, like an anecdote about a player, some kind of strategy. Be honest--it's not very often. Most of the time, it things we know about a game we're watching. Even on radio, we can picture it pretty easily from standard play-by-play.Since we normally don't learn anything from a lot of these cookie-cutter bores, we might as well be entertained.
Richie Hebner 18 - March 1, 2007
I find....
entertainment in learning something not hearing what Ronnie had for breakfast.I hope he hangs it up.
timeforachange - March 2, 2007
Absolutely right
Steve Stone and Santo are the two extremes of baseball color announcers. Stone has insight, wisdom, interesting stories, etc. Santo enjoys telling people what he had for breakfast and guessing the attendance.If the latter is what you want out of the broadcast, then great. I would rather have a one-man booth than what they currently have. The broadcast is not entertaining to me, and that is why I chose not to buy the MLB streaming service last year.
I know I must come across as a total Ron Santo hater. I have nothing against the man, I just wish he would get off the radio.
Ross - March 2, 2007
I'm with Ross on this 100%
danimal15 - March 2, 2007
That's Pat's job.
He's supposed to say what's going on.I guess I still don't appreciate all the stuff I could learn from announcers. I don't know why, but I guess I just want to know what happened not what can/may happen.
I haven't listened to anybody outside of Chicago, ESPN, and TBS. I don't know if that's enough for me to know what I like in a broadcaster, but I do have some ideas. Mostly, I just want them to entertain me when nothing is going on. That's all I ask for now, and Pat and Ron do fine with that. Len and Bob are getting there.
sparkles721 - March 1, 2007
wild bill is right on.
ron santo is one of us, he loves it when we win, and it tears his heart out with each loss. you can take your professional, heartless, only there for the money, color guys and shove them where the sun dont shine, i'll take guys like ron and harry any day.wheatfield mike - March 2, 2007
One of us.....
the dumbing down of Cubdom.... Enjoy the garbage.I will take the likes of Steve Stone over Ronnie any day.
To each their own. I am just happy I get to go to the home games so I don't have to listen to him.
timeforachange - March 2, 2007
I've used the same arguments against Harry Caray..
For some reason I can tolerate it more with Ronnie. Maybe because he's a true Cub and didn't toil many years for the likes of the Cardinals or White Sox. I know he ended his career on the south side, but it wasn't his choice.wicubfan - March 1, 2007
Atleast were not in as bad a boat
As the south side gets on TV.sanantonecub - March 1, 2007
Even worse...
is their radio team. Unlistenable........timeforachange - March 1, 2007
Which is a shame...
... because Ed Farmer and John Rooney were an excellent tandem. Like the Sox or not, they were a very good team, but replacing Rooney with Chris Singleton is like trading in a BWM for a Ford Festiva.DmL
dmlichte - March 1, 2007
Man...
... you & I must be the only ones who like Ed Farmer on the air. Most of the Sox fans can't stand him.Al Yellon - March 1, 2007
Count....
me in on the "like" side.He is hurt by having to work with Singleton.
timeforachange - March 1, 2007
No doubt.
I agree with DmL that Farmer & Rooney were a pretty good radio team.Al Yellon - March 1, 2007
Have you....
noticed that Farmer has changed his persona since switching over to the Score? He is obnoxious in an attempt to fit in with the North crowd.timeforachange - March 1, 2007
Farmer
I haven't actually listened to him, but its also very possible that now that he is "the man" he is asserting himself and he has become the center of the broadcast. IMO, a year from now, they'll be looking for someone better to team with him. Chris Singleton is horrid.DmL
dmlichte - March 1, 2007
"On the air"
I was at the game today. The reason Ron was heard saying that was because a fan was standing on a seat, reaching up into the booth and asking for his autograph.Tarzan Joe - March 1, 2007
Thanks for the update!
Someone in the booth ought to manage that so that this sort of thing doesn't happen.Al Yellon - March 1, 2007
I agree
It was starting to get worse but fortunately the game ended. About four fans were lined up to get signatures before the bottom of the ninth started. He didn't sign after the game ended.Tarzan Joe - March 1, 2007
Oddly enough...
...this has happened before. There was a game in Milwaukee last year where they came back from break and the same thing happened.jolietconvict - March 1, 2007
Listening to the games.....
on WGN is painful. I want Ron to get into the HOF almost as I want him to retire from the booth.I know he is a "nice guy" and a hero to many, but his time has passed. Please bring in someone who can add something to the game.
timeforachange - March 1, 2007
One note
Rocky Cherry isn't a NRI, he's on the 40-man roster. I was surprised to learn that he is 28 years old, so he's certainly old for his level of progress, however, especally if Michael Wuertz is hurt, Cherry could pitch on the major league team this year.DmL
dmlichte - March 1, 2007
28?
Without any ML experience? I guess he could pitch in the majors, but let's hope not.Al Yellon - March 1, 2007
He's had several major surgeries
He was a starter in the beginning, but has moved to the bullpen. He has some talent, if he can stay healthy-but he is a Cub pitcher, so...cubswin - March 1, 2007
Ron has my sympathies...
and respect for the many thrills and disappointments he gave me while playing. And I have nothing but admiration for his tireless struggle with JDF and his own poor health.But, BOY, he is OUT OF IT in the booth.
Last year, in one of the Phillies game, he remarked (during an inning break), that the pitcher had changed his motion, and named him.
What he didn't realize was that it was a new pitcher - and Pat had to tell him it wasn't the same guy! I mean COME ON!
I have an appriciation for radio, and work in the industry, but he just adds zip at this point. I suppose the only way things will change there is if he makes it to "the great diamond in the sky" while on the air.
TheEman - March 1, 2007
i just can't understand this sentiment
i mean this is how you get somebody like justin timberlake instead of howlin wolf.buckmulligan - March 1, 2007
What is it that you...
can't understand? Complete unpreparedness and how the incompetence has worn off the "charm" and "folksyness"?And, how do we "get" Justin T. for Howlin' Wolf? What's your point?
At least Howlin' Wolf was able to "perform" til the end.
Ronny is just out of it...
Its ENOUGH already.
TheEman - March 1, 2007
I remember a similar story...
... a number of years ago, probably around 1999, when the Cubs were facing the Dodgers, who had Pedro Borbon as a reliever. Borbon came into the game and Ron said, "Gosh, this guy must be old. I remember facing him."Pat had to tell him that this Borbon was the son of the guy Ron had faced in the early 70's, when the senior Borbon was a Reds reliever.
Al Yellon - March 1, 2007
fantastic.
buckmulligan - March 1, 2007
You know......
....that's exactly why I like the guy. It's an honesty that's almost painful.BeerCub - March 1, 2007
I couldn't resist saying
"Now pinch hitting for Pedro Borbon, Manny Mota, Mota, Mota..."danimal15 - March 2, 2007
not to
change the subject but im dying to let this out...did anyone see kellie pickler on american idol? wow! i think she looks great.tbizzle83 - March 2, 2007
I'm probably
in the minority but I didn't care for her new look. She looked like a young Tammy Wynette.sue369 - March 2, 2007
Seacrest.....
was a pig to her.Asking her if she got "anything" else new was obviously a reference to her breasts.
He is too full of himself.
timeforachange - March 2, 2007
I didn't like it either.
She sounded good though.sparkles721 - March 2, 2007
THIS IS A BASEBALL SITE
Please reserve this stuff for your MySpace account.Thanks!
TheEman - March 2, 2007
I don't think there's anything wrong...
with having 5 posts dedicated to American Idol.sparkles721 - March 2, 2007
Sorry you
caught me in a really bitchy mood this morning. You need to get over yourself. If you didn't want to read what we posted then you should have skipped over it. It was harmless conversation that's all.sue369 - March 2, 2007
Lighten up
tough guy.By the way, who did you vote for?
cubbieboy - March 2, 2007
Springsteen
n/tJesse Guam - March 2, 2007
As I have repeatedly said...
... everyone is welcome here.However, perhaps these might have worked better in an off-topic diary. Just a suggestion.
Al Yellon - March 2, 2007
Temperature
Don't know where you get your Mesa weather report, Al, but at my house, about 6 miles as the crow flies from Hohokam, it was 68 degrees in the shade st 1:30pm and noticeably warm and sunny outside.It is forecast to be in upper 70s over the weekend and may hit 80 next week.
jazzman56 - March 2, 2007
Thanks!
I got the temperature from the boxscore. Maybe they were measuring it in the shade.Al Yellon - March 2, 2007
Official Air temperature
is always measured in the shade. If they said 57 degrees in the boxscore, it must've been a typo.Funny story: Many years ago, there was a small town in Arizona that got announced in the weather news almost every day from May to September as being the daily hot spot in the nation. This went on for a couple of years.
Someone checked their weather station and found that out they had moved their temperature gauge out into the direct sun, ensuring an abnormally high reading. Somehow, they thought it would boost the town's image by getting mentioned in the weather reports every day.
After they moved the gauge back into the shade, the hottest spot started reverting to locations that truly deserved it, like Bullhead City, AZ and Death Valley, CA, and the little town was never heard of again.
It is supposed to be 69 here today and I am feeling a strong pull to head out to the ol' ballpark this afternoon (don't tell my boss).
jazzman56 - March 2, 2007
As long as...
... your boss doesn't read BCB, you're in good shape!Al Yellon - March 2, 2007
Laying an egg in spring training
It is me or does the after taste of the past season show up in spring training and the earlier part of the new season before the team really knows what it's got? The errors and the team failing is a good thing to see. The Cubs need to see what's broke so they can fix them for the long hall of the season. Jason M. was okay. He didn't blow up or get hurt. So that means, to me, that it was a success. I believe pressure and tension are good for this team and Lou will address these things. So it was a good first game in a good/bad sort of way.Scott G F - March 2, 2007
Yes, I agree!
And it was good to see sweet Lou get a little perturbed at the club for bad defense and pitching toward the end of the game.I'm glad he has a very low tolerance for stupid plays and lack of execution. Hopefully, This will soon rub-off unto the players, or else they will be riding those busses in the minors all season long.
The sooner the players get that message (which I think they probably have already) the sooner our beloved baseball team gets better!
I am surprised Cedeno made an error. He has been playing ball all winter in Venezuela and should be in top form already.
CubFanSince1970 - March 2, 2007
Cedeno's error
Ronny's error was, IMO, terrible. It was a line drive that had a little hook at the end. He just didn't move his mitt enough. It was a very catchable ball. It's that type of play that he really needs to make if he wants to be a big league ball player.Tarzan Joe - March 2, 2007
Santo
Other than Steve Stone (who would never do it), who would you have doing the color on radio? There are a million different ways to go about that job, and each have their own merits, but be careful what u wish for. God help us if Joe Carter ever steps into a booth in Wrigley again.There will be folks complaining no matter WHO is in the booth. On this very site I've seen people rail on Vin Scully, Bob Uecker, and even the best baseball mind in broadcasting, Stoney.
What I like about Pat & Ron's broadcast is that over the coarse of a season, you feel like you KNOW them. Radio is a much more intimate thing than tv, and I like it that way. When I'm sitting at my computer all day I enjoy listening to my old friends talk about the ball game in the afternoon. I laugh along with them as much as I do O&A and Ron&Fez (XM202)
Ron's time will pass soon enough, and whomever replaces him will be completely different. When that time comes, I'll enjoy the things that THAT guy does well. But I'll miss hanging out w/ Pat and Ron every afternoon.
BCurt10 - March 2, 2007
Stone
I think he'd definitely do it. He wants to return to broadcasting. He likely would prefer it be in either Chicago or Phoenix, where he lives most of the year.Anyone remember the radio broadcasts from the 2003 playoffs? Stone and Hughes? It was a thing of beauty.
DmL
dmlichte - March 2, 2007
I would think...
... Stone would be the obvious choice to replace Santo when Ron retires.You're absolutely right about the 2003 postseason on the radio with Stone & Hughes. One of the best broadcasting teams I have ever heard.
Al Yellon - March 2, 2007
Sure
Stoney would be awesome. I just don't think he'd do it. Isn't that kinda a step down from being the tv color man for all those years.I've said it b4... I learned 100x more from Stoney growing up than I ever did from any of my coaches.
I can't believe ESPN didn't throw a ton of money at him to stay with them.
BCurt10 - March 2, 2007
Radio...
... not necessarily "a step down". Plenty of people listen to the radio broadcasts, in cars and other places you can't get TV, also on MLB Audio and XM.Al Yellon - March 2, 2007
Stone
I don't think you can say that the radio job is a step down. He clearly wants to return to the booth, as evidenced in his applying for the Nationals job. I can't see him turning it down if it were offered. Furthermore, if Stone were to replace Santo, we very well could see a situation where the Cubs return to a mixed booth, rotating the announcers in some fashion, giving everyone time in the TV and radio booth. The Braves do this for all of there games. The Cubs did this through the mid 1990's.And apparently ESPN was paring back on their announcers. More importantly they feel the need to bring in names that people will identify with, regardless of their quality.
DmL
dmlichte - March 2, 2007
At the convention...
when John McDonough talked about him it sounded like they wouldn't bring him back, but maybe they will someday.I never got attached to Stone, and I don't know why because by what everyone says he's good. I'm just too spacey to pay enough attention I guess.
My vivid memory of Stone is him saying that Corey deserved a gold glove in 2004, but that he wouldn't get one because of all the players who normally got them.
sparkles721 - March 2, 2007
2003....
was perfection. IMHO, it makes what goes on daily in the booth that much more sad. We could (and should) have so much more.timeforachange - March 2, 2007
Dave Nelson
was terrible. Now here's going to do some games for the Brewers. Pathetic!davewillie - March 2, 2007
i for one would love a 3 man team
if the cubs would add stone to the radio booth with pat and ron it would be wonderful. with steve's insite and ron's passion, teamed with the best play by play man in radio with pat, you would have the absolute best radio broadcast in baseball.wheatfield mike - March 2, 2007
Why do you need......
Ronnie's passion?Not being disrespectful, but I just don't get it. A fan has passion for the Cubs. Do you really need a cheerleader to make the game more enjoyable?
timeforachange - March 2, 2007
Maybe some people do.
I don't. We know you don't. Obviously, it appeals to a lot of people or they wouldn't keep trotting him out there.Al Yellon - March 2, 2007
I think....
in Ronnie's case, no one wants to be the one to say he has to go. He is a nice guy. He is a institution. Unfortunately, these type of guys are the hardest to transition.The point I was trying to make is that baseball makes me passionate. The Cubs make me passionate. Ronnie's fumbling of the broadcast does not do it for me.
timeforachange - March 2, 2007
I think
I think the reason this whole setup works as it is right now is because you feel like these two guys like eachother. And you would get that same feeling if you threw Steve in the booth as well. And, in that area I think we as Cubs fans are blessed when we listen to the radio. I would say with a lot of broadcast teams, including Len and Bob, you have trouble seeing the guys being friends outside of the booth. I think that is why I am tolerant of it. Does it get old? Of course. But do I like the fact that the guys broadcasting my favorite teams games not only love my team but are friends? More than anything. Would I love more insight and inside information? Sure, but I don't want to sacrifice the chemistry I have now in the booth for some stiff who "knows his stuff" but has zero people skills. That said, I really do hope that whenever Ron hangs it up, and really, you have to believe he knows it must be coming soon, I hope they bring in Stone or someone else that not only knows his stuff, but has a personality that fans can relate to.hawkeyenation - March 2, 2007
Nice
exchange of all of our thoughts about Ron and other annoucers. As we all can see we all have our own preference of style. I guess this is certainly one case where that ole saying " we must agree to disagree". Thanks.wild bill - March 2, 2007
My two cents.....
Thank God for Pat Hughes.deadcatbounce - March 2, 2007
Fan of Santo
I think a lot of baseball broadcasts can get very dry and Santo and Pat do a great job of keeping things lively.Santo gets a bad wrap especially for how they handle spring training games. They obviously play them very loose due to the whole atmosphere of Arizona. Ron was (lightly) making fun of their new spring training director for the way he could be heard announcing they were back on the air after breaks and also had some insightful comments about Colvin's swing after watching him take BP.
Pat is great but without Santo the broadcasts would be cold and not have nearly as much "life".
I think some of the "dumbing down cub nation" comments because Santo is well liked is unfair. I don't need to be taught the game on air, I already know it. Let Pat describe what is happening and let Ronnie fill in the dead air.
JonH - March 2, 2007
But what Ronnie fills in...
Is ill informed, bumbling, and out of touch.It adds NOTHING in my opinion. It is not "charming" anymore when the "color" guy doesn't know what is going on, can't communicate when his job is to communicate. Radio is extremely intimate. I have no problem developing long-term relationships with on-air talent. I LOVED Ron as a "color guy" up through the 2003 season. Now - It is like putting your 95 year old grandpa behind the wheel of a car. Sure he "can" still drive and has a license, but should he REALLY be on the road anymore?
You Ron-on-the-Air supporters out there have nothing to worry about, though. Unless he is physically unable to perform, he will be in the booth forever.
As an audio professional, in my opinion, it would be great if they retired him from the booth and created an office or PR position for him.
TheEman - March 2, 2007
Have I told......
you lately that I love you!!!!!timeforachange - March 2, 2007
One Man Broadcast!
I don't think WGN would do it, but I'd love it if Pat Hughes flew solo a la Scully. He is a historian of the game and doesn't need Stone (overrated by Cubdom) or Santo (HIGHLY overrated by Cubdom) to entertain.Goat Whisperer - March 2, 2007
I should add...
... entertain, educate, and accurately convey the action on the fieldGoat Whisperer - March 2, 2007
Good idea
Vince Lloyd used to do that (one man). Lou Boudreau would go back and forth between TV and radio during the game, which often left Jack Brickhouse alone at the microphone (a scary concept)danimal15 - March 2, 2007
That would work for me.
Pat Hughes is just plain fantastic.deadcatbounce - March 2, 2007
About Pat and Ron
I mentioned this in a post yesterday, but I listen to more games than I watch or attend. And I love Pat and Ron.They're the odd couple of baseball radio. Pat is Felix: prim, proper and well-informed, with a cutting wit and remarkable patience while Ron is, well, Oscar: gruff, grumbly and often confused and incoherent.
But I dig it. Cubs radio wouldn't be nearly as much fun without him. That said, I can certainly understand why and how others may not feel this way.
I should also confess that I really haven't listened to many other baseball radio broadcasts. In fact, the only one I can think of is the White Sox guys, whom I found utterly flat, emotionless and monotone. (And let's not even waste keystrokes on discussing Hawk Harrelson -- can't stand the guy.) So maybe I just don't know any better. Nonetheless, I wanted to put in a good word for Ron as a broadcaster, seeing as how putting in a good word for him as a third baseman never seems to do him any good whatsoever.
daver - March 2, 2007
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