UPDATE: The Cubs have officially released the spring schedule as of today, Wednesday, December 3; there were three differences between the schedule I posted on November 25 and the one made official today:
• There's an additional split-squad game on March 13 vs. the Angels at Tempe.
• The game vs. the Padres on March 20 is at Mesa, not Peoria.
• The game vs. the Giants at Scottsdale on March 26 starts at 9:35 CT, not 9:05.
The above changes are reflected in the correct schedule, posted below.
Tickets go on sale online or by phone (1-800-905-3315) on Tuesday, January 6 at 10 am CST, or at the HoHoKam Park box office on Tuesday, January 13 at 9 am MST.
Note: Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday 3/8. Prior to 3/8 all games begin at 2:05 CT; on 3/8 and after, games begin at 3:05 CT. Exceptions are noted.
Wed 2/25: vs. Dodgers at Mesa Thu 2/26: vs. Brewers at Mesa Fri 2/27: vs. Rangers at Surprise Sat 2/28: vs. White Sox at Mesa Sun 3/1: vs. Padres at Peoria Mon 3/2: vs. Diamondbacks at Mesa Tue 3/3: vs. Athletics at Mesa Wed 3/4: vs. Indians (ss)at Goodyear vs. White Sox (ss) at Las Vegas (9:05 CT) Thu 3/5: vs. White Sox (ss) at Las Vegas (3:05 CT) Fri 3/6: vs. Dodgers at Mesa Sat 3/7: vs. Brewers at Maryvale Sun 3/8: vs. Rangers at Mesa Mon 3/9: vs. Royals at Mesa Tue 3/10: vs. Mariners at Peoria Wed 3/11: OFF Thu 3/12: vs. WBC at Mesa Fri 3/13: vs. Mariners (ss) at Mesa vs. Angels (ss) at Tempe Sat 3/14: vs. Angels at Mesa Sun 3/15: vs. Diamondbacks at Tucson Mon 3/16: vs. Brewers at Maryvale Tue 3/17: vs. Dodgers at Glendale Wed 3/18: vs. Giants at Mesa Thu 3/19: vs. Mariners (ss) at Peoria Fri 3/20: vs. Padres at Mesa Sat 3/21: vs. White Sox at Glendale Sun 3/22: vs. Mariners at Mesa Mon 3/23: vs. Athletics at Phoenix Tue 3/24: vs. Rockies at Mesa Wed 3/25: OFF Thu 3/26: vs. Giants at Scottsdale (9:35 CT) Fri 3/27: vs. White Sox at Mesa Sat 3/28: vs. Rockies at Tucson Sun 3/29: vs. Indians at Mesa Mon 3/30: vs. Royals at Surprise Tue 3/31: vs. Angels at Mesa Wed 4/1: vs. Athletics at Phoenix Thu 4/2: vs. Indians at Mesa (2:05 CT) Fri 4/3: vs. Yankees at Yankee Stadium, NYC (6:05 CT) Sat 4/4: vs. Yankees at Yankee Stadium, NYC (12:05 CT)
Most interesting notes: the schedule is a week longer this year to take into account the WBC. The 36 games (including the two in NY) is, I believe, the most ever. Note the three off days, two more than usual. Finally, the Cubs will have only one split-squad game in 2009, down from the usual two or three. This is probably due to the length of the spring season and the larger number of teams available to play.
0 recs | 30 comments
Thu 3/12: vs. WBC at Mesa
What’s that mean? A WBC game will be played at Ho Ho Kam? (doesn’t make sense).
Where’s the “break” in the schedule for the WBC?
JohnM - November 25, 2008
The Cubs will be playing one of the WBC teams.
There are several other teams in both Arizona and Florida who will be doing this, either on that date or a week before (i.e. either before round 1 or round 2).
That’s when the WBC breaks are — where they’ll be playing these exhibitions to “tune up”.
Al Yellon - November 25, 2008
OK
I was under the impression there was going to be something like a week long break for the WBC during ST – I get it now.
JohnM - November 25, 2008
so odd...
… to see Cactus League games against the Dodgers and (once again) the Indians. For the most part the Cubs play opponents 2 or 3 times. Hell, there have been past years where the Cubs played the Giants three times in the first three days of the Cactus League season.
Two trips to Tucson is not too bad.
dmlichte - November 25, 2008
Those may be the last trips ever to Tucson if the Dbacks and Rockies...
… exercise their option to move.
You see teams playing each other only 2 or 3 times because there are now 14 teams in the Cactus League, whereas up to the late 1990’s, when the new complexes started to be built, there were only 8.
Al Yellon - November 25, 2008
Split squads or absence there of is this Lou looking to prepare a veteran club?
Even though I like competition the only place where competition will arise is in one-and-a-half OF spots, Fukudome will be competing for a full time job—-which I think he will (in the expert eyes of the many here) be one of the comeback players of the year next year. He will adjust his hitting and also adjust his overall preparation cementing an OF spot.
The only other competition will be in the bullpen and possibly a SP spot if/when the expected Marquis trade is made—-but the more I think about that this might not be made. A rotation of Z-D-H-L-M is a strength of IP and command. Harden’s backup and possibly Z’s are a concern to be managed.
On the field the only competition might be at SS, so why not work appropriately the team and place AAA/AA players in development as soon as possible.
Ivy Walls - November 25, 2008
Bummer
3rd week when I always go there is only one game in Mesa. Well guess I’ll be following them around that week. No other choice. I’m not going 1st or 2nd week…been there done that during the WBC…had to stay another week to see anyone.
StevenABQ - November 25, 2008
It's often...
… more fun to see the Cubs play in other parks besides Mesa. There are always plenty of Cubs fans even at the other teams’ parks.
Al Yellon - November 25, 2008
Yeah I know
But this year we’re bringing some other friends that have never been so we were hoping to catch at least 2. S’ok like I can really complain we’ll get to see them play @ the Bums and the Sox. And really like I can really complain its spring training!
StevenABQ - November 25, 2008
Rich Hill
Anyone heard much about Rich? I read that he’s pitching in Venezuela right now. All I’ve read says he still has a nasty curve but no idea where his fastball is going.
TXCub - November 25, 2008
See...
…. this FanPost I made last week for more on Hill. (Hint: it’s not good news.)
Al Yellon - November 25, 2008
Very nice!
Lots of baseball early this spring. Can’t wait.
chilango2 - November 25, 2008
three months!
tick… tick… tick…
drewishdrewid - November 25, 2008
Yep, my immediate response to this was...
…WOO HOO! BASEBALL IN FEBRUARY!
daver - December 4, 2008
Excellent
When are you going Al? I’m thinking of going March 12th-15th.
Mordecai - November 25, 2008
Probably the last two weeks as usual.
Al Yellon - November 25, 2008
Probably
Get a chance to say hello then, just booked my flights — Southwest is running a Thanksgiving special and the calendar is open through April. 69 bucks each way for me (not to rub it in).
StevenABQ - November 25, 2008
Where are you coming from?
Mordecai - November 25, 2008
Albuquerque
Hehe, I know not too far away. I’d drive buts its worked out alot cheaper to fly in the last 5 years.
StevenABQ - November 25, 2008
That's pretty good
Southwest wants between $500-$600 for a roundtrip from Chicago.
Mordecai - November 25, 2008
Dang
We got out there this august for about 260 RT each, for me and my wife. Hopefully it drops over the Holiday…sometimes they run those deals. I would check to see the one-way to ABQ and then to Phoenix, you might save alot of $.
StevenABQ - November 25, 2008
me and my girlfriend
we drove from albq to phoenix last year. It was my first time going to spring training and right before I deployed over here. We caught like 4 games I think. It was great. Maybe we’ll fly this year, we’ll have to see.
nmcubsfan - December 4, 2008
I like the schedule
I’ll get to see the Cubs here on a Saturday and a Sunday. In the past, I usually got just one weekend game.
tucsoncubsfan - November 25, 2008
Enjoy.
It may be your last chance to see the Cubs in Tucson.
Al Yellon - November 25, 2008
I know
and I’m not happy about it. I’ll just have to make a weekend of it in Mesa when that happens.
tucsoncubsfan - November 25, 2008
Hey Al...
What happened to the Thanksgiving day pic at the top-left side of the home page? Used to be our favorite cubbie bear in Pilgrim dress holding up a Cardinal by the feet.
blackhawk24 - November 25, 2008
They jumped the gun on posting the holiday lights.
I’ll try to put the Thanksgiving logo in a Thanksgiving Day front page post.
Al Yellon - November 25, 2008
Okay, so we have the schedule...
But what about the REALLY IMPORTANT information…
When can we utter the words that end sadness and sorrow – pitchers and catchers report tomorrow!?
sanantonecub - November 25, 2008
No Cubs split squad?
Al, on March 13 the Cubs play the Mariners and the Angels so the Cubs must have a split squad then, don’t they?
tucsoncubsfan - December 3, 2008
There was no split squad on the original schedule I saw.
Obviously, that’s changed now. I’ll fix the post.
Al Yellon - December 3, 2008
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