The Cubs lost to the Giants 8-6 this afternoon on another sunny, 75-degree day in Mesa.
So what? Wins and losses don't mean a thing in spring training. And this isn't a rationalization, it's the truth. Most major league managers would tell you that they don't even necessarily play to win each ST game -- because they are experimenting with lineups, taking regulars out early, and switching pitchers far more often than they would during a regular season game.
So what happened today that was meaningful for the Cubs?
- Carlos Zambrano threw two decent innings, though he ruined the first one with his own throwing error.
- Rich Hill also threw two uneventful innings, striking out three
- Kosuke Fukudome continued to play On-Base Machine, walking twice more and scoring two runs; in fact, the Cubs drew nine walks total today, a good sign, including two from Mike Fontenot, who also doubled and who will be given the chance to see if he can play 3B or SS, to improve his chances of sticking as a utility player
- One of our Closer Candidates, Carlos Marmol, appeared in a game for the first time, and Marmol put some random minor league Giants down 1-2-3.
- Why is Les Walrond even still issued a major league uniform? He's awful. He is 31 years old. He wasn't even any good when he was younger. There have to be better ways to fill out the Iowa rotation than with retreads like this.
There isn't that much more to say about this afternoon's game, which none of us saw nor heard, only followed on Gameday -- well, as best we could, because at times there were long pauses between Gameday updates. Tomorrow's game, being televised, will provide much more fodder for discussion. And, the Cubs will actually be playing someone other than the Giants! Finally -- if you're in Chicago or the surrounding area, I'm sure you were happy to see the sun and temperatures above 40 today; spring can't be far behind.
I'm glad that Big Z pitched well
cubs ftw - February 29, 2008
I'm glad Walrond...
got lit up in this game...maybe it will save us from the outside chance he sticks around too long during ST and takes innings away from the pitchers who will actually get ML hitters out during the regular season.santoswoodenlegs - February 29, 2008
Walrond
It is amazing a guy that like sticks around for that long. Last year at ST he was very nice to myself and friends and talked a while, at least he isn't a jerk.It will be nice to watch some Cubs baseball on a Saturday.
slocs55 - February 29, 2008
I really do feel for him...
at least a bit. The guy is just trying to live the dream. But it takes all of one inning in Spring Training to figure out why it won't happen. Sigh. At least he was in the Show.Damen Jackson - February 29, 2008
That's Walrond's reason
for being on the team. He's here to eat innings in AAA and serve as a good example to the younger kids. He knows he's never going to get more than an emergency start in the majors anymore.I would imagine his dreams these days involve making it to the majors as a pitching coach. That's what often happened to Larry Rothschild, for example. Walrond's major league career is already 17 innings longer than Rothschild's.
Josh Timmers - March 1, 2008
I was at the game until
the bottom of the 7th. Left to beat the traffic.Fukudome impresses me. Ok, it's only ST, but he knows what he's doing up there, no wasted AB's.
Z looked good, Hill, too. Fontenot was still stroking the ball.
Don't know what the weather stations were saying, but it definitely was in the 80's there today. Talked to a potential BCBer in the LF bleachers, the very nice couple hail from western DuPage County. Had a great time chatting with them while quaffing frosty Old Styles.
Soriano was in CF for an inning or so, he lost a ball in the sun, Fuld misjudged one right before that. Don't know what Fuld was looking at, it wasn't that hard of a play. He took his first step in, and it was over him.
Got to shake Fergie's hand today at his charity kiosk and he signed my glove. Also caught my first ever BP HR today on the fly.
BigJohnAZ - February 29, 2008
I thought the outfield berm area was closed...
...during BP. Not true? I'm assuming gates open 2 hours before game time which should get you about 2/3 of the Cubs BP and all of the visitors BP. But I thought I heard/read somewhere that they don't open up the outfield berm area until after BP. Hope I'm wrong and based on your exploits today, sounds like I am. Just looking to confirm. Thanks.And congrats on catching your first. Did they stop BP and let you toss the ball off to the side for safe-keeping? ;-)
ballhawk - February 29, 2008
It is closed
but (shhh shhhh) I met a long time Cubs fan there that is the first one at the all the HoHoKam games and he camps right under the scoreboard. He told me that if you are careful and time it, you can run in there and snag one before the security sees you. I was picking up one that was laying there and the hitter who I don't remember, launched another dinger and I camped under it for the catch. I am not trying to get anyone in trouble but I got lucky today. If a bunch of people start showing up there to try and sneak one HR balls out, the Cubs will post more security there.BigJohnAZ - February 29, 2008
Big security changes since the 80's
I used to walk right onto the field during BP in the 80's. I'd act like I belonged and without interrupting anyone that was doing drills or in the cage, strike up conversations with the players, Harry, Zimmer. I have pics but haven't been able to put them up here. The link someone provided in another post didn't work for me.I went back to ST in 1992 and it was already set up to protect the players and limit access. Ah, those were the days.
Fitch was pretty open then and spent quite a bit of time talking to Jim Colborn one year. He lived in Ventura County, CA at one time, where I lived from 1964 to 1998, and was involved in the one year Ventura Gulls A ball team experiment. Very friendly to me.
Anyway, congrats on the HR ball and meeting Fergie. He and Santo were my favorites.
jtiet - March 1, 2008
Yeah, I made my catch
and tossed it to my peeps. They secured it and made sure it left the stadium without fans rushing to catch a glimpse of such a historic ball! LOLBigJohnAZ - February 29, 2008
The reason...
... they started closing the berm during BP is that adults were starting to trample kids going for HR balls. VERY bad form.Al Yellon - February 29, 2008
Forgot to mention that
Sori took a 4 pitch walk in the bottom of the first, that was a good thing to see. All in all, good plate discipline so far after 2 games. 9 Cubs walks today vs. 6 K's.BigJohnAZ - February 29, 2008
You say spring not far behind?
I think Tom Freakin Skilling should determine that.LilLPLancer23 - February 29, 2008
Walk ratios
Sure it's early, but it's been nice to see the pitchers keeping the walks down and the lineup drawing lots of them while keeping the Ks down.Mike Vails Evil Twin - February 29, 2008
Yes, it sure is.
Dusty Baker must be spinning in his -- oh, wait.Al Yellon - February 29, 2008
I know I went OT
a bit, but DAMN it was fun to be out there today!!!Attendance was 8,838, so I guess everyone is waiting for Spring Break. Was nice not having to trip over people on the lawn.
FYI, beers are $6.50, Old Style cans are $5.
BigJohnAZ - February 29, 2008
egad
isn't that MORE than it is at Wrigley?drewishdrewid - February 29, 2008
I don't mind...
... that you posted about being at the game -- it's so early, I'm glad someone from BCB was there to report on the festivities.About the prices, yes, the concession prices are major league. At least the food is better now than it used to be.
Al Yellon - February 29, 2008
A beer at Chase Field
Will run ya $9.00.lemon20pie - March 1, 2008
That's insane.
n/tAl Yellon - March 1, 2008
When I go to D Back games
I usually only have 1 beer. That's fricking stealing, IMO.BigJohnAZ - March 1, 2008
Still no....
A-Ram?ams05g - February 29, 2008
Playing it cautious
Which is a good thing to do when talking about our most crucial run producer in the lineup. Ramirez should have his playing time limited to what he needs to get in shape and be ready for Opening Day.MDBNIU - February 29, 2008
His throwing arm is stiff
On the radio today, Lou says he has a little stiffness in his throwing arm, but he is playing on Sunday.louslovechild - February 29, 2008
On whether today's game was...
...a success: Did anyone important get injured? No. Success! - TLtimlacy - February 29, 2008
All Angels Spring training games
are now free on the internet, whether you have gameday audio or not. So everyone can listen to today's game, although you'll probably have to listen to the Angels feed. But if it's Terry Smith and Rory Markus, they're very good.Angels games are free because KLAA (Which stands for Los Angeles Angels, btw and is owned by Arte Moreno) won't preempt their right-wing talk shows during the day for Angels spring training games.
But everyone should be able to listen to today's game on the internet.
Josh Timmers - March 1, 2008
So do you get these...
... through the normal Gameday Audio channels? Or somewhere else?Al Yellon - March 1, 2008
I believe through
normal Gameday channels. I just got an email from the Angels saying that all the games would be available for free and a link that took me to gameday audio.Doesn't seem to have anything up on the website though. But I'd check the the Angels website closer to gametime. Or I'd just try to click on the Angels feed and see if it asks for a password.
Good thing I'm up with a crying baby. :-)
Josh Timmers - March 1, 2008
Reading the email
it says "Courtesy of angelsbaseball.com, fans can LISTEN LIVE to all Angels' Spring Training games broadcast on KLAA 830 for FREE at angelsbaseball.com. Free Game Day Audio for Angels Spring Training games will begin on March 1, 2008. Tune in and catch all the action!"Josh Timmers - March 1, 2008
Thanks!
The Cubs play the Angels three more times after today:Friday, March 14 at Mesa
Sunday, March 16 at Mesa (game on WGN-TV)
Wednesday, March 26 at Tempe
Hope the baby's stopped crying by now.
Al Yellon - March 1, 2008
On the..
.... MLB.com Mediacenter for today, there's now a KLAA link. I clicked on it and it did NOT ask for a login/password, so I presume this will be the same at gametime. Thanks again for the info.Al Yellon - March 1, 2008
spring
glad to hear kosuke is doing well.i,d like to see fontenot make the team.probably will start in aaa.NOMAR - March 1, 2008
First prediction for 2009....
If Les Walrond is in a Major League camp during spring training next year, he will be making pancakes and coffee for the grounds crew.ctcoff99 - March 1, 2008
I'll bet we could have predicted that...
... last year, too.And how do we know he's not doing this NOW?
Al Yellon - March 1, 2008
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