The Cubs make their second visit to Glendale's new Camelback Ranch this week, this time to take on the crosstown rival White Sox.
Newly anointed fifth starter Sean Marshall will face Mark Buehrle -- which means, given Buehrle's usual work pace, that the game should be a quick one. We are getting to the point in the spring where starters should be going six innings. Meanwhile, don't be surprised if Marshall gets a start against the Astros in the opening series or gets skipped entirely till the first homestand, because Lou and Larry want to start all righthanders against Milwaukee, and also because Rich Harden's first turn could be skipped as a result of his bout with the flu and Lou and Larry wanting to be careful with him.
Still worried about Cactus League attendance? The record attendance at HoHoKam Park, set Wednesday, lasted two days. Yesterday's crowd of 13,162 broke it; the 13-game average is now 10,253. Presuming sellouts in the six remaining dates, the Cubs will set an all-time spring attendance record of (approximately) 211,000 -- granted, with more dates than usual this year, that was probably a foregone conclusion -- and a healthy average of about 11,100.
Other notes: Mike Fontenot, TV sitcom star?
Mike Fontenot will be a special guest on an upcoming episode of "My Boys," the TBS sitcom about a female sportswriter who covers the Cubs.
Fontenot will play himself in the episode, parts of which will be taped Tuesday at HoHoKam Park. Without revealing the plot, Fontenot said one of the male characters on the show makes a play for his girlfriend, who apparently is trying to make Fontenot jealous.
Fontenot, a natural ham, was perfect for the part. He said he has seven lines overall and already has learned them.
"I was on the phone with my girlfriend, then I told my sister. … I was pretty excited about it," he said. "I've been standing in front of the mirror rehearsing."
Derrek Lee won't play today, still resting his sore quad (maybe that's what's been affecting his hitting), but will be back in the lineup on Sunday.
It's official: Pudge is an Astro. Meanwhile, Andruw Jones may opt out of his minor league deal and become a free agent. (No, I don't want him as a Cub.)
The WBC resumes tonight, with one of the two semifinals, Korea vs. Venezuela, 8 pm CDT (TV: ESPN). MLB.com Gameday for Korea/Venezuela. Japan plays the USA in the other semifinal tomorrow, which means that either Ted Lilly or Kosuke Fukudome will be on a team which will be eliminated tomorrow night. Roy Oswalt will pitch against Daisuke Matsuzaka in the USA/Japan semi.
Today's game is televised via CSN Chicago (and MLB.TV) with the Sox announcers. It'll also be on WGN radio with Pat & Ron. Here's today's MLB.com Mediacenter for other games.
MLB.com Gameday for Cubs/White Sox
Discuss amongst yourselves.
0 recs | 164 comments
I'm assuming they'll have to shoot Fontenot
from a floor camera.
Brett Taylor - March 21, 2009
RE: WBC
I think the final will be Korea-Japan. I’m rooting for the U.S., but I think the patient and methodical Japanese have a slight edge. Korea has floored me with their great fundamentals.
chilango2 - March 21, 2009
Koskie Retires
According to CST_Cubs tweet. “says the game and career comeback not worth the risk to a normal life with kids, wife, loved ones.”
Emelie - March 21, 2009
I wish him nothing but the best
n/t
chilango2 - March 21, 2009
Sorry to see him go.
And yet, it’s by far for the best. Life is what happens outside of baseball.
MN exile - March 21, 2009
Well, I understand, of course.
I wish he could have played, but he’s doing the right thing under the circumstances. All the best to him and his family.
Al Yellon - March 21, 2009
I wish him the best.
sue369 - March 21, 2009
NittanyCub - March 21, 2009
Boredom
is the first step on the road to relapse. :)
Goodie1969 - March 21, 2009
Ha!
NittanyCub - March 21, 2009
just curioue
what is the next excuse for Dlees hitting? So far I have seen
1. Age
2. Wrist
3. Neck
4 (now) sore quad
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
curioue = curious
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
Sound a lot like the ever changing excuses for a certain Japanese player
Maybe sometimes guys just aren’t good/ or good anymore. DLee has been regressing the last two years. Obviously his 2005 season was the fluke, as players get older they get worse at baseball.
I think DLee will be moved down in the order mid-season, his glove is still nice to have and his bat will be much more attractive if he hits in the 6 or 7 spot.
nji232 - March 21, 2009
Many I cannot believe how far Andruw Jones' has fallen.
That guy used to be M-O-N-E-Y. Strangely enough, BR has his comparable batters through age 31 to be none other than Sammy Sosa.
Dan
dtpollitt - March 21, 2009
It is strange
how fast he fell off the map
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
Well, of course....
… Sosa’s best years were after age 29, so that makes sense.
Al Yellon - March 21, 2009
TWHS?
thats what Hoff said
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
LOL
Of course, Sosa had 206 HR by the time he was 29.
Hoffpauir has two.
Al Yellon - March 21, 2009
true
Sosa also was learning on the job with some horrible teams as well.
No way Hoff is Sosa, but it had to be said
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
It's not even worth making any such comparison.
Two different players, two very different situations.
Al Yellon - March 21, 2009
I know and agree
but with your saying “Hoff cant do it now cuz he is 29” contradict “Sosa’s best seasons were after he was 29”
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
They do?
How? Sosa was an established major league star at age 29 with over 200 career HR.
How on Earth does that compare to Hoffpauir’s present situation?
Al Yellon - March 21, 2009
the age factor
and the comments Iahve seen from many about how you cannot get better at 29
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
Iahve - I have
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
Well, and I'm hesistant to say this because of the debate it may bring...
Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens sure got better after 29.
Beaushek - March 21, 2009
for "proven" reasons
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
That's fine, all I'm saying is using Sammy Sosa for your argument
that players can get better after 29 is telling me that you want hoffpauir to gain a ton of muscle in an insanely short amount of time.
There’s definitely a few ways to do that, none of them legal.
Beaushek - March 21, 2009
Fontenot can act actually
When we shot the backstage stuff with Dempster and Howry at WWE last year, Fontenot was there too. We used the version without him because it was more PG. He didn’t say anything innapropriate but our wrestler did but he was much better on camera than Howry or Dempster.
ak123 - March 21, 2009
Trying to decide
if I want to mute the TV and just watch.
sue369 - March 21, 2009
What time is the US playing?
Mr.Cub - March 21, 2009
Tomorrow at 7 pm CDT.
Also on ESPN.
Al Yellon - March 21, 2009
Well, there's one good reason to watch this game.
It’s in HD.
Al Yellon - March 21, 2009
I have a reason not to watch
No link yet for MLB.TV coverage, just the WGN Radio audio (which might be easier to handle anyway).
Qixotl - March 21, 2009
Never Mind
Forced the player window to give me a link. Not widescreen though.
Qixotl - March 21, 2009
I don't think so.
It’s formatted to fill the 16:9 screen, but the players look slightly distorted, and I can tell you just by looking at the picture that is not 1080i. Looks like they applied some stretching to the 4:3 image, so rather than being displayed properly with sidebars, it gives the illusion of HD. It’s not a very good illusion.
Goodie1969 - March 21, 2009
how does Fontentot look? That's the ultimate test... ;-)
ballhawk - March 21, 2009
Even shorter than usual.
And some of Theriot’s scrappiness is not displaying properly, either. :-)
Goodie1969 - March 21, 2009
Well that was quick.
sue369 - March 21, 2009
wow, lucky us
we got a “he gone”, “chopper, two hopper”, and “can o’ corn” all in the same inning from Uncle Hawkeroo.
davidalanu - March 21, 2009
+ ears bleeding
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
Ugh.
I’m switching to radio. Might go out for a while, too; it’s gorgeous here in Chicago today (almost 60 degrees and sunny).
Al Yellon - March 21, 2009
Go Aggies! UCLA got crushed by Villanova. Hope Duke beats Texas.
Mr.Cub - March 21, 2009
Just to get the feeling of Camelback ranch
I will heat a towel, light a mango-scented candle, go sit on the deck with a beer in hand and listen to Pat and Ron.
Bill Potter - March 21, 2009
Steve Stone
was just talking about the Cubs trade of Mark DeRosa and said “the cubs traded DeRosa much to OUR dismay.” Anybody catch that? Who does he mean by “our”?
muehlman - March 21, 2009
The American League
kofspades - March 21, 2009
AL Central
to be more exact I would bet
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
the AL Central except for Cleveland
to be even more exact… ;-)
ballhawk - March 21, 2009
or the white sox to get exacting.
larry - March 21, 2009
and Clevelands previous starting 3B
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
you are right.
I was thinking he slipped and was thinking of himself as a Cub but you are right.
muehlman - March 21, 2009
For what it's worth, just got back from walking around Wrigley...
…and the new beer garden will NOT be encompassing the Harry Caray statue as some have previously speculated. All the brickwork has been laid and you can see where the brick pattern changes and establishes a ‘boundary’ if you will.
On the east side (closest to the statue and Gate D), the border will pretty much be the same as the railing was for the old patio area. Along Addison, the border is about 16 ft in from the curb. And on the west side, the border is just past the day of game ticket windows. In other words, pretty much the same as what is currently fenced off (imagine that…).
Many of the commemorative bricks around the two trees were uprooted and I suspect will be relocated to some other area around Wrigley. Those uprooted bricks are another clue as to the beer garden’s footprint, because I can’t imagine they would be within an area that the public can’t get to (for free).
ballhawk - March 21, 2009
I went by there just now too.
Sorry I missed you — I was there right at 3:30!
You’re right about the statue. I also took a photo of the scoreboard, which is being painted. Will post it in the game recap.
Al Yellon - March 21, 2009
Wrigleyville
“More bars in more places”
Employee22 - March 21, 2009
Also on MLB Network
The ’Guide" on my Cox Cable Box in Oklahoma City says the game will be on at 4pm (Tape Delayed). Anybody else see this?
Cub_in_OKC - March 21, 2009
sure nuff
you are correct, I see the same here in Austin
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
HD?
You get MLBN in HD? Is the game going to be broadcast that way I wonder
Cub_in_OKC - March 21, 2009
no no no
just digital
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
for me digital
I have an older HD TV and have not upgraded my DTV to HD, since I own my equip and have not felt like being out of pocket for the HD equip
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
WOW
what a hook by Marshall there
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
Yeah, quite impressive....He's come along...
zevkalman - March 21, 2009
if a game is on WGN or Comcast
will it be blacked out on MLB Network, like it is on ESPN?
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
I don't know.
Al Yellon - March 21, 2009
that answers my question
I am blacked out on MLB Network here on DTV, so it is Hark or bust for me
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
It's KENNY LOFTON, Ron! KENNY LOFTON!!!
ballhawk - March 21, 2009
How did Ron not get that??
muehlman - March 21, 2009
He said it best - "another senior moment..."
ballhawk - March 21, 2009
Soriano!!!!
muehlman - March 21, 2009
Theriot with a double.
kofspades - March 21, 2009
I don't recall ever seeing him hit a shot down the third base line....
weird.
zevkalman - March 21, 2009
HR Gameboard!!!
muehlman - March 21, 2009
Yahtzee!
Bill Potter - March 21, 2009
Monopoly!
zevkalman - March 21, 2009
You sunk my battleship!!???
muehlman - March 21, 2009
You're a real *mastermind*
zevkalman - March 21, 2009
Yeah, I reall need to get a "clue"
muehlman - March 21, 2009
And I gotta get a "Life"
zevkalman - March 21, 2009
1st as a cub!!
muehlman - March 21, 2009
Boy that one really "flu" out of the park!
ballhawk - March 21, 2009
hahaha
sue369 - March 21, 2009
Well said
I’m just waiting for the first Derosa comment.
Beaushek - March 21, 2009
oh we had those earlier in the week, when DeRo hit a homer for Team USA, but I'm sure there'll be more.
I plan on having a few myself, but seeing as how I’m a Tribe fan, they’ll be happy ones!
ballhawk - March 21, 2009
I've turned into a Tribe fan when I watch AL baseball because of DeRo, Wood, and...
the fact that my next-door neighbor is from Cleveland, and my great grandparents were from Elyria!
Not that AL baseball is real baseball, but it’s a close approximation….
zevkalman - March 21, 2009
Off to work all, go Cubs, go Korea
Beaushek - March 21, 2009
so cubs so
tim815 - March 21, 2009
Love seeing Cubs
run over home plate.
sue369 - March 21, 2009
6-1
sue369 - March 21, 2009
How does it taste, Hawk?!
How does it taste!!
Walker71421 - March 21, 2009
Like chicken.
Zeke - March 21, 2009
Chickenhawk
Zeke - March 21, 2009
haha
I hate listening to the Sox announcers, but am really starting to enjoy hearing the sadness in their voices
Walker71421 - March 21, 2009
+1
sue369 - March 21, 2009
7-1
muehlman - March 21, 2009
Make it 9-1
6 runs this inning, all with 2 outs.
Bill Potter - March 21, 2009
How are they scoring ?
I am on a hotel computer in Syracuse. MLB scoreboard is TOO slow
Doggie Stalker - March 21, 2009
Is it snowing there?
Al Yellon - March 21, 2009
Hits my son. Hits.
Zeke - March 21, 2009
Gotta love Harrelson...
The runner is barely thrown out at home to end the inning, after the Cubs open up an eight run lead, and Hawk says “Grab some bench!”
“Why thanks HH, I think I will. Getting tired from all this running the bases and scoring.”
Goodie1969 - March 21, 2009
can I sit next to Buehrle
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
+1
Walker71421 - March 21, 2009
is ronnie woo-woo there?
I swear I heard a faint ronnie woo-woo chant in the background watching the game.
#1 iowan cubs fan - March 21, 2009
I was thinking the same, sadly
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
Hey!
Remember, that person is referred to here as “He Who Shall Not Be Named”, or HWSNBN for short.
Al Yellon - March 21, 2009
if you don't say his name
his power just grows greater al.
laidbackliam - March 21, 2009
what happens if you say it three times in a mirror?
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
Once is enough to make the mirror break.
Al Yellon - March 22, 2009
Yep
I hear him too…but then it seems now I always here him….in my nightmares…
Walker71421 - March 21, 2009
who is slotted in the
pen today?
tim815 - March 21, 2009
Inky. Cil. Dant and Nultimate
Zeke - March 21, 2009
you forgot William, Shar and Chant
ballhawk - March 21, 2009
Ney?
Zeke - March 21, 2009
Anyone think Andres Blanco would make a nice backup infielder?
lswaidz - March 21, 2009
Looks like we're showing Ozzie what's what
Emelie - March 21, 2009
I'm just happy SMarsh looked awesome
About time he gets a real chance
lswaidz - March 21, 2009
And then some
sue369 - March 21, 2009
Micah pinch-hitting - not enough time to post an EA pic. Thinking one instead...
ballhawk - March 21, 2009
the black-n-white striped sweater one, to be exact...
ballhawk - March 21, 2009
lswaidz - March 21, 2009
your picture + my thoughts = micah walkpauir!!!!
ballhawk - March 21, 2009
This is the luckiest kid in the WORLD
Too bad he doesn’t know what to do in this particular situation.
“Um… so do you like dragons??”
lswaidz - March 21, 2009
rofl! love the body language
Emelie - March 21, 2009
I wonder if he
even knows who she is? ;-)
sue369 - March 21, 2009
It's from the spelling bee this year
and apparently very few of the kids knew who she was… and she had to take her 3" heels off because she was towering over the kids… she normally wears them for talking to athletes. Apparently many of the kids would see her and pretty much run away, which she liked bc it’s the opposite of what most athletes do to her… kinda funny story.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2008/05/erin_andrews_at_the_bee.html
lswaidz - March 21, 2009
ah, thanks
sue369 - March 21, 2009
lol! You can just see the bubbles over their heads
too much too soon! I’m not ready I’m not ready…. MOMMY!!!
Emelie - March 21, 2009
Ha Ha!
“And now let’s go to Erin Andrews, who’s live in the hotel ballroom with an awkward teenager wearing an orange bracelet. Erin…”
Goodie1969 - March 21, 2009
kid asks
“do you like video games, or dungeon and dragons”
Cubbie-Tim - March 21, 2009
Wow
Jake Fox is a beast. That was RIPT
lswaidz - March 21, 2009
EA residual...
ballhawk - March 21, 2009
Wow.
EA is now helping Jake Fox. Will nothing stop her?
Al Yellon - March 21, 2009
Nope.
And I wouldn’t stop her either… if ya know what I mean…
lswaidz - March 21, 2009
12-2
sue369 - March 21, 2009
woo hoo! let's make it a mercy game!
Emelie - March 21, 2009
should be interesting to see if a certain user who shall not be named (due to his prowess with the search function)
will show up later and/or in the recap.
ballhawk - March 21, 2009
ha...book it
sue369 - March 21, 2009
anybody want to come over and help me pack?
I’m on box 60 and this is getting tired.
Emelie - March 21, 2009
I heard a rumor you are going to Alaska
where in Alaska? I’ve spent time there a bit….
zevkalman - March 21, 2009
fairbanks ... brrr
Emelie - March 21, 2009
Just make sure Sarah Palin stays up there.
lswaidz - March 21, 2009
Nice town. Nice river in the summer. I spent time doing a physics experiment around there...
Delta Junction (about 2 hours away)….
zevkalman - March 21, 2009
great area for scientists to be sure
Emelie - March 21, 2009
If I lived
closer you bet I would. When do you leave for Alaska?
sue369 - March 21, 2009
April Fool's Day
Emelie - March 21, 2009
and thanks for the thought ;-D
Emelie - March 21, 2009
yw
sue369 - March 21, 2009
Not far off then.
Good luck with the move.
sue369 - March 21, 2009
thanks
Emelie - March 21, 2009
Did you actually PICK that day? Or is it a personal joke? :-)
zevkalman - March 21, 2009
I actually picked it... go figure. Me and two cats and a umpty hour fight with a plane change
Emelie - March 21, 2009
IMHO, you'll grow to love Alaska. Really nice and weird people
forced to bundle close together because of the cold "-)
I love the place. Don’t forget NOT to use the word “snow mobiles” or they’ll think you are a foreigner. The word is “snow machine”….
Also, learn to love espresso like I do :-)
zevkalman - March 21, 2009
you've nailed it.
The odds are good but the goods are odd … especially in Fairbanks which has retained more the true Alaskan character than Anchorage… frontier all the way, baby.
Emelie - March 21, 2009
Shark looked in control.
lswaidz - March 21, 2009
By the way... click & clack the tappit brothers Tom & Ray
invoked “pounding sand” on their show today. Kid you not. Is that a common phrase??
Emelie - March 21, 2009
What..the..fuck...was..that?
is that how gathwright usually swings?
xene - March 21, 2009
Let's hope not.
Friendly note: I could do without the profanity. Thanks.
Al Yellon - March 21, 2009
Stoney likes Fox.
I wonder if Dr. Crawdad will show up now that the score is so lopsided.
zevkalman - March 21, 2009
OHMG!
The Sox lost 85-0 in another meaningless ST game! I won’t be able to sleep. Oh, the humanity!
My god the Cubbies are a machine!
This is the year (again)!
The Cubbies have dominated the Sox in every ST game this year!
Sox fans take these ST games so seriously, it’s like it’s their World Series.
DrCrawdad - March 21, 2009
"I'm Bored With Spring Training."
Gee, Kenny, Sorry. You get paid handsomely to watch baseball. Thousands watching don’t have jobs.
What an a-hole.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - March 21, 2009
Or, sorry.
ass-wad.
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - March 21, 2009
So, does Jake Fox make the team?
Or is there no room for both him and Hoffpauir?
cubsonWGN4ever - March 21, 2009
definitely not room for both
I don’t know if there’s anything saying it has to be hoffpauir over fox, though. Especially since fox can theoretically play a little 3b. as of now miles is the backup there.
davidalanu - March 21, 2009
:D Cubs win 13-2
Nooblet - March 21, 2009
is there a delay?
…just got here
daily2b - March 21, 2009
Yup, "tape delay"
Whatever that is. :O
Nooblet - March 21, 2009
thanks
daily2b - March 21, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Bleed Cubbie Blue to post a comment.