Cubs Spring Training Flashback: March 22, 2004

by Al Yellon on Feb 16, 2012 9:45 AM CST in History

Third baseman Scott McClain of the Chicago Cubs swings during a Spring Training game at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

With pitchers and catchers scheduled to report in just two days, rather than another retro recap of a regular season game, I thought I'd share with you a recap of one memorable spring training game from 2004 -- a season we entered with quite a bit of optimism after the near-miss of 2003 and the acquisitions of players like Derrek Lee and Greg Maddux in the offseason.

The hero of the game in question -- indeed, the hero of that Cub camp -- was Scott McClain, who had the spring training of his (or almost anyone's) life: 16-for-48 with five doubles, six home runs and 16 RBI. For that, he got released at the end of camp, and didn't play at all during the 2004 season. The Cubs brought him back to spring camp in 2005; he played that year at Iowa, hitting .291/.358/.577 with 30 HR and 93 RBI. For that, he got a September callup in which he went 2-for-14.

McClain had some talent, but was 33 by the time he had that big year in Triple-A. Bryan LaHair, who has had a similar career track, is somewhat younger at 29. Maybe he'll do this year what McClain couldn't. The photo on this post was taken during that year's spring (although not during the game that's recapped here -- the game I'm linking to was a night game). You can tell right away it's a spring photo by the "71" on his back.

This site did not begin until 2005, but some time ago I was able to import my baseball-related posts from my old blog into the database here. Hope you enjoy this recap of the Cubs' 1-0 win over the Athletics on March 22, 2004. (Note: the link to the Yahoo recap to which I linked in that post is no longer active.)

0 recs | 26 comments

Comments

I was at this game and Maddux was masterful!

The problem was I had a friend at the game that lives near Luke Airforce Base that I hadn’t seen for many years. We found our grass spot in front of the scoreboard early and he and his wife joined around game time. It wasn’t even 9:00 yet and the game was over, leaving much more catching up to do. I guess we should have talked faster since Maddux made a quick night of it. This has now become a tradition for me at spring training, meeting up with my old friend.

Who says baseball is just a game? Whether fathers and sons or family and friends, baseball brings people together like no other sport. Can’t wait for spring training again.

mrcubsfan - February 16, 2012 reply

I must have been sitting right near you that night.

Al Yellon - February 16, 2012 reply

Also there that night.

Maddux was just toying with hitters. Quickest Spring game I’ve ever attended.

San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - February 16, 2012 reply

LaHair got blocked with Seattle in 2009

SEA signed Russell Branyan to play 1B and brought back Ken Griffey Jr for a swan song at DH.

LaHair’s 2008 MLB debut didn’t earn him a spot on the team for 2009. But the 2 signed forced LaHair to repeat AAA.

RiskyBusiness - February 16, 2012 reply

I hope I'm wrong about LaHair.

We’ll find out, I guess.

Al Yellon - February 16, 2012 reply

Even if you're right, LaHair is a low risk for 2012

The Cubs didn’t get Rizzo to stay at AAA forever.

RiskyBusiness - February 16, 2012 reply

Yeah.

I assume if LaHair flops, and Rizzo is tearing it up at Iowa, Rizzo would be recalled and LaHair simply let go.

Al Yellon - February 16, 2012 reply

Best part

We saved some coin by not bringing in a 1 year deal washed up 1B. Even if LaHair puts in a halfway decent season, tradebait since we now have the 1B of the future. I would say I’m not trying to get too excited about Rizzo but I’m past that point…..I hope he keeps his #44 jersey…I might just have to get myself one next spring

unretrofied93 - February 16, 2012 reply

I had so much hope

I really thought they’d carry it into the next season. 04 would have to rate in my least favorite teams over the last 20 years

Madison Cub Fan - February 16, 2012 reply

Yeah.

A season that started with so much hope ended really, really badly, in every way.

Al Yellon - February 16, 2012 reply

I agree.

katie casey - February 16, 2012 reply

I was at Illinois/Purdue football

listening to that Cubs/Mets game on my headphones. I hate that day. A lot.

Hammer - February 16, 2012 reply

It was made worse by the fact

That Fox showed how utterly classless they were by playing “The Night Chicago Died” while the Cubs were imploding.

Vermont Cubs Fan - February 16, 2012 reply

but if Fox played "Sweet Home Chicago" while the Cubs were winning, you'd be okay with that?

ballhawk - February 16, 2012 reply

Gosh, I hated the way that season ended.

Don’t remind me. And to think I was mostly oblivious to the worst of what the thugs on that team (Mercker, Alou) did….

Vermont Cubs Fan - February 16, 2012 reply

Whe you can name on almost your whole left hand

Member of the Cubs one truely disliked ……………………………..

That’s a bad sign for the season.

I think I’m happy BCB wasn’t around then.

Madison Cub Fan - February 16, 2012 reply

Not sure if you're talking about the personalities involved

But aside from that I would say it had my least favorite final week of September, but before that I thought it was a very enjoyable team. But oh that final week. Just thinking about it makes we want to vom.

Even so, I’d take a repeat of that season (minus career-shortening injuries to our best young pitchers) over the last couple of seasons, and over the one I think we’re about to have in 2012. At least there was still a lot to cheer for, and that was also the team that started to have the foundation (Lee, A-Ram, Zambrano as our ace) for the teams that did so well in 07 & 08.

Orval Overall - February 16, 2012 reply