2009 Cubs Spring Training Official Schedule

by Al on Dec 3, 2008 1:32 PM CST in News Comment 30 comments

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.

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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?

My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.

by JohnM on Nov 25, 2008 8:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

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”.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 25, 2008 8:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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.

My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.

by JohnM on Nov 25, 2008 9:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by dmlichte on Nov 25, 2008 9:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

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.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 25, 2008 9:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Nov 25, 2008 9:29 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

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.

by StevenABQ on Nov 25, 2008 9:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

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.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 25, 2008 9:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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!

by StevenABQ on Nov 25, 2008 9:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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.

"I'm petrified of nipple chafing. Once it starts, it's a vicious circle." Andy Bernard

by TXCub on Nov 25, 2008 9:43 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

See...

…. this FanPost I made last week for more on Hill. (Hint: it’s not good news.)

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 25, 2008 9:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Very nice!

Lots of baseball early this spring. Can’t wait.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Nov 25, 2008 9:53 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

three months!

tick… tick… tick…

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Nov 25, 2008 9:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yep, my immediate response to this was...

…WOO HOO! BASEBALL IN FEBRUARY!

Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.

by dat cubfan daver on Dec 4, 2008 11:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Excellent

When are you going Al? I’m thinking of going March 12th-15th.

Old Style is the nectar of life.

by Mordecai on Nov 25, 2008 10:06 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Probably the last two weeks as usual.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 25, 2008 10:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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).

by StevenABQ on Nov 25, 2008 10:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Where are you coming from?

Old Style is the nectar of life.

by Mordecai on Nov 25, 2008 10:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Albuquerque

Hehe, I know not too far away. I’d drive buts its worked out alot cheaper to fly in the last 5 years.

by StevenABQ on Nov 25, 2008 10:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's pretty good

Southwest wants between $500-$600 for a roundtrip from Chicago.

Old Style is the nectar of life.

by Mordecai on Nov 25, 2008 11:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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 $.

by StevenABQ on Nov 25, 2008 12:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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.

by nmcubsfan on Dec 4, 2008 7:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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.

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson

by tucsoncubsfan on Nov 25, 2008 10:08 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Enjoy.

It may be your last chance to see the Cubs in Tucson.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 25, 2008 10:11 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I know

and I’m not happy about it. I’ll just have to make a weekend of it in Mesa when that happens.

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings. ~Earl Wilson

by tucsoncubsfan on Nov 25, 2008 10:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Nov 25, 2008 11:04 AM CST reply actions 0 recs