Open Thread: Cubs vs. Brewers, Thursday 3/27, 2:05 CT

by Al on Mar 27, 2008 9:41 AM CDT in Game Threads

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona -- Today is the final day of Cactus League play. For those of us who have been here in Arizona for a while, it will be "weather shock" to return to the chilly Midwest tonight.

In the meantime, one more day in the sunshine before I fly home tonight. Today's game starts an hour earlier than usual so that the ballclubs can break camp, and the Cubs head to Las Vegas tonight for their two-game series vs. the Mariners this weekend.

For those of us (most of us, I'd say) who grew up with the Cubs and WGN, here's a little bit of the history of WGN and the Cubs and an announcement that there will be a two-hour special called "Cubs Forever: Celebrating 60 Years of WGN TV and the Cubs", at 6 pm CT on April 20.

Kerry Wood doesn't want any special "entrance song" when he comes in to close games:

"I don't think Wrigley is that type of ballpark," Wood said. "That's more of a generational thing for closers— Trevor Hoffman started it with 'Hells Bells,' and [Mariano] Rivera and Billy Wagner and so on and so on.
"Fans are so loud at Wrigley Field in the ninth inning I don't think you'd be able to hear any noise on that sound system anyway. I've never really thought about what song I'd use."

To which I say: good for him. Based on what I've heard for him coming in during ST games, it'll be really loud. Cheering.

The other day when I posted spring training attendance figures, I inadvertently left out one game. The correct figures are: in 14 dates, the Cubs have drawn 168,498, an average of 12,035. They'd need to draw almost 13,400 -- physically impossible -- to break the record average of 12,125 set in 2004. So that won't happen, but they're expecting another sellout today.

Both teams have announced that "minor leaguers" will do most of the pitching today, but who knows exactly what that means. It would normally be Ted Lilly's turn, but he's being held back till tomorrow to keep him on a "normal" four days' rest for his first regular season start next Wednesday. (I think, just as Lou didn't want Z to face the Brewers earlier in the spring, he probably didn't want Lilly to face them twice in six days, either.) The Brewers don't have an announced starter, either.

Today's game is on WGN-TV, and on MLB.com radio and MLB.TV via the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)

MLB.com Gameday (2008 version)

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Comments

what? no wild thing?

by cubsonWGN4ever on Mar 27, 2008 9:43 AM CDT 0 recs

Speaking of Lilly...

I think he's been talked about the least out of all the pitchers this spring.

I find that his stats don't really tell me much other than he hasn't given up a lot of walks (4) and HR (2).

He has started 4 games, and has an ERA of 6.00. Did he just get blown up in one outing? Has anyone seen him pitch more than once? How does he look overall? How has he looked his last couple outings?

by bap on Mar 27, 2008 9:53 AM CDT 0 recs

Woody is so Cubs...

I love his remarks about the song. These are the reasons I always wanted him separated from Prior when they were struggling "together".

Woody is not concerned with anything but doing his job and enjoying it. Well he loves to win too but I just admire the way he has handled himself throughout the past four seasons. It is refreshing to watch guys mature as ballplayers and as people.

Damn Nutrisystem...I'm freakin dyin for some Italian beef!

by Kinky Reggae on Mar 27, 2008 9:53 AM CDT 0 recs

He just "gets" it

About being a Cub and playing @ Wrigley Field. I hope he can resurrect his career and stay with the Cubs for along time.

"We're going to turn this team around 360 degrees." -Jason Kidd

by tony412 on Mar 27, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up 0 recs

Exaclty.

It's hard not to root for a guy who "gets" what it is to be a Cub and play here in Chicago. He doesn't take it for granted and has worked tremendously hard to come back.

It would be truly something if he came back and had a good year as a closer in '08.

by Tangled Up In Blue on Mar 27, 2008 10:05 AM CDT up 0 recs

Loud, sustained applause.

n/t

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

by Al on Mar 27, 2008 10:06 AM CDT up 0 recs

Exactly...and that is the reason he's here...

...he could have made more money elsewhere but he knows nothing would be better than winning here.

Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

by JB 23 on Mar 27, 2008 10:07 AM CDT up 0 recs

Here, Here

It is awfully refreshing to see an athlete who is about more than the money. Too many of these players are about the money and that's it. Case and point is Johny (sp?) Damen who said, during his free agent year, he would never play for the Yankees. Look who he is playing for now. I think that if someone were to ask me who exemplifies what it means to be a Cub the most, I would tell them Kerry Wood. Here's to hoping he goes out there and proves all the nay sayers, especially including That-Writer-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named.

by gwood on Mar 27, 2008 11:08 AM CDT up 0 recs

Glad he wasn't mentioned

Wish everyone would adhere to this new policy.

"We're going to turn this team around 360 degrees." -Jason Kidd

by tony412 on Mar 27, 2008 11:23 AM CDT up 0 recs

Playing Field

Just wanted to give a quick update on the playing surface at Wrigley. They had the door open in RF on my walk to the L this morning and I stopped to take a look in.

They've removed the "wedding banquet tents" sometime yesterday that were covering the infield. The grounds crew was working on the infield this morning.

The OF grass looks surprisingly good. Not lavishly green, but after being under more than a couple inches of snow as recently as this weekend, it looks pretty good.

The grounds crew has done a terrific job all winter long. This, coupled with the resurfacing project, should have Wrigley in tip-top playing shape this year.

We are suppose to get more snow here in Chicago this weekend, and that will have an effect on Monday's game, but it appears that grounds crew is working hard to make sure there is a safe, playable surface.

by Tangled Up In Blue on Mar 27, 2008 10:03 AM CDT 0 recs

Great update.

n/t

by bap on Mar 27, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up 0 recs

Has anyone got the link

to the Wrigley Field webcam? (The one pointing at the field, not the one outside the park.)

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Mar 27, 2008 11:07 AM CDT up 0 recs

try this

http://cubs.truelook.com/face/newface.jsp?func=live&name=/chicagocubs/wrigleyfield/camera2

by frisch on Mar 27, 2008 11:20 AM CDT up 0 recs

thanks

pretty cool, wish I had this when I was buying tickets online.

"We're going to turn this team around 360 degrees." -Jason Kidd

by tony412 on Mar 27, 2008 11:28 AM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah, thanks

I keep forgetting to bookmark that.

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Mar 27, 2008 11:41 AM CDT up 0 recs

You Can Get To That...

...off Cubs.com, can't you?

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 27, 2008 11:52 AM CDT up 0 recs

Yes, but...

... via cubs.com it is behind the Cubs Club wall. Thanks for the link.

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

by Al on Mar 27, 2008 11:54 AM CDT up 0 recs

Does this mean

Cedeno will have to run the bases with blinders on since he won't have the tents to keep out the distractions?

by gwood on Mar 27, 2008 11:09 AM CDT up 0 recs

Preston Gomez,

Evidently was critically injured in California.

Story in Chicagotribune.com

by coral on Mar 27, 2008 10:07 AM CDT 0 recs

here's the article

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/red-032708-gomez,1,5652001.story

by coral on Mar 27, 2008 10:10 AM CDT up 0 recs

Idk

I really wouldnt mind a badass song for kerry. I think it would be cool, but i also see where he is coming from

by Kchance on Mar 27, 2008 10:12 AM CDT 0 recs

Like "Go Cubs Go"?

;-)

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 27, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up 0 recs

Maybe, just maybe

After a couple 30-40 save seasons, both us and Wood can revisit this whole entrance song thing.

"We're going to turn this team around 360 degrees." -Jason Kidd

by tony412 on Mar 27, 2008 10:17 AM CDT up 0 recs

Great call Wood

I dont like the enterance songs. I also dont like teams shooting off fireworks when a player hits a solo shot when their team is down 5 runs. I dont like circus pinwheels or jumbotrons bigger than the parking lot. I dont like the hotdogs stands and bathrooms and everything else sponsored. I don't like UnderArmour logos.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 27, 2008 10:37 AM CDT 0 recs

so you don't like

Comiscular Field, period. And you also don't like the UA signage @ Wrigley. Would you like to pay an extra $10 per ticket to make up for the revenue lost by taking down the UA logo? It's not that serious. It's not like they're mowing the whole outfield grass in a logo or anything.

I dislike the south side park for all those reasons you listed as well. It's a chick park. They get to "watch things on tv".

"We're going to turn this team around 360 degrees." -Jason Kidd

by tony412 on Mar 27, 2008 10:47 AM CDT up 0 recs

Obligatory...

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 27, 2008 10:43 AM CDT 0 recs

great call

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 27, 2008 10:45 AM CDT up 0 recs

It's snowing

here so I hope you get home before it hits there. I'm so sick of this freaking snow.

Looking forward to the game today. :-)

by sue369 on Mar 27, 2008 11:00 AM CDT 0 recs

You'll love this Sue369

I had a dream last night I was at a Cubs game. Not at Wrigley but it was a home crowd. Someone yells "Zambrano is signing autographs." So I went over and passed my hat through the fence to him. He signed it and passed it to another player. After 8 or so players signed the hat someone threw it back over the fence. I picked it up and all the players had signed the inside of the hat. The one sig that stood out said this.

Cliff

The Cubs have the best MILFs.

Soto

Now what in the heck is that about!?! ahahha

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 27, 2008 12:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Sue once told me about a Cub dream she had...

but it was pretty boring cause it all about Murton "warming up".

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 27, 2008 12:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

OMG

LMBHBSO!

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 27, 2008 12:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

HOLY CEDENO!!!

by sue369 on Mar 27, 2008 3:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

Jeesh

I never have neat dream like that. :-)

by sue369 on Mar 27, 2008 3:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

Kudos to Woody (yet again)...

...for showing not only great stuff on the mound, but a no-BS attitude off the field as well.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Mar 27, 2008 11:06 AM CDT 0 recs

Let's keep it classy Chicago

great call by Wood's on nixing any idea of an entrance song for him....a true baseball fan doesn't need a jumbo screen to tell them to get loud or some D-bag trying to pump us up. Can't wait to shade out on work early Monday to catch the Cubs!!!

"Commit to the Indian!"

by Bpatterson83 on Mar 27, 2008 11:09 AM CDT 0 recs

This

but he's being held back till tomorrow to keep him on a "normal" four days' rest for his first regular season start next Wednesday

just gave me butterflies. It's almost here!

by morgane on Mar 27, 2008 11:10 AM CDT 0 recs

hear hear!

I've been freaking out since pitchers reported to camp

by cubsonWGN4ever on Mar 27, 2008 11:11 AM CDT up 0 recs

Spring training

does seem to have taken forever though. Maybe that's because of the constant looking forward to opening day! Just wish I could be somewhere near Wrigley for that game, unfortunately I will be stuck in frigid Minneapolis listening on the radio while at work. I am terribly jealous of most of you all.

by gwood on Mar 27, 2008 11:13 AM CDT up 0 recs

You think that's bad?

I'll be watching GameDay at work...here...in St Louis.

You don't snipe in Carrington!

by neverAcquiesce on Mar 27, 2008 11:15 AM CDT up 0 recs

you got me there

by gwood on Mar 27, 2008 11:18 AM CDT up 0 recs

I

I will be in attendance for the aforementioned game. However as a student currently residing in Wisconsin, it's a rare treat.

by morgane on Mar 27, 2008 11:58 AM CDT up 0 recs

Nice look

from the camera. Reminds me of why I moved to New Mexico.....

by crazymountain on Mar 27, 2008 11:25 AM CDT 0 recs

MAN

SO CLOSE!!!

God i love u wood

man crush

by Rudey on Mar 27, 2008 11:50 AM CDT 0 recs

Man it's hard...

To think about opening day when it's snowing like hell right now. Al, enjoy the last game in the sun. I have to run to the 7-11 now, and will look at the snow on the outfield grass for you all.

Ugh.

"To know that I know what I know, and that I do not know what I do not know. That is true knowledge" - Confucious as quoted in Walden

by toaster on Mar 27, 2008 11:59 AM CDT 0 recs

Always nice

to grab a 6'er at said 7-11 for waiting in the bleacher line haha

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 27, 2008 12:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

Lineups

Brewers
Weeks, 2B
Cameron, CF
Fielder, 1B
Braun, LF
Hall, 3B
Hart, RF
Dillon, DH
Hardy, SS
Rivera, C
Mark DiFelice, P

Cubs
Johnson, CF
Soriano, LF
Lee, 1B
Ramirez, 3B
Fukudome, RF
Ward, DH
DeRosa, 2B
Cedeno, SS
Blanco, C
Cory Bailey, P (37 years old; drafted by Boston in 1991)

by Bruce Miles on Mar 27, 2008 12:02 PM CDT 0 recs

Yea!

I can finally break out my Cory Bailey jersey!

I've told you a million times never to exaggerate!!

by pscrblazer on Mar 27, 2008 12:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ahhhhh

Get to see all the big bats today.

by lilkimmer77 on Mar 27, 2008 12:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

Looks like

this could be our line-up against LH pitchers with Johnson leading off, minus Ward, and replace Theriot/Soto at the bottom of the line-up.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 27, 2008 1:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

So glad we're getting over...

The stubborn madness of Soriano as leadoff!!

"When you have a fat friend there are no see-saws, only catapults." --Demetri Martin

by Reddevil on Mar 27, 2008 1:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

Interesting...

... that they have added a DH. On the pre-game show with Santo and Piniella, Lou mentioned that they approached Milwaukee with the intent to (1) say that they are only going with minor league pitchers (as to not give them a sneak peak), with the exception of Marshall, and (2) to give more at bats for regulars (thus the DH).

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 27, 2008 1:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

Bako with Dusty

Paul Bako has put together a new career for one that can't hit a lick... Kids wanting to make it the The Show should take a second look at that catching gear, and maybe spend a little time learning the game and what goes through pitchers head..... Good for him.....

by James031 on Mar 27, 2008 12:47 PM CDT 0 recs

wow

this will be the first game I've seen this year where the regulars are playing.....I actually get to see Fukudome!!!

by crazymountain on Mar 27, 2008 1:08 PM CDT 0 recs

Interesting Lineup

I really hope that we have a good game today. Looking forward to seeing Johnson. Although I wanted to see Pie... Is theie pitcher a lefty?

by fischisgod on Mar 27, 2008 1:11 PM CDT 0 recs

Gonna check out the view from...

...the new Harry Caray's for today's game. Stopped in there very briefly last week - it was an absolute zoo. I realize the NCAAs were going on, but was very surprised that they didn't have the Cubs game on at least one TV. Hopefully it'll be a little less crowded today. Stop by if you're in the hood - look for the hefty white guy wearing an Indians hat...

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 27, 2008 1:23 PM CDT 0 recs

Ballhawk?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 27, 2008 1:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ha! Nice try, but I never wore my socks up high like that.

How about this one instead...

Heeeeyyyyyy!!! Now there's a nice lookin' young fellow...

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 27, 2008 6:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

yeah...

but who's the guy with the hat? :P

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on Mar 27, 2008 8:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

Anyone know if

the Cubbies season opener will be on mlb.tv?

by lilkimmer77 on Mar 27, 2008 1:31 PM CDT 0 recs

As a regular season game...

yes, as should all the rest of the "televised" games the rest of the year.

Unless it's a "national blackout" game on ESPN/FOX...which is every single yankees and red sox game I think. Or if you live within an ICBM's range of a major league ballpark. Or your house/apt # is divisible by the square root of the result of the sum of the two teams' uniforms #'s on the 40 man roster. Other than that, yeah, you'll get the game on mlb.tv

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 27, 2008 1:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

You and

your pictures just crack me up. Are you a stand up comic.?

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

by tucsoncubsfan on Mar 27, 2008 5:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

No...but are you looking to book someone?

I can fail at almost anything!

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 27, 2008 5:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Blech

I am home with the stomach flu, but at least I'll get to watch most of the Cubs game.

I'd suggest keeping your distance. :-P

Dave

by Dave in the basement on Mar 27, 2008 1:36 PM CDT 0 recs

uh oh - sounds like you have a bad case of Bleed Cubbie Blew...

n/t

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 27, 2008 6:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

Murton

We are going to regret not giving Murton a better chance.

by drodd on Mar 27, 2008 1:39 PM CDT 0 recs

Why?

I am a Murton fan BUT....he would be a great DH. He is a natural hitter. Regretting not giving Matt a "better chance" is a bit ridiculous, don'tch think? TO regret that, we would have to know just what would've happened if we kept him and that is an absolute impossibility unless you are omniscient. To have power like that would be nice, eh?

by crazymountain on Mar 27, 2008 1:49 PM CDT up 0 recs