Three Cub Spring Debuts And An Old Friend

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2009 8:20 AM CST in Game Photographs

Click on photos to open larger versions in new browser windows. All photos by Donna Wakefield

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Jake Fox isn't...

…paying attention in that last picture. He’s looking in the crowd while the pitch is being thrown.

by Cubs and Hawks fan on Feb 27, 2009 8:54 AM CST reply actions

He is anticipating where the right handed batter is going to foul off the pitch :)

by gocubsgo22 on Feb 27, 2009 9:03 AM CST up reply actions

Warm-up pitches?

Even the eyes in the crowd are looking every which way but toward the plate.

"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."

by flachimesa on Feb 27, 2009 9:09 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah, that'd be my guess...

… a Marmol warm-up toss.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2009 9:19 AM CST up reply actions

I believe you are correct sir (or madam)...

Marmol is almost certainly taking his warmup tosses. No infielder (especially a corner IF) would be stupid enough to not pay attention when a live pitch is being thrown. That’s a good way to get killed.

by SouthernCub on Feb 27, 2009 9:19 AM CST up reply actions

plus no visible 3rd base coach

so probably some warm-up pitches.

by cubbot on Feb 27, 2009 9:52 AM CST up reply actions

He's getting ready to toss the ball into the stands after warm-ups?

"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."

by flachimesa on Feb 27, 2009 9:11 AM CST up reply actions

Breaking news!

Erin Andrews was sighted in the stands along the first base line in yesterday’s Cubs-Brewers spring training matchup. Pictures to come.

My sig line is out for jury duty.

by daver on Feb 27, 2009 11:30 AM CST up reply actions

Good!

We need new pix.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2009 12:48 PM CST up reply actions

In my pre-coffee mind today, I actually thought to myself...

“When did Mark DeRosa learn to switch hit??”

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Feb 27, 2009 9:11 AM CST reply actions

it could be warm up pitches i suppose

but by the look of the pitch, it seems as if he’s throwing to a batter.

by Cubs and Hawks fan on Feb 27, 2009 9:16 AM CST reply actions

I'm pretty sure it's a warmup...

Further, I’m not sure how you could gauge the difference between a reliever’s warmup pitch and his actual in-game pitch based on a still shot of his motion.

But there’s no way a corner IF would be looking away during a live pitch. For one thing, it’s a good way to get benched. For another, it’d be INCREDIBLY dangerous.

by SouthernCub on Feb 27, 2009 9:22 AM CST up reply actions

Let me email Donna and ask her when she took the picture.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2009 9:28 AM CST up reply actions

Thanks Al...

If it IS a live pitch, then Fox is a moron. But judging by the crowd and Fox himself (I’d like to give him the benefit of the doubt), I’d guess it’s a warmup.

by SouthernCub on Feb 27, 2009 9:32 AM CST up reply actions

I agree.

I’ll post when I get confirmation.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2009 9:38 AM CST up reply actions

Don't the ushers/security stand at the bottom of steps during warmup then go back up during the inning?

Assuming the guy in the red shirt at the end of the steps is security, I’m saying this is between half-innings.

"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."

by flachimesa on Feb 27, 2009 9:44 AM CST up reply actions

Confirmed.

Received an email back from Donna confirming that the Marmol photo was of a warmup pitch.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 27, 2009 9:48 AM CST up reply actions

I'm glad we put that one to bed

Now, back to business….

"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."

by flachimesa on Feb 27, 2009 9:50 AM CST up reply actions

I see what you've done there.

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Feb 27, 2009 9:58 AM CST up reply actions

Is that your bedroom, flach?

Nice photoshop…haha

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Feb 27, 2009 9:58 AM CST up reply actions

It's so nice to see #21 on a Cubs player again

Hopefully Milton stays healthy and gives us some new memories for a great right fielder wearing that number. The last one didn’t work out so well at the end there.

by lswaidz on Feb 27, 2009 9:50 AM CST reply actions

Jason Marquis?

….and considering Gameboard has left his first game, all we have is hope for his health.

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Feb 27, 2009 9:56 AM CST up reply actions

yeah, I didn't read it right...

…..still in ST mode.

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Feb 27, 2009 9:56 AM CST up reply actions

Anyone else feel awkward seeing #7

without DeRo?

Opening Day 2009 can't come soon enough!

by TyCubsfan on Feb 27, 2009 9:59 AM CST reply actions

I thought the first one looked like EPat, so, yeah....

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Feb 27, 2009 10:00 AM CST up reply actions

Made me a little sad

Plus I was confused as to #7 being a lefty.

by dbaltman on Feb 27, 2009 11:14 AM CST up reply actions

Not long ago

was Lefty

Todd Walker

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 27, 2009 2:20 PM CST up reply actions

#7 not 1.

WTF is wrong with me today

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 27, 2009 2:21 PM CST up reply actions

What's Spring Training without Kerry Wood being injured?

So how long will the Indians keep him away from the baseball diamond in the Spring because of his bad back?

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Feb 27, 2009 9:59 AM CST reply actions

All I know is....

it’s so refreshing seeing and reading about baseball again, even if it’s still February. This was a very long winter, with mourning the ’08 team, and our lousy weather. Hope springs eternal.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Feb 27, 2009 11:25 AM CST reply actions