One Step Closer To Opening Day: Cubs 2, Japan 3

by Al on Mar 12, 2009 6:19 PM CDT in Recaps Comment 56 comments

Season tickets (click on the image above to open a larger version in a new browser window) arrived today, and that's just one more sign that spring and Opening Day are getting closer -- the home opener is one month from tomorrow. They sent out the tickets in a different format this year, as you can probably tell from the image -- in previous years, you got one book for each ticket in your account. This year, you get one book with all the tickets -- according to the note from the Cubs, this is supposed to make it "easier" than tearing out, say, one ticket from four books if you had four tickets. I'm not sure I see how this is any sort of great advantage, and since for most of us who are bleacher season ticket holders, we share a season ticket with someone who doesn't necessarily come with us to the game, but instead meets us there, this is going to require me to tear every single ticket out of the book so I can deliver them to that person.

In addition to the four pictures on the tickets shown, the two other images (the tickets come in pages of six) are of the Billy Williams and Ryne Sandberg flags, and the 400-foot sign in CF.

Oh, well. The Cubs played Japan's WBC team today and lost 3-2, despite starting what was mostly a regular lineup, except for Paul Bako (I consider Reed Johnson a semi-regular, while Bako is a backup). And Bako's passed ball allowed Japan to score their second run of the game. Carlos Zambrano, otherwise, threw pretty well, allowing three hits, one earned run, and only one walk in his four innings, striking out two, and also striking out in both of his plate appearances. There was no indication on Gameday whether he broke any bats over his leg or not. Meanwhile, Bako, at least, walked twice and singled in the first Cubs run.

The Cubs bullpen, today consisting of Angel Guzman, David Patton, Randy Wells, Kevin Gregg and Neal Cotts, was outstanding, allowing Japan only three hits over the last five innings. Patton's two walks helped lead to Japan's third and final run of the day. This is a good sign, and I was especially pleased to see Guzman settle down. Patton is likely going to be returned to the Rockies. He might be worth keeping around, but the Cubs already have a pretty full bullpen at Iowa, and unless they can unload someone else (Say, think the Rockies would take Luis Vizcaino back?), I think this Rule 5 pick is going to wind up being meaningless.

Micah Hoffpauir had yet another Erin Andrews-induced extra-base hit (today, a double). I realize this is something we just kind of started here for fun, but it's weird how nearly every time an EA photo is posted in the game thread, he hits. If only he could play third base. Two ninth-inning doubles (by Jake Fox and So Taguchi) closed the lead to 3-2 and brought Micah to the plate, but EA's powers only go so far. Mighty Micah struck out.

Kosuke Fukudome was 1-for-4, a sixth-inning RBI single after a pair of walks. He didn't walk at all -- not a good sign, but neither did he strike out, and that is a good sign. One game doesn't make for much analysis (last night vs. the Giants he was also 1-for-4, with a walk and a K, and now he's off with the Japanese team to San Diego for round two of the WBC.

Today's attendance of 6,591 -- less than I'd have expected brought the spring total so far to 83,340, an average of 9,260, which should go up this weekend with the Angels at Mesa on Saturday. Tomorrow is the final split-squad day of the spring season -- Sean Marshall will pitch in Mesa against the Mariners, and Chad Gaudin faces the Angels at Tempe. Both games will be available via MLB Audio, with the announcers from the Mariners and Angels flagship stations. How do we decide which game to listen to? Or follow one on audio and the other on Gameday?

Decisions, decisions. And you thought Lou had it tough. Until tomorrow.

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Comments

I like the designs of the tickets this year!

cubs = love

by cubs ftw on Mar 12, 2009 6:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The things I'd do to get those tickets in the mail...

Al, you must feel like a kid on Xmas. Enjoy each and every single minute you’re in the park.

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

by chilango2 on Mar 12, 2009 6:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks!

I will! And off to spring training soon!

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

by Al on Mar 12, 2009 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You wrote the recap before the game ended again :)

“Meanwhile, Bako, at least, walked twice and singled in the only Cubs run” – we scored in the 9th as well didn’t we?

I’m very jealous of your season tickets. i am in Colorado and a new father so won’t be getting to any games except for the Rockies / Cubs games in Denver at the end of the season — I’ll take my little bundle of joy along with me too.

If the Cubs were an international soccer team they'd be called Scotland.

by mrtobby on Mar 12, 2009 6:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Caught me again!

I went and changed the score, but not that sentence. I’ll fix it.

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

by Al on Mar 12, 2009 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unfair

I have not received my Cubs season tickets yet. I did, however, receive my Nationals season tickets today.

The inequity of the situation should be readily apparent.

by 08Cubs on Mar 12, 2009 7:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I Suppose

I could contribute this….

by 08Cubs on Mar 12, 2009 9:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Nats put the racing presidents on the ticket?

Weird.

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

by Al on Mar 13, 2009 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Joel Hanrahan must not be marketable enough...

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Mar 13, 2009 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

printed per Dunn signing

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

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 13, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That IS Dunn (under the big head)...

Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (Now #12,966 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list- UP from 13,031...WHOO HOO!)

by Zeke on Mar 13, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LMAO

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

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 13, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought

that WAS Dunn’s head.

"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 Mar 13, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another sign the season is approaching

An email my father received today from the Cubs:

Dear Season Ticket Holder,

The Chicago Cubs are pleased to inform you that we have just received confirmation from the New York Yankees regarding purchasing opportunities for the first ever games at the New Yankee Stadium featuring the Chicago Cubs vs. the New York Yankees on Friday, April 3 at 7:05 EST and Saturday, April 4 at 1:05 EST.

The Yankees have set aside a limited number of tickets for both games. The tickets will range in price from $20-$45. Due to the close proximity of this offer with the actual game dates, we will need to obtain your response, if interested, by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16th.

Orders will be filled starting with the available $45 tickets. All tickets will be sold on a first come – first served basis. There will be a purchase limit of 6 tickets total per season ticket account. A $5 postage and handling charge will be added to all completed orders. If your order is filled successfully, the tickets will be mailed to you at the address you submit.

If you’d like to take part in this special offer, please reply back to this email (there will be no phone sales) no later than 5:00 P.M. on 3/16 with the following information [a form follows]:

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Mar 12, 2009 7:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I was just about to post this myself.

I got one too. Since I’m going to Arizona, I won’t be at these games, but glad that the Cubs got some opportunity for Cubs fans to go if they want to.

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

by Al on Mar 12, 2009 7:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did you get an email from Fedex about your tickets arriving?

In the past I have, but not so far this year.

by cubswin on Mar 12, 2009 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I did, and got the tickets today.

Are you sure you have your correct email address on file with the Cubs?

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

by Al on Mar 12, 2009 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't get the email yet

but normally it seems to come in waves and some years I’ve been in the first batch and a few times it’s taken a little extra time.

by cubbot on Mar 12, 2009 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes the email address is correct.

I got the offer for the Yankee tickets today. When did you get the email?

by cubswin on Mar 12, 2009 8:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I got the season ticket email on Monday...

… and the Yankee ticket offer today. So maybe yours is in a later batch.

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

by Al on Mar 12, 2009 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A step closer

I would like an eye witness assessment of the club.

Fontenot by all Box accounts has earned a mostly starting spot at 2B
Is there a sighting of Koskie? Is he dizzy or stable?
Is big Z bigger, stronger and using his legs like Rothschild says is his mechanical misgivings?
Did #1 play CF?
Is Koyie actually batting over .300?
How did Guzman command the plate today, is he making the $4M man expendable?

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

by Ivy Walls on Mar 12, 2009 7:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Honesty compels me to say,

that this Erin Andrews continues to impress the heck out of me.

Hey Lou, we're long overdue.

by deadcatbounce on Mar 12, 2009 8:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

EA is happy that you're impressed

"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Jim Leyland

by flachimesa on Mar 12, 2009 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL...

That’s good to know.

Hey Lou, we're long overdue.

by deadcatbounce on Mar 13, 2009 8:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am one of the few season ticket holders

Who won’t have to go far to see the Cubs/Yankee games if I get tickets. But I am nervous about my season tickets as
I leave town on Tuesday.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 12, 2009 9:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Are you putting in for 2, 4 or 6 Cubs at Yanks?

"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Jim Leyland

by flachimesa on Mar 12, 2009 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

4

Yes I know you are looking. If I get in 3 are taken I might have one to spare.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 13, 2009 12:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

New format doesn't seem to be any more work

Never had the tix until now and technically they’re not mine, I’m just paying for them.

But since I’m sharing the tickets with 5 others and we’ve already agreed on the dates, I’ll still have to tear out each and every ticket from one single book rather than 4 books.

This is the first time I’ve heard of this for ST’s. For 20 years my Blackhawks season tickets were 1 book for 1 seat and same went for the Rush (RIP AFL?).

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Mar 13, 2009 7:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The single book makes no sense.

Even if, say, all four people sharing four tickets go together to the game — wouldn’t each person want their own book?

And many season tickets are shared by people, like you, who split them up based on various dates, or in the case of bleacher season holders, by people who don’t travel together to the game.

Whoever had this idea: it’s a bad one.

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

by Al on Mar 13, 2009 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This reminds me of the scene in "Fever Pitch"

where the Jimmy Fallon character runs out barefoot into the snowy street to meet the delivery man to get his season ticket package for the Red Sox. Upon opening them, he takes a deep breath, sniffing in the aroma.

Now confess Al, do YOU smell your tickets when you first open them?

Go Green! Go White! GO STATE! (Now #12,966 on the Cubs season ticket waiting list- UP from 13,031...WHOO HOO!)

by Zeke on Mar 13, 2009 8:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Um...

…. no.

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

by Al on Mar 13, 2009 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The all smell the same after so many years

Now World Series tickets would smell sweet! And actually using them would be sweeter.

"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Jim Leyland

by flachimesa on Mar 13, 2009 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sigh.

I’ve had plenty of Cubs World Series tickets in my hands, from years they made the playoffs and from other years they didn’t and issued the tickets anyway:

1984, 1989, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008.

Haven’t gotten to use a single one of them.

This year.

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

by Al on Mar 13, 2009 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sad.

Here’s to using them this year!

Out of curiosity how soon do they offer WS tickets? A couple of those years you mentioned it doesn’t seem like printing them would have made sense.

by Tangled Up In Blue on Mar 13, 2009 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It depends on the year.

Usually, any team contending (that definition can change from year to year) around Labor Day gets permission to print playoff tickets. The 1995 team is the only one that really didn’t qualify for that definition. IIRC we didn’t pay for those — they had printed them and sent them to us as a “souvenir”.

The other non playoff years — 2001 and 2004 — I do recall paying for the tickets and receiving them.

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

by Al on Mar 13, 2009 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good to know.

I always wonderd how that worked. 1995 jumped out immediatley when I looked at the list above.

by Tangled Up In Blue on Mar 13, 2009 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I need the season to start soon.

www.wrigleyexpansion.com

by drodd on Mar 13, 2009 9:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We all do.

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

by Al on Mar 13, 2009 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Taguchi

I know there’s been some discussion here in the past about So Taguchi and his place on this year’s team, but I was wondering how feasible is it that he would accept a trip to Iowa to start the season?

Even though we have an abudance of OF, IMHO he would be a great insurance piece to have. He’s continuing to prove that he has something left in the tank.

by Tangled Up In Blue on Mar 13, 2009 9:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Depends on other offers

If another team has an opening on their Major League roster and Taguchi thinks he can fill that, I’m sure he would ask the Cubs for his release rather than going to Iowa. Otherwise, I could see him heading to Des Moines and coming up in case of injury.

He has been a pleasant surprise this spring, so it’d be nice if the Cubs could keep him around, even in Triple-A.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Mar 13, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

He’s been a useful spare part for several good teams. I doubt there’s a place for him on the Opening Day roster, but he seems in good shape, has produced so far, and at age 40 I can’t imagine there would be too many other offers.

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

by Al on Mar 13, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dave Kaplan's nonsense

Yesterday on the drive home I was listening to WGN and he reported that Fukudome was 0 for 2, then said “There’s a big surprise.”

Last season he ripped on Mark Grace for saying there was extra pressure on the Cubs players, and he ripped on fans for not staying up to see the entirety of west coast late night games.

What is this guy’s deal? I mean, it’s nice to hear some criticism coming from a WGN guy, but his criticism is mostly mean, with no constructive value.

by dr stabbingworth on Mar 13, 2009 9:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If it's nonsense (which it is) as you say

Just ignore it. By posting that nonsense aren’t we giving that show an unnecessary promotion?

by cubsnlinux on Mar 13, 2009 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mean-spirited gets ratings

"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Jim Leyland

by flachimesa on Mar 13, 2009 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unfortunate, but true.

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

by Al on Mar 13, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

(Joking) West Coast Late Night Games

(Joking) You mean with your work schedule that you are one of those horrible Cubs fans that doesn’t stay up to see the end of late night west coast games. Shame on you!

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Mar 13, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

I already hardly get any sleep. That’s the one concession I make — not staying up till the end of West Coast night games. Let Kaplan get up at 3:30 am every day and see how he can do it.

Based on this year’s schedule I’ll miss the end of seven games.

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

by Al on Mar 13, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Even here at BCB, the insane drivel gets lots of attention

For example, Worf, BLou, DrCrawdad are often controversial posters. Their comments get a reaction.

"I knew we were in for a long season when we lined up for the national anthem on opening day and one of my players said, 'Every time I hear that song I have a bad game.'" - Jim Leyland

by flachimesa on Mar 13, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about me?

I am as racy as the next poster…………..

"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on Mar 13, 2009 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

only if the next poster is me...

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

by ballhawk on Mar 13, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

oops - I thought you said "racier than the next poster"

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

by ballhawk on Mar 13, 2009 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

as long as you're not racist we're all happy :-D

but you can be raciest if you want

It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so. -- Mark Twain

by Emelie on Mar 13, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I knew

that did not look correct. The one time I do not spellcheck.

"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on Mar 13, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dave Kraplan's Kubbie Klan...

… I heard him last night as I was driving. Talk about “insane drivel.” Kraplan had THE Hawk on for a relatively interesting interview. Then Kraplan and the Kubbie Klan started spewing the stereotypes and smears of Sox fans. Par for the course, Kraplan preceded his “insane drivel” by saying how he loves the Cubbies but does NOT hate the Sox.

“I don’t hate the Sox, nor am I concerned with them, but I’m more than willing to spew smears and then talk about the Sox and Sox fans for 2 hours…” – Dave Kraplan

by DrCrawdad on Mar 13, 2009 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why did you listen to it then?

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 13, 2009 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why do ...

… Cubbie fans here listen to THE Hawk? All one has to do is mention the name, THE Hawk, and the bitchfest begins here. You’d think they were forced to listen to him and that mute was not an option on TV.

I do not regularly listen to Dave Kraplan. I was driving Southeast and his show was better than my kids CDs, but only marginally.

I did turn it off though when my wife (who was raised by a Cubbie fan) said she had heard enough of Kraplan and his klans’ ugly stereotypes and smears.

by DrCrawdad on Mar 13, 2009 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs