2009 Dream Nearly Over For Some: Cubs 5, Padres 3

by Al Yellon on Mar 20, 2009 5:48 PM CDT in Chicago Cubs Recaps

Since the game ended reasonably early today, I had time to post this recap. The Cubs beat the Padres 5-3 this afternoon at Mesa, but the biggest news was kind of a throwaway line on the WGN radio broadcast:

The club will cut as many as 10 players by or on Monday. At last, we're going to get a better idea of how the 2009 bench and bullpen are going to be constituted.

One player who may not continue is Corey Koskie, who will make a decision on his future by tomorrow; apparently the fall he took diving for a ball yesterday, in his first spring start in a Cub uniform, took more out of him than anyone imagined at the time. If he does decide to hang it up, give the guy kudos for at least giving it another shot, and I wish him well. I hope he can continue, but understand under the circumstances if he can't.

If Koskie really can't continue, I'd expect Jim Hendry to investigate a deal; maybe the Maicer Izturis idea that I floated here a week or so ago could be investigated further. There's still a surplus in the bullpen, and guys like Chad Gaudin and Luis Vizcaino have to still be on the bubble. Angel Guzman helped his cause today by throwing well for two innings; maybe he's back in the mix for the middle inning role. Meanwhile, Kevin Hart probably pitched his way off the team today with two hit batters.

Emergency starter Mitch Atkins gave up a couple of unearned runs due to a Mike Fontenot error that otherwise would have ended the first inning; Padres first baseman Kyle Blanks smashed a two-run homer, giving San Diego their only runs. Reed Johnson matched that two-run shot later on for his first homer of the spring.

Tomorrow's game is again televised via CSN Chicago -- with the Sox announcers, fair warning, although Steve Stone's presence makes it at least intriguing for Cub fans to listen to. It'll also be on WGN radio, if you have one of those radio/TV sync boxes, you'll have a chance to try it out tomorrow.

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Word has it Koskie's absence is because he suffers "light headedness" due to concussions

it’s worrisome and I too hope he can continue

Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan

by Emelie on Mar 20, 2009 5:54 PM CDT reply actions

I also hope the best for Koskie

and it is sad to possibly be forced out before he wants to leave.

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

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 20, 2009 5:59 PM CDT reply actions

Concussions are scary business.

Hope he’s alright to live a healthy/productive life even if baseball is over.

Get better Koskie!!

The shortest distance between two points is under construction.

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 20, 2009 6:10 PM CDT reply actions

Koskie, Hart, Vizcaino, Gaudin, Patton and Guzman

Koskie deserves all the kudos for trying to come back. With the celebrity death from a simple bump on the head one cannot discount head injuries as being permanent or life threatening. For all we think we know about the science of human biology there still is so much more we don’t know.

This underscores the Cubs need to find a capable 3B and middle infielder who can occupy the 4th infielder role. Macier could serve many roles on this team, good speed on the bases, switch hitting, multiple defensive positions, can’t ask for much more, except possibly beat out Theriot for the starting SS.

Playing oneself onto a team is often done at this late time. Timing is critical and if Guzman showed or responded than he is in the mix. Gaudin was slated and needs to respond and make Vizcaino, Hart and Patton expendable. My guess is that it will be self-evident near March 31st.

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 20, 2009 6:13 PM CDT reply actions

and that

is why i wear a helmet when i ride a bike.

There's nothing wrong with this team that more pitching, more fielding and more hitting couldn't help......"--Bill Buckner

by laidbackliam on Mar 20, 2009 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions

good thinking

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 21, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions

Doesn't sound like there's any decision

for Koskie to make. He’s gone home after talking to the trainers. He’s had a good career and there’s no point in risking his health or his life.

by Josh Timmers on Mar 20, 2009 6:27 PM CDT reply actions

That is too bad

for Corey. I wish him the best.

by sue369 on Mar 20, 2009 6:43 PM CDT reply actions

I wonder if he might look into coaching or broadcasting

thoughts?

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

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 20, 2009 7:14 PM CDT reply actions

Well....

…. THAT decision could be “made” for him too. I had over a dozen violent vertigo attacks over a four month span four years ago, and ever since then, often myhead feels like it’s just a step away from going dizzy and light headed again into an attack. In my case, we THINK (because you never really know) it’s connected to the chronic sinusitis Ihave, so whenever I get that light headed feeling, I pop some sinus medicine and it helps some. My point is, there are some known things that can trigger it. like flying, and there are many unknowns that do as well. I’ve been awakened out of a sound sleep by vertigo attacks, because I bent over too soon and got that “head rush” feeling, and I’ve had them come on while I’m arguing in front of a judge. It doesn’t sound like vertigo is one of Koskie’s issues yet, but the sensations are the same, and unless you’ve experienced it and/or are convinced the light headedness is able to be managed, you really don’t want to do much of anything but sit there.

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Mar 21, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Should have phrased this differently..

“and unless you’ve experienced it and/or are convinced the light headedness is able to be managed, it’s hard to describe why you really don’t want to do much of anything but sit there.”

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Mar 21, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions

I hope he hangs it up

I would’ve been perfectly happy to have him as a backup at some point this year, but if things are serious, go home and take care of your kids, be with your kids. Baseball isn’t worth whatever positive time that can be spent with family. It sounds like he knows his priorities, based on the several articles that have come out about him.

by toonsterwu on Mar 20, 2009 7:15 PM CDT reply actions