A Job Well Done: Cubs 6, A's 4

by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2009 4:46 PM CST in Chicago Cubs Recaps

This one felt real nice, even though listening to it via the A's MLB.com announcer was painful -- yes, he mentioned the World Series drought. I think any baseball broadcaster who brings that up again should be sent back to Broadcasting 101: "How To Broadcast Without Cliches".

Anyway, the Cubs beat the A's easily 6-4, leading from the bottom of the first inning's first pitch. That pitch was hit out of the park by Alfonso Soriano (off ex-Cub Sean Gallagher), one of three homers hit by Cubs today -- Jake Fox hit his second as he tried to make Lou and the brass notice that he's still around, and Aramis Ramirez slammed a three-run shot, his first of the year. (A-Ram's homer was off Jerry Blevins, who went to the A's in the Jason Kendall deal in 2007.) Temperatures in Mesa again hit 80 degrees, but the crowd of 6,520 was smallish (probably the non-marquee opponent and the day of the week) and the five-game average dropped to 8,752.

Sean Marshall looks great, doesn't he? Three perfect innings, one strikeout, and Marshall is making a real case to nail down the fifth spot in the rotation. Lou has said in the past that he'd like to have a pair of lefties in the bullpen, and maybe if Aaron Heilman does well enough this spring, he could rotate those two in and out of the rotation, using them as relievers in the interim, in order to avoid burning either one of them out -- I still worry about Marshall's endurance over the long season.

Other good performances today: scoreless innings from Kevin Gregg and Luis Vizcaino, and a walk and a pair of runs scored by Ryan Theriot. The A's made two throwing errors in the third inning, resulting in both Cub runs (on Fox's HR), accounting for the margin of victory.

Not-so-good: Andrew Cashner, who probably didn't have much of a chance to make the team anyway this year, got cuffed around and Neal Cotts had to bail him out. Esmailin Caridad, who will probably spend this year at Double-A, issued a hit and a walk, but nailed down the save.

The good news is that there are only a handful of games left in the spring that aren't available on some media outlet, either over-the-air radio, MLB Audio, or a TV outlet. Those games are: 3/10 vs. Sea, 3/12 vs. WBC, 3/13 vs. LAA (split squad), 3/19 vs. Sea, and 3/24 vs. Col. Here's the broadcast schedule for the rest of the spring:

3/4 vs. Cle: WGN Radio
3/4 vs. Sox:  WGN-TV
3/5 vs. Sox: WGN-TV, WSCR
3/6 vs. LA: WGN Radio
3/7 vs. Mil: WTMJ
3/8 vs. Tex: KRLD
3/9 vs. KC: KCSP
3/13 vs. Sea: KIRO
3/14 vs. LAA: WGN-TV, WGN Radio
3/15 vs. Ari: KTAR
3/16 vs. Mil: WGN Radio
3/17 vs. LA: MLB.com
3/18 vs. SF: MLB.com
3/20 vs. SD: WGN-TV, WGN Radio
3/21 vs. Sox: WGN-TV, MLBN, WGN Radio
3/22 vs. Sea: CSN Chicago
3/23 vs. Oak: MLB.com
3/26 vs. SF: MLBN, MLB.com
3/27 vs. Sox: WGN-TV, WSCR
3/28 vs. Col: WGN Radio
3/29 vs. Cle: WGN Radio
3/30 vs. KC: CSN Chicago, KCSP
3/31 vs. LAA: MLBN
4/1 vs. Oak: MLB.com
4/2 vs. Cle: WTAM
4/3 vs. NYY: MLBN
4/4 vs. NYY: CSN Chicago, WGN Radio

Tomorrow, there will be two games, as noted above: the Cubs make their first visit to the Indians' new complex at Goodyear (Chad Gaudin will face Carl Pavano) in a day game (2:05 CST) and the Cubs and White Sox will face off in Las Vegas at 9:05 CST (WGN-TV, Jeff Samardzija against John Danks). Len & Bob will be the broadcast team for both TV games from Vegas; I'm looking forward to seeing the game, it's been too long since a televised game. There will be two separate game threads tomorrow, one as usual in the afternoon, another for you late-night owls.

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Comments

Whoops, might want to proofread a bit more, Al.

That first link looks wrong.

Music here!

by znohitter on Mar 3, 2009 4:49 PM CST reply actions

Fixed.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2009 4:50 PM CST up reply actions

Milton is pleased as well

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

by ballhawk on Mar 3, 2009 4:51 PM CST reply actions

he's enormous

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 3, 2009 4:55 PM CST up reply actions

PEDs?

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

by ballhawk on Mar 3, 2009 5:00 PM CST up reply actions

Ked's

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 3, 2009 5:04 PM CST up reply actions

What's IN that shoe?

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 3, 2009 5:04 PM CST up reply actions

Buster Brown?

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

by ballhawk on Mar 3, 2009 5:14 PM CST up reply actions

And his dog Tie, too.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Mar 3, 2009 6:40 PM CST up reply actions

TWSS

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Mar 3, 2009 6:17 PM CST up reply actions

my first televised game of the season tomorrow

boy am I giddy!

#34: You'll be missed!

by Chanman25 on Mar 3, 2009 5:02 PM CST reply actions

Let's Play TWO!

Doubleheader day tomorrow. All-RIGHT!

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 3, 2009 5:04 PM CST reply actions

Fun game to listen to.

And remember folks:

Micah Hoffpaur = Erin Andrews

Aramis Ramirez = Jill Arrington

Our quest for total control of the Cubs offensive output via the power of babeage continues…

My sig line is out for jury duty.

by daver on Mar 3, 2009 5:18 PM CST reply actions

This is the second time I've seen you make a comment

on Marshall’s endurance. While usually I tend to take your word for it, I don’t see why you seem to think this. I remember him being on the DL at the beginning of the season in 07 but I don’t think he seems to be a health liability. I have always like Marshall and have thought he should be a starter, long before his nice start this spring. He was pretty damn good in 07 when he was receiving significant starting time. I still remember going to a Reds game in Cinci and telling my Reds friends, “don’t worry hes our 5th starter and Harang owns us”, until Harang was lit up and left after the first and Marshall was almost lights out, giving up 1 run, 1 hit, & 1 walk (i think). Anyways, I am getting off topic. I know he hasn’t logged over 120 innings or so but what makes you think he coulnt handle the load of a 5th starter? I dont like him in the pen because as a long man he isn’t used as much and he doesnt seem like a lefty specialist or typical bullpen guy.

by KButler on Mar 3, 2009 5:19 PM CST reply actions

A fifth starter, maybe, IF...

… he doesn’t necessarily make a start every fifth day. I’m not sure he could handle 200-220 innings, but 160? Sure.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2009 5:20 PM CST up reply actions

I like the idea of

“co-5th starters” injuries during the course of the year are inevitable. keeping both (3 w/shark?) heils & the martian stretched out &motivated is good for all comcerned, imo. plus lou will be able to take advantage of strategic match-ups, game by game.

by brian custer on Mar 3, 2009 5:37 PM CST up reply actions

Lighten up, Francis

The A’s announcer is playing to HIS fans, not to you. And A’s fans, who may see the Cubs once every three years in the regular season, might be amused.

You can’t get twitchy every time someone brings up 101. It’s the longest drought of its kind anywhere.

And I don’t blame fans of the Royals – 1985; Pirates – 1979; and A’s — 1989 for laughing about it.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Mar 3, 2009 7:03 PM CST reply actions

Last championship was at least a good twenty years for those teams

countries have been created and fallen in that time period. Their droughts are pretty long too. Plus they have crappy fanbases and mediocre at best teams, and besides Pittsburgh, both stadiums are crumbling..

At least we have a solid fanbase, great stadium, and you can truly appreciate a good game at Wrigley because the atmosphere is intense. Get memorable games like that at Kauffman, PNC, or whatever the hell the A’s stadium is named, nope…

#34: You'll be missed!

by Chanman25 on Mar 3, 2009 7:11 PM CST up reply actions

Crap like this irritates me

No one cares that we have a nice stadium. The Bulls won three championships in an absolute dump. The Celtics are arguably the best dynasty in any sport and they played in a hellhole.

It’s brick and steel, people.

I want a championship. I don’t care if Wrigley caves in and the Cubs have to play their home games at Waukegan High School.

I spit on your atmosphere. I want a ring.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Mar 3, 2009 9:06 PM CST up reply actions

geez, you make it seem like its a war, relax man

I want a ring as much as the next guy, but I also care about the atmosphere as well, I mean why not? Plus most Cubs games seem like playoffs games which is a great feeling.

Oh and its not just bricks and steal, there is also ivy as well, so…

#34: You'll be missed!

by Chanman25 on Mar 3, 2009 9:10 PM CST up reply actions

Careful about that spit...

….there’s a wind blowing in from the lake right in your face.

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

by BeerCub on Mar 3, 2009 11:37 PM CST up reply actions

just wanted to point out

you do not get a ring if/when they win.

if the atmosphere goes to shit, then ticket sales lessen, meaning less money for payroll, meaning we become a big market version of the Pirates. Half the fun of going to Wrigley Field is that it is not like ANY other sports venue. I have tried to explain it to people here in Texas, and have figured that the best way to explain it is “going to Wrigley to see the Cubs play, is like watching a game with 30,000 of the best friends you never knew you had”

Wrigley is the best and worst asset the Cubs have. They do not need to field a winning team to sell out and make money. Seeing a game at Wrigley is actually on many personal lists of “things a man must do before he dies”. I agree with the “win wherever we play” thought process, but Wrigley is as much a part of the Cubs tradition as the bricks and ivy, the bleachers, 7th inning stretch, manual scoreboard, throwing the HR ball back, and even the fans are.

and for dynasties to want to be like, here are the four every team should be trying to model themselves like based on winning traditions alone:

Steelers
Red Wings
Celtics
Yankees

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

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 4, 2009 8:10 AM CST up reply actions

The Pirates have a wonderful new facility

And still field a joke of a team.

People will sit in PortaPotties if they are watching a winner. Three Rivers Stadium was nothing special. Yankee Stadium may have been glorious in Babe and Joe D’s time, but in the 90s was in a war zone of a neighborhood and always smelled faintly of urine. Boston Garden was a dump.

Those stadiums were made “mystical” because the team wins. Had Red Auerbach and Bill Russell never existed, Boston Garden is torn down decades ago.

Wrigley and Fenway have been the exceptions because of goofy quirks like ivy and big green walls. But now, with so many options available, I think that will even pass.

And let’s not yammer on about the Cubs’ tradition and still say announcers shouldn’t mention the 101-year drought.

You get to be traditional or you get to forget the bad past. You can’t do both.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Mar 4, 2009 8:54 AM CST up reply actions

Boston Garden

also had some great NHL teams you are discounting with Bobby Orr for prime example.

Cub traditions and Wrigley Field are why the Cubs can price tickets at the obscene prices and sell out (or close to it). Without these ticket prices we cannot pay the payroll and we become a big market version of the Pirates (you seemed to misunderstand what I was saying, not sure if I worded it bad or not).

I do not like hearing announcers mention the 101 years, but that is part of our history and will follow us until we win, so I cannot blame any journalist or announcer for beating that dead horse. Lazy or not, they are not reporting anything that is false (ahem Joe Morgan and his Banks Basket bs comes to mind).

I understand and I kinda agree that a new stadium does not change our history, but i also understand why so many do not want to see Wrigley replaced, and instead maintained better and fixed up where needed.

But I do disagree that people do not care that we have a nice stadium, since Wrigley Field is a tourist trap for sports fanatics all over America. You never hear people say “man I got to see a game as US Cell” but you hear baseball fans (non Cub fans and in some cases non baseball fans, just pure sports junkies who respect the history it has) say all the time “I never been to Wrigley, and I really want to catch a game there”

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

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 4, 2009 9:50 AM CST up reply actions

Actually, you can do both.

Wrigley can be renovated to have modern amenities AND you can spend the money to have a winning team. There’s no reason you can’t have both.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 4, 2009 12:30 PM CST up reply actions

Fine, but don't whine about announcers from other teams

The 101 is there. It’s an easy story. It will ALWAYS be an easy story.

Life’s too short.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Mar 4, 2009 2:21 PM CST up reply actions

That's exactly the point, though.

It’s TOO easy a story. It screams out “lazy broadcaster”. I enjoy listening to broadcasters who do their homework and can add something to the broadcast.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 4, 2009 2:57 PM CST up reply actions