The End Of A Spring Training Era: Cubs vs. Diamondbacks at Tucson, Thursday 3/25, 3:05 CT
by Al Yellon on Mar 25, 2010 11:00 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
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PrintThis is the 64th consecutive year that one or more major league baseball teams has trained in Tucson, Arizona. The Cleveland Indians moved there in 1947, and when they left for Florida after the 1992 season, the Colorado Rockies took over their training base at Hi Corbett Field.
The Rockies were joined by the White Sox and Diamondbacks in 1998 at Tucson Electric Park. When the White Sox left Tucson last year, the other two teams both had an option to leave if there were only two teams remaining in Tucson. They opted to exercise that option and the D'backs and Rox will train in this spiffy new complex on native American land just east of Scottsdale starting in 2011. Next year, all 15 teams training in Arizona will be located in the Phoenix metro area.
The last spring training game in Tucson will be at Hi Corbett on March 31 between the Rockies and Diamondbacks. However, today is the Cubs' final trip to Tucson. A salute from BCB to the end of a long spring training era.
I'm not making this final Cubs trip to Tucson. (Let's hope the team's trip goes better than last week, when their bus broke down.) Instead, I'm going to head to Fitch Park later today to watch some of the Cubs minor leaguers in action, and will post about that this evening.
Tom Gorzelanny will start today's game for the Cubs. This Sun-Times article says Gorz likely has a spot in the rotation -- I'd give that to Sean Marshall. The Diamondbacks will start Dan Haren.
Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today. As noted earlier this week in Carrie Muskat's blog, you can listen to the game today free via MLB Audio:
Fans can listen to live streaming play-by-play ... through Thursday, free of charge, via cubs.com. Mick Gillespie, voice of the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, will call the action.
To access the webcast, fans need to visit cubs.com and select "Listen to Gameday Audio" from the "Audio and Video" link at the top of the page.
As usual, the first pitch thread will post at 3 pm CDT, and the overflow thread at 4:15 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Caption: "Is this how you do that Twitter thing? Hello?"
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
by Clutch16 on Mar 25, 2010 11:09 AM CDT reply actions 13 recs
LOL
"Nady and his weak beard steps in"--Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2010 9:53 PM CST reply actions
by cooliogirl47 on Mar 25, 2010 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
LOL and Rec'd
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
rec as clutch16 literary had me LOL
"I cherish this dream I had as a little kid to play baseball,'' Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 25, 2010 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions
hahahaha
one of the few captions ive read here that actually made me laugh my ass off. strong work Clutch16.
"HEY KID! I CAN SEE YOU!
GET OFFA MY LAWN!"
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 25, 2010 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions
excellent!
Lou + Technology = oil + water
"...to the home of the brave, the land of the free, and the dooooooooormat of the National League." -Steve Goodman
Look, I can't hear the birdie...
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
Listened to Mick Gillespie the past couple of days
He’s decent and obviously knows the youngsters in the system fairly well. The only problem with the broadcasts is that the audio feed is very, very quiet. Even with all volumes topped out, I can still barely hear the call. Ran it through my stereo to try and get more volume, and topped that out trying to hear it in the next room.
Beware this option if you’re in a noisy environment.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
He'll get to watch
Starlin Castro, it appears. SC is no longer on AzPhil’s list of Iowa assignees. I’m happy.
http://www.thecubreporter.com/2010/03/24/wells-and-ramirez-lead-iowa-cubs-victory
That's actually surprising.
I figured Castro would go to Iowa. Who’s going to be the SS there, anyway?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Barney would be my guess.
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
"Yeah, look just get me a lefty with power and a setup guy."
“Wait, what the hell do you mean you only do pizza? In that case get me 3 larges, with everything… how am I gonna pay? Look, what the hell do you want me to do here?”
What is a horse shoe? What does a horse shoe do? Are there any horse socks? Is anybody listening to me?
by lswaidz on Mar 25, 2010 11:31 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Go Arizona Wildcats!
That will be Tucson’s main March baseball team from here on out.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
Maybe they can teach the animals
in their really cool zoo to play
Caption:
Dammit, Otis! You forgot to pick me up a razor and some shaving cream today!!
"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004
by ctcoff99 on Mar 25, 2010 11:38 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
"How does that Rule 5 thingie work again?"
Caption
by timh815 on Mar 25, 2010 11:40 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I dunno about you
But the GF requested cinnamon rolls – I suppose I could get some dough rising.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
and making me feel a tad guilty as I have grocery shopping to do yet
and I am here on BCB
"I cherish this dream I had as a little kid to play baseball,'' Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 25, 2010 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Did that yesterday
Had to hit the yuppie grocery store to find semolina, though. Hopefully the pasta will make up for the price.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Whole Foods? Or different yuppie grocery store?
"I cherish this dream I had as a little kid to play baseball,'' Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 25, 2010 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions
The yuppie version of one of the local chains
Whole Paycheck has yet to be seen in these climes.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Not a fan of Whole Foods
Too yuppie for my taste
"I cherish this dream I had as a little kid to play baseball,'' Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 25, 2010 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions
It's a pretty despicable premise of a retail store, I agree.
Their prices are outrageous and their products are not great. However, my wife disagrees with me and I get stuck with “organic” crap and “gluten-free” junk every week.
We're glad you're here
Unfortunately, you can’t eat us :(
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
by Musicdude10 on Mar 25, 2010 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions
You'd think so, huh?
The dirty little secret is that I really enjoy baking. What I want is a commercial oven and some bakers’ racks, but that’s not gonna happen unless I get a gig.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Nothing wrong with that
Chicks dig it :)
"I cherish this dream I had as a little kid to play baseball,'' Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 25, 2010 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Well, the first batch of dough didn't work
It ended up too wet and there wasn’t anything I could do about it, so I’ve got a second batch of dough rising.
Oh, yeah – and some fresh, homemade bread, too:
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Bristol resumes their love affair with
the Mets in ten minutes
Somebody loves the Mets?
Besides their own mothers? Weird.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
It's there warm up for All East Baseball Coverage
There are days when not having cable/dish isn’t a bad thing :)
"I cherish this dream I had as a little kid to play baseball,'' Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 25, 2010 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Eventful Hi Corbett Trip last week
Passed the bus (plenty of cell phones going) and watched a semi trailer 15 car lengths ahead of with a full load of hay swerved and tried to get the trailer to go hi-side on the Interstate (didn’t go over though, and the driver bounced the landing). Never knew it before, but semi wheels spin a little wobbly when they are in the air.
Liked the place a lot – nice plate of food, free parking right up front and even though there was only one road going in and out – we got out faster than the other places we went to…which was odd.
Wanted to get to Electric Park, but good riddance…let em all be in Phoenix…
Rich Hill will win a Cy Young before Prior and Wood...
Interesting story....
… but your signature is probably never going to happen…
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Caption:
“Look, what did you want me to do? I don’t know how to put the best Cubs players in!”
I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 25, 2010 12:09 PM CDT reply actions
Interesting story
in the local paper the other day about how segregation/racism in Florida played a role in Bill Veeck’s decision to move the Indian’s Spring Training to Arizona in 1947.
But, the Indians needed another team to play, so Veeck started working on his friend Horace Stoneham, the owner of the NY Giants. Eventually it was agreed the Giants would move to Phoenix and the Indians to Tucson and the Cactus League was born.
In 1951, Stoneham and Del Webb, an Arizona land developer who owned the Yankees, agreed to swap ST sites for one year…so the Yankees trained in Phoenix that year. Webb convinced Phillip Wrigley to bring the Cubs over from Catalina for some exhibition games. While here, Webb arranged for the Cubs to meet with Mesa rancher Dwight Patterson and Patterson showed Director of Player Personnel Wid Matthews and manager Frankie Frisch around Mesa, including Rendezvous Park, and the Cubs immediately decided to move their Spring Training to Mesa beginning in 1952. And with the exception of 1966, the Cubs have trained in Arizona ever since.
So, in a strange way, the Yankees are responsible for the Cubs training in Mesa and racism in Florida was part of the reason that the Cactus League was formed in the first place.
The Giants....
…. also had several black players in that era, so it made sense for them to train in a place where there was less segregation.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Caption: "Yes. I want Prime Rib and Baked Potato again."
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
No - it's a reference to Lou's first response to Twitter
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Mar 25, 2010 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions
I love Lou's response. It's hilarious and insightful.
"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver
by RiskyBusiness on Mar 25, 2010 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Love that.
Leave it to Lou to compare social networking tools, to food. It’s like, “Nah, I’m not really a Ford or Chevy guy. I’m a t-shirt and jeans.”
"What the hell, let's review it." - Dale Tallon
"They are!" - Pat Foley
"What a farce." - Dale Tallon
Caption
“Yes Ron, it’s Soriano out there. For the fifth time today, it’s Soriano.”
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
by Musicdude10 on Mar 25, 2010 12:28 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I remember the Padres training in Yuma, and the Angels in Palm Springs
Visiting teams might spend 2 days in Yuma (at Cali/MX borders), then another 2 in Palm Springs before returning to Phoenix. Nobody misses that, except for residents of Yuma and Palm Springs
And Reggie Jackson
he was quoted as saying “My favorite Spring Training site was Palm Springs, when I was with the Angels. It was a small park and a lot of the California girls came out, and they were even better than the good looking women in Florida. That was a great, great place.”
Everyone has their own perspective.
Caption:
“Milton!? How the heck did you get this number!? From who!? Scott Eyre!? Never heard of him.”
"What the hell, let's review it." - Dale Tallon
"They are!" - Pat Foley
"What a farce." - Dale Tallon
by HawkVision on Mar 25, 2010 12:46 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
"I know a Steve Eyre.."
"The roar from the crowd really fired me up," Burish said. "In warmups there were a lot of signs. One said 'Burish, my grandma is pregnant.' I don't know what that means. I skated by it and said, 'it's not mine.' "
by jesus christos on Mar 25, 2010 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Ha! Exactly.
"What the hell, let's review it." - Dale Tallon
"They are!" - Pat Foley
"What a farce." - Dale Tallon
I don't know any Ned!
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
by Musicdude10 on Mar 26, 2010 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Apparently, DLee fell down a chair and is getting treatment for a sore back.
He would be ready to play tomorrow.
someone just post fanshot on it
"I cherish this dream I had as a little kid to play baseball,'' Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 25, 2010 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions
I click!
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 25, 2010 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions
He was eating... apparently the chair broke out from under him.
Sounds like sabotage to me!
Caption:
“I said 2 with pepperoni and 1 with mushroom, not 1 with pepperoni. Dammit can’t you guys get anything right”
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Mar 25, 2010 1:39 PM CDT reply actions
Caption
“Who is Kanye West, and why does that piece of **** think he’s like him?”
Caption...
…“that’s right, reservation for 4 at 7:30 under Piniella at my usual table. Now look, let’s make sure you don’t run out of Vodka this time.”
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Who are the other 3?
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
Sinatro 1, 2, and 3
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
by Musicdude10 on Mar 26, 2010 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Here is an ESPN Page Two
piece on “saying goodbye to Hi Corbett Field”.
Toward the end he takes some shots at the Cubs.
What else is new?
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
Caption
“What do you mean I am too late to vote for American Idol?”
by MangoCub on Mar 25, 2010 2:36 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Nice
"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck
by Musicdude10 on Mar 26, 2010 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Anyone see the lineups?
Are there enough runs left over from yesterdays onslaught?
I'm not sure. If we need some extra runs, I think I could spare a few.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
Al, I like how picked watching Lilly and minor leaguers..
Over watching the rest of the team. Either you really do hate traffic, or you’re just making sure that no one questions your Piety to Father Ted (or you’re a savvy journalist who knows that how Lilly pitches and how ready he is to go is an important ? for this team)
by DisCUBbobulated on Mar 25, 2010 2:55 PM CDT reply actions
could be or it could be that he just wanted to do something different :)
"I cherish this dream I had as a little kid to play baseball,'' Ted Lilly
by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 25, 2010 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions
The latter.
It really does take three hours to get back from Tucson in rush hour. Not interested.
Unfortunately, Lilly won’t pitch at Fitch till Friday.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I somebody wants to do PbP, I won't be...
Have to do some other stuff this evening, but will be listening
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
I can't either. I'd love to do it, but I have a giant project I'd like to work on.
Just a hint, you, my fellow BCBers, might get to see the project when it is completed. If I can, I will post it in a fanpost.
Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.
Caption
Look; This must need new blades I can’t get it to cut thru this beard at all.
Caption
Did I really say we needed to be more left handed last year?
by Cubsfan Waveland on Mar 25, 2010 11:05 PM CDT reply actions
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