Bleacher Reconstruction & Game Update - March 2

by Al Yellon on Mar 2, 2006 5:09 PM CST in 2005-06 Bleacher Reconstruction Project

Cubs win!

And so what, really. The Cubs beat the A's 8-7 today. That's meaningless, because the seven runs (and three HR) were off Bryan Corey, who has absolutely zero chance of making the major league squad. And even the winning run was generated by people (Dopirak, Pagan, Reyes) who won't be in the majors this year.

Mike Wuertz threw a scoreless ninth for the win. That's good. Felix Pie hit a triple. That's good. Carlos Zambrano threw two scoreless innings and now heads off to the WBC. Attendance was 7,717 -- rather small by Ho Ho Kam standards over the last few years.

And I wasn't listening during the seven-run A's fifth inning. This goes along with what I wrote three years ago about me not listening to spring training games on the radio, resulting in wins. We'll see if tomorrow's game is different, as there is no WGN broadcast.

About the bleachers, they will open five weeks from tomorrow... I sure hope they're done!

Actually, given some nice weather the next few weeks, they should be done, although the entranceway hasn't been started, the sidewalk areas are still mud, and as you can see in the last photo, there are no benches in yet.

For a different perspective, I decided it was worth $1.75 to go up to the Addison L stop to take a photo... you can't see much from there, but you can see that there have not yet been any benches installed.

Top: workman placing plastic sheeting over new wall; back fences behind both seats and walkway; closeup of wall on Waveland; another view of wall on Waveland

Middle: closeup of gap in wall in photo above; this is where the entrance will be; wall on Sheffield; work on Sheffield wall (location: south of previous photo)

Bottom: another view of work on Sheffield wall; wider view of entire structure; view behind CF to where "private box" will be; view of construction from Addison L stop (note: LF padding still not replaced)

Photos by Al

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I thought I read somewhere Z pitched 3 innings

but i cant find a box score anywhere

by Ienpw @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Mar 2, 2006 5:20 PM CST reply actions

yes, Z pitched 3

the third inning was a quick 1-2-3. not sure how many pitches in all. probably just the right amount.

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 2, 2006 5:35 PM CST up reply actions

You guys are right...

... I had shut it off for a while after the 2nd, figuring Z wouldn't go any further.

The link on the main page of this post will give you a boxscore.

Other than Bryan Corey, the rest of the staff gave up three hits, four walks and no runs.

by Al Yellon on Mar 2, 2006 6:36 PM CST up reply actions

Ballhawks

from looking at the railing, I don't think that the ballhawks will have anything to worry about. I'm no expert, nor would I ever claim to be one, but it looks as though they will be just as busy as ever out on waveland and shefield.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Mar 2, 2006 5:51 PM CST reply actions

I agree completely...

... those back railings are no higher than the old fences and might even be a bit lower.

by Al Yellon on Mar 2, 2006 6:34 PM CST up reply actions

Preseason.

Can't really tell much this early on, even though I like to see certain players doing well.

It is VERY goog to see the health of many key players seems to be fine (A-Ram, for example).

That's a big positive right now!

"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez

by The Jade Scorpion on Mar 2, 2006 6:14 PM CST reply actions

The Chicago Cubs

are on the air. Yeah Baby!!

by teacher tom on Mar 2, 2006 6:46 PM CST reply actions

Lookin good

Except I see in picture 6 a crack that needs to be filled in.

I"m excited to see the Cubs playing and after 1 game that's about all I can get excited about. But naturally, after 1 game there's already some people letting their excitement get the better of them:

http://www.northsidebaseball.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=29406&sid=9f2ad82c32f7851dabb197a2e5b09ca 0

by escapegoat on Mar 2, 2006 8:45 PM CST up reply actions

It don't mean nothing .. and yet ..

.. there is nothing quite so pleasurable for a Cubs fan to hear that the CUBBIES are on the diamond again! The chase begins again! Spring has sprung and MLB is once more at the cosmic null point where all dreams are equal and all things possible.

The game may not mean anything for all of the obvious training nature, but there's nothing like seeing the Boys of Blue taking to the fields again. Nothing. The mad obsession begins and once more, we start the long journey toward Fall.

The best news is that the day is over and none of the club is HURT. Howbout them trainers .. Someone buy them boys a Coke ..

Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!

by cubnational on Mar 2, 2006 9:27 PM CST reply actions

I agree...

the games don't really mean anything, but they mean something to me.

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes.

by sparkles721 on Mar 2, 2006 10:44 PM CST up reply actions

Wow

that HR recap was painful...well I guess if your Brian "Korey" Patterson...oh wait, not the same guy? Apparently they both suck...at least the entire rest of the team looked pretty good.

Anyone can have a bad century...

by Kinky Reggae on Mar 2, 2006 10:12 PM CST reply actions

Just imagine, Al.............

..........where they would have been if this had been a "normal" Chicago winter? Even with the hospitable weather, ya gotta wonder if they will get everything done; looks like the private room still needs a lot of work.

by tville on Mar 2, 2006 10:15 PM CST reply actions

That's probably true...

... but they can open the rest of the bleachers without that finished.

by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2006 8:15 AM CST up reply actions

And miss..............

...........opening weekend revenues? And against the Cardinals no less?

It's likely the Cubs already sold it, so they'll need to get it done!

by tville on Mar 3, 2006 11:02 AM CST up reply actions

had it been a normal winter

the cubs could have entered the wonderful world of construction overtime pay. it would have cost tribco more, but they weren't going to miss out on this cash cow.

All will be fixed in 2006

by DSZ on Mar 3, 2006 5:53 PM CST up reply actions

XM

Looks like tomorrow's game is on KOMO, Seattle's radio station. If I listen, I will post updates.

DmL

by dmlichte on Mar 2, 2006 10:46 PM CST reply actions

Interesting lineup by Baker

CF'er
DH (Hairston)
1B
3B
2B (Walker)
C (Barrett)
RF (Jones)
LF Murton
SS

Driving next to the Rocky Mtns it dawned on me that the best possible lineup for the Cubs to develop towards is:

Pierre
Hairston (2B) or Walker
Murton
Lee
Ramirez
Jones
Barrett
Cedeno

Murton in the 3 hole (provided he hits at his 2005 pace) is more patient either moving Pierre/Hairston or Walker and setting a bigger table for Lee & Ramirez.

Bill Veeck planted Ivy during 'The Depression', and over time the Ivy Walls has become the most distinct symbol of Wrigley Field.

by Ivy Walls on Mar 3, 2006 1:46 AM CST reply actions

construction

I passed the ball park on Sunday and there were about 20 iron workers doing their thing. If the construction was anywhere near on schedule, they would not have been there. These guys are the come of the most expensive tradesmen getting double time on Sundays. They are very lucky to have this nice winter.

by gocubsgo22 on Mar 3, 2006 9:51 AM CST reply actions

Good points

I could see Murton in the 3hole Lee in cleanup and Rami in 5. I like Murton's patience and think that Hairston or alker would be just as effective lower int he order. In fact, I always thought that a lineup that is strong at the bottom creates more confusion for the pitcher. I suppose that was obvious, forgive the momentary brain fart in thinking that people didn't already know this.

Anyone can have a bad century...

by Kinky Reggae on Mar 3, 2006 11:44 AM CST up reply actions