Wrigley Resodding Project - Tuesday 11/13 Update

by Al on Nov 13, 2007 8:37 AM CST in 2007 Wrigley Resodding Project

It's unbelievable how lucky they've been with the weather for this project. Today and tomorrow, in fact, are forecast to be nice enough that if the field wasn't still all dirt, it would be pleasant enough to be a nice baseball day:

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. South southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. West northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Nicer than a lot of April days at Wrigley. Anyway, work proceeds this morning (photos taken 8:15 am CT from the webcams):

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Perhaps this is the first sign

That this is our year! ;)

If the sun wasnt setting at 4pm, it would seem like September around here!

Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

by JB 23 on Nov 13, 2007 8:40 AM CST 0 recs

Does anyone know

if they are putting in sod this fall? Or are they getting all the drainage and dirt ready and will roll the sod in the spring?

by TC Cubby on Nov 13, 2007 9:10 AM CST 0 recs

They will be putting in the sod this fall

by cubsnlinux on Nov 13, 2007 9:21 AM CST up 0 recs

Maybe as early as this week.

It's my understanding that they want to get this job finished by Thanksgiving.

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

by Al on Nov 13, 2007 9:27 AM CST up 0 recs

I was

At the ballpark on Saturday and peered through the gates. You can clearly see they eliminated the crown. Looks good, I just wish I was a construction worker for a couple weeks to get paid to work there.

Hey.....Cubs win!!! Steve Stone is the most overrated scumbag in the business.

by Hammer on Nov 13, 2007 9:54 AM CST 0 recs

Nice...

I can almost see Fukudome there in the batters box, staring down Jason Isringhausen, jacking a walk off homerun on to Sheffield.

Ahh... happy thoughts.

"They (Expos fans) discovered 'boo' is pronounced the same in French as it is in English." -Harry Caray

by IowaCubs- on Nov 13, 2007 10:11 AM CST 0 recs

Love that thought!

Incidentally, Fukudome wore uniform #1 for the Chunichi Dragons. No Cub wore #1 during 2007 -- it's available and ready and waiting for him.

Let's go, Jim Hendry! Get him signed!

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

by Al on Nov 13, 2007 10:18 AM CST up 0 recs

Chunichi Dragons

all this talk about the Chunichi Dragons is making me want to go back and watch mr. baseball.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike on Nov 13, 2007 10:49 AM CST up 0 recs

and if you look close, that's me on Sheffield

catching it on one bounce. Should have caught it on the fly, but was a bit winded after running over from Waveland for Soriano's at bat.

Of course, I then turn and bow respectfully to Isringhausen-san for graciously giving up such a blast...

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

by ballhawk on Nov 13, 2007 10:51 AM CST up 0 recs

Bruce Levine...

...reported on ESPN 1000 that Hendry wants to put a package of young players together to get Carl Crawford. Bruce didn't say who but I'm guessing Tampa Bay would ask for Pie and some pitching prospects.

by seang03 on Nov 13, 2007 10:28 AM CST 0 recs

This is being discussed...

... in the "Trade Rumors" diary.

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

by Al on Nov 13, 2007 10:32 AM CST up 0 recs

670 SCORE reporting Monroe to Twins

Hendry closing in on a deal...

Ed Lynch is STILL on the Cubs payroll, as our D-Backs scout in Phoenix. Lynch attends all 81 D-Back home games with a notepad in hand. Really paid off for us!

by SackMan on Nov 13, 2007 10:35 AM CST 0 recs

That's great news.

Now Hendry won't have to be afraid of KOW taking him out back and shooting him; he's made another deal.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Nov 13, 2007 10:41 AM CST up 0 recs

LMAO!

n/t

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

by Al on Nov 13, 2007 10:45 AM CST up 0 recs

beautiful

n/t

"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella

by El Borto on Nov 13, 2007 11:34 AM CST up 0 recs

I can't wait to see who is the first person

to complain that Hendry didn't get enough in return.

by rlpete on Nov 13, 2007 10:46 AM CST up 0 recs

Thank goodness

.....they were just about to run about of fungo bats.

Hey.....Cubs win!!! Steve Stone is the most overrated scumbag in the business.

by Hammer on Nov 13, 2007 10:38 AM CST 0 recs

But what about infield rakes?

With the new field, we're gonna need some more, you know.

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

by Al on Nov 13, 2007 10:46 AM CST up 0 recs

What???

Steve Stone is a "scumbag"? Give me a break, what a ridiculous thing to say. He's the best color announcer in baseball and has been for as long as I've been watching (15+ years), and even if you have a different opinion what on earth makes him a "scumbag"?

I can't believe anyone would be so offended by anything he's done to make that part of how you sign each and every post. Get a life.

by Orval Overall on Nov 13, 2007 2:52 PM CST up 0 recs

Cubs Trade Jones to Tigers for Infante

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071112&content_id=2298739&vkey=news_chc&a mp;fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

Discuss amongst yourselves...

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Nov 13, 2007 10:59 AM CST 0 recs

Uh, we did.

All day yesterday. In either of the two "Jones for Infante" diaries or in the main thread.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Nov 13, 2007 11:12 AM CST up 0 recs

Uh, sorry

just got back into town, haven't hit the diaries yet.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Nov 13, 2007 11:31 AM CST up 0 recs

WHAT WHAT WHAT

Jones for Infante, are you joking.

Hey.....Cubs win!!! Steve Stone is the most overrated scumbag in the business.

by Hammer on Nov 13, 2007 11:06 AM CST 0 recs

What?

Same point I made above -- Steve Stone is a "scumbag"? Give me a break, what a ridiculous thing to say. He's the best color announcer in baseball and has been for as long as I've been watching (15+ years), and even if you have a different opinion what on earth makes him a "scumbag"?

I can't believe anyone would be so offended by anything he's done to make that part of how you sign each and every post. Get a life.

by Orval Overall on Nov 13, 2007 2:53 PM CST up 0 recs

Here I go again

The love for Steve Stone is warranted but my hate for him is as well. Arrogance is not a positive trait and no one has more than Mr. Stone. Someone should follow up Mr. Stones comments about how he doesnt want to be a GM with this questions....Have you ever been offered the job? The answer would most certainly be no.

This is my opinion and Ill stick to it. It didnt start well years ago when I went to Cubby Bear Lincolnshire (took off work) because Stoney was going to be there from 10-2. Got there at 1 for lunch and he had left. I dont like him at all and dislike him enough to put it in my sig.

Thanks for caring though. Enjoy your arrogance and continue to listen to him and Boers+Bernstein humiliate and laugh at callers. AFterall according to Stoney his opinion is based on fact.

Hey.....Cubs win!!! Steve Stone is the most overrated scumbag in the business.

by Hammer on Nov 13, 2007 3:13 PM CST up 0 recs

I like Stone

and I'm not writing to tell you to like him or anything. And I'm not asking what I'm about to ask to be a jerk. So, thusly prefaced, what exactly is wrong with opinion based on fact? Or maybe I'm not understanding your meaning behind that statement. It reads as though you are being sarcastic or in some way making fun of him. However, basing one's opinion on fact seems like it would be a good thing, yes?

by Scott on Nov 13, 2007 4:54 PM CST up 0 recs

I usually take nothing he says seriously...

with a sig line like that, he can't be too intelligent.

by LT on Nov 13, 2007 8:03 PM CST up 0 recs

WELL

I must have typed wrong, I meant that he STATES his opinion as fact and not that it is based on fact.

Sorry, and right having a sig. like that makes me unitelligent, or maybe my eyes are open (insert blind sheep comment here LT, who by the way doesnt have a sig. yet remarks on mine)

Hey.....Cubs win!!! Steve Stone is the most overrated scumbag in the business.

by Hammer on Nov 14, 2007 9:51 AM CST up 0 recs

BTW.....In response to GET A LIFE

..........you didnt have to comment on my sig. in the first place. I have little time for your 4th grade attempts at insults.

Hey.....Cubs win!!! Steve Stone is the most overrated scumbag in the business.

by Hammer on Nov 13, 2007 3:15 PM CST up 0 recs

Things we could get for Monroe

STBNL (shit to be named later)

Infield rake
Bag of Balls
Some pine tar
Phone number for Neifi's "guy"
A used batting glove
John Kitna

"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella

by El Borto on Nov 13, 2007 11:39 AM CST 0 recs

Nevermind

He's not going back to Detroit, but if he was I still wouldn't take Kitna

"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella

by El Borto on Nov 13, 2007 11:40 AM CST up 0 recs

It is for an ITBNL

"Intern to be Named Later"

Infante for Jones??!! OMG!! SPREAD THE WORD! OMG!!

How did I miss this??!!

;-)

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Nov 13, 2007 11:59 AM CST 0 recs

670 SCORE reports Hendry hot after Matsui

Possibly to lure Fukudome?

Ed Lynch is STILL on the Cubs payroll, as our D-Backs scout in Phoenix. Lynch attends all 81 D-Back home games with a notepad in hand. Really paid off for us!

by SackMan on Nov 13, 2007 12:36 PM CST 0 recs

For those of you with a crush on...

...Sam Fuld - you can watch him stomp through the AFL like Godzilla here. Yay video.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Nov 13, 2007 12:53 PM CST 0 recs

Lisa Winston...

... needs to go back to broadcasting school.

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

by Al on Nov 13, 2007 1:05 PM CST up 0 recs

Al!!!!!!

You must have beat my post by 10 seconds.

"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07

by RynoHoF on Nov 13, 2007 1:06 PM CST up 0 recs

LOL!

She's be fine in Uttumna, Iowa.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Nov 13, 2007 1:10 PM CST up 0 recs

W o w

t h a t _ w a s _ p a i n f u l _ t o _ l i s t e n _ t o . B t w , i ' m _ t y p i n g _ t h i s _ s l o w _ j u s t _ i n _ c a s e _ L i s a _ r e a d s _ B C B.

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

by ballhawk on Nov 13, 2007 3:05 PM CST up 0 recs

I prefer obsession to crush

Not that Sam is not an adorable Jewish boy but I am a bit old
for him and seriously I love the fact he is a FAST, SMART runner and a very good DEFENSIVE outfielder who looks like he is finally hitting.
Alas for the moment my computer can't see the clip but I will borrow one from someone else in the office.

THANKS

"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Nov 13, 2007 1:05 PM CST up 0 recs

Or you can watch to catch the lady...

...apparantly interning for MLB as a reporter. Wow, that was hard to watch her "report".

"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07

by RynoHoF on Nov 13, 2007 1:05 PM CST up 0 recs

You have no earthly idea.

She's actually pretty good compared to the stuff I see from real downmarket places at work. Yeah. Good times had by all.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Nov 13, 2007 1:12 PM CST up 0 recs

Wow,

perhaps I've been spoiled then by living in Chicago the past 5 years and New York the previous 2. I grew up in a REALLY small town but I guess I've kinda forgotten how bad the reporting can be.

"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07

by RynoHoF on Nov 13, 2007 1:20 PM CST up 0 recs

Do you think that

was her real hair or an "off the shelf" wig from the nearby Circle K?

I can't wait for 2008!

by LAcarl519 on Nov 13, 2007 4:00 PM CST up 0 recs

Wrigley Question

The old Wrigley was infamous among hitters for the slowness of the infield and the number of sheep that could graze thereon. Has anyone heard what the new Wrigley might be? Didn't Brossard make the Cell's infield really fast? Pie's stats might get better if some of the grounders he hits find a way to sneak through. (Is the Iowa infield fast?)

Also, this might hurt Jason Marquis, who is such a pronounced ground ball pitcher, and it might expose Ryan Theriot, who has to play more shallow than most SSs because of his weak arm.

Just food for thought -- we might not know the answer until April or May.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Nov 13, 2007 1:10 PM CST 0 recs

Being a groundball pitcher...

... and being affected by the field, has a lot to do with how long the grass is kept. I assume they'll still do it the same way.

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

by Al on Nov 13, 2007 1:14 PM CST up 0 recs

Afternoon resodding update

1:20 pm CT:

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

by Al on Nov 13, 2007 1:24 PM CST 0 recs

Question

Back when this was first being discussed, the groundskeeper in charge of the resodding essentially told the Tribune that the process could pay for itself because it lowers the field by 2 feet, which would allow an extra couple of rows of seats if the Cubs wanted to install them.

Does anyone know if: (1) The Cubs are in fact adding more seats as a result of this, (2) whether that means the Outfield wall is now functionally 2 feet higher than it was before, and (3) What that means for the ivy (which is presumably rooted in topsoil that would no longer be there)?

I haven't seen anyone comment on it yet, but it seems to me a pretty big deal to lower the field 2 feet, because if the wall stays in place that would mean it is now the equivalent of 2 feet higher off the ground, which would result in fewer home runs. It also seems to require a complete re-planting of the ivy.

Anyone know the story on this?

by Orval Overall on Nov 13, 2007 2:48 PM CST up 0 recs

regarding the walls,

the warning track is the same level, they just elimanated the 'hump' in the middle of the field, so the edges of the field are technically at the same elevation, therefore no ivy will be needed to be replaced.

I propose a toast to the great 100th anniversy gift known to mankind - A CUBS WORLD SERIES VICTORY!

by BigZ 4 Cy on Nov 13, 2007 3:41 PM CST up 0 recs

The Sod is in the house!

Well, actually it's in the parking lot. And probably not all of it, but at least a good start to it.

Just came back from doing a walk-by, and saw several flatbeds in the carwash parking lot, loaded with rolls of sod. One of the trucks had Colorado signage on the door and I remember reading that the Cubs were going to use Colorado grass, so probably a safe guess that this is the stuff. Took some pictures and will post a link as soon as I download.

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

by ballhawk on Nov 13, 2007 2:58 PM CST 0 recs

Link to new sod pictures

http://picasaweb.google.com/kenvangeloff/AnotherSodStoryAtWrigleyField

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

by ballhawk on Nov 13, 2007 4:05 PM CST up 0 recs

Organic Ho Hos

Ho, ho, ho.

I thought they looked like dirty old carpets.

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Nov 13, 2007 4:55 PM CST up 0 recs

Nice pics.

I'm guessing they'll try to start tomorrow.

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

by Al on Nov 13, 2007 6:00 PM CST up 0 recs

I spent most of my junior year at ISU

on Colorado grass.

Wink, wink, nudge, nudge. Know what I mean? Know what I mean?

"I got mad hits like I was Rod Carew!"

by lostinthevines on Nov 13, 2007 7:00 PM CST up 0 recs

Response...

"I haven't seen anyone comment on it yet..."

I posed similar question last week. Al commented:
no new seats as of yet. No public statements re the same question. From the photos, we have not had a good guess as to whether the dugouts now allow better sightlines of home plate/infield, or not.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Nov 13, 2007 3:26 PM CST 0 recs

today's Fuld update

3-4 1BB 2b 1RBI BA up to .406
Alas I still can't see the clip due to our office Macs not
as far as I can tell accessing it. Oh well

"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Nov 13, 2007 6:31 PM CST 0 recs

MLB.tv uses Windows Media...

...theoretically Flip4Mac may help.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Nov 13, 2007 6:43 PM CST up 0 recs

I appreciate the advise

but it would require someone who knows SOMETHING about computers to do it and I am not that person. Will hit up someone in the office. We got a few good baseball fans here.
Since this in New York we got a diverse group.:One Yankee fan
one MET fan. one Indians fan , one Braves fan,one Nats fan
another sort of Cub fan ( her boyfriend is a big fan so she is for now) two Red Sox fans and a Brazillian who could care less.
However I know the Mets fan goes to MLB sites so I will try him.

"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Nov 13, 2007 6:51 PM CST up 0 recs

Sod pics...

Thanks Al & Ballhawk for the visual update on the park. Amazing weather! I'm jealous...pissing rain on the west coast of Canada.

Anyway, some good clearing of the dead-wood by Hendry. Hopefully a prelude to some good aggressive moves.

I like Crawford, but maybe not at the expense of Hill. We've always complained that the Cubs don't develop talent or give young guys a chance, so let's stand by that.

I've heard a lot of talk about Kaz Matsui. Can the guy still play short, or would DeRosa lose a job once they sign Fukudome?

Notice the positive thinking?

Cubs chances in '08? Beats the FUKE O DO ME!

by Hugest Canadian Cubs Fan on Nov 13, 2007 9:04 PM CST 0 recs

Warning Track now 4' deeper

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-071113cubsbits,1,2709116.story?coll= cs-home-headlines

Article also talks about how Ramirez could have won the gold glove.

Our grandparents used to say, "I hope the Cubs win the Series before I die". Now teenagers are saying it. Let's change that next season!

by blackhawk24 on Nov 14, 2007 6:16 AM CST 0 recs

Sullivan...

... seems to believe the Gold Glove should go to the player with the fewest errors, which is silly.

About the warning track, that's good news. It says:

This might not make a difference to most outfielders, but it should help Soriano, who had a difficult time feeling his way around the wall, particularly in the left-field well where the wall curves. Soriano admitted he had problems knowing exactly where he was at times, but the deeper warning track should give him a better feel. He still led all outfielders with 19 assists.

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

by Al on Nov 14, 2007 8:22 AM CST up 0 recs