2008 Cubs Spring Training Schedule

by Al Yellon on Nov 19, 2007 3:44 PM CST in Chicago Cubs News

It's official:

Thu 2/28: vs. Giants at Scottsdale
Fri 2/29: vs. Giants at Mesa
Sat 3/1: vs. Angels at Tempe
Sun 3/2: vs. Giants at Mesa
Mon 3/3: vs. Mariners at Peoria
Tue 3/4: vs. Brewers at Maryvale
Wed 3/5: vs. Diamondbacks at Tucson
Thu 3/6: vs. Athletics at Phoenix
Fri 3/7: vs. Mariners at Mesa
Sat 3/8: vs. Diamondbacks at Mesa
         vs. Athletics at Phoenix
Sun 3/9: vs. Royals at Surprise
Mon 3/10: vs. Brewers at Maryvale
Tue 3/11: vs. Athletics at Mesa
Wed 3/12: vs. Rangers at Surprise
Thu 3/13: vs. Padres at Mesa
Fri 3/14: vs. Angels at Mesa
Sat 3/15: vs. White Sox at Tucson
Sun 3/16: vs. Angels at Mesa
Mon 3/17: OFF DAY
Tue 3/18: vs. Royals at Mesa
Wed 3/19: vs. Athletics at Mesa
          vs. Giants at Scottsdale
Thu 3/20: vs. Rockies at Mesa
Fri 3/21: vs. Rockies at Tucson
Sat 3/22: vs. White Sox at Mesa
Sun 3/23: vs. Padres at Peoria
Mon 3/24: vs. Rangers at Mesa
Tue 3/25: vs. Giants at Scottsdale
Wed 3/26: vs. Angels at Tempe
Thu 3/27: vs. Brewers at Mesa
Fri 3/28: vs. Mariners at Las Vegas, 9:15 CT
Sat 3/29: vs. Mariners at Las Vegas, 2:05 CT

A note on game times: there are no night games in Arizona this year. All games in Arizona are at 1:05 Arizona time -- that means 2:05 CT until March 8, and 3:05 CT on March 9 and later, because Daylight Saving time begins on March 9.

The only exception to this is the 3/27 game at Mesa, the final game in Arizona -- that starts at 12:05 Arizona time, 2:05 CT.

TV/radio dates will be announced later. Single-game tickets go on sale on January 8 at 10 am CT online.

UPDATE [2007-11-25 7:25:26 by Al]: The Giants' spring training schedule shows the March 19 game vs. the Cubs as a night game, 7:05 Arizona time, meaning Cubs fans could see a Cub doubleheader that day (there's a split-squad game vs. the A's in Mesa that afternoon).

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So

After this month is over, there will be only two more calendar months with no Cubs games in them. I can live with that.

Bring on Feb. 28.

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

by JohnM on Nov 19, 2007 3:52 PM CST reply actions

Ha

Also, in the Cubs Mailbag posted today by Carrie Muskat on cubs.com, she is asked when the Spring Training schedule will be announced. She doesn't actually answer, but says that last year it was announced in mid-December.

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

by JohnM on Nov 19, 2007 4:03 PM CST reply actions

She has no clue

For the past four years, it's been announced late October early November. I wrote a long, rambling post in the previous story:

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/comments/2007/11/19/9349/1116/8#8

by Mordecai on Nov 19, 2007 4:53 PM CST up reply actions

Where did you get this info from Al?

Just wondering.

by Mordecai on Nov 19, 2007 5:00 PM CST reply actions

I have a source.

However, it's now on the Cubs website.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 19, 2007 6:00 PM CST up reply actions

I got mine from...

springtrainingonline.com

That way I am able to book my flights to AZ ASAP.

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 20, 2007 7:48 AM CST up reply actions

Incidentally...

... I believe this will be the first time the Cubs have ever played a game in February. (If anyone has info to contradict this, please post.)

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 19, 2007 6:01 PM CST reply actions

In 2003...

Cubs opened on Feb. 27 vs. the Giants at Scottsdale. They played the Giants the next day at HoHoKam.

by Bruce Miles on Nov 19, 2007 6:30 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks, Bruce.

I had a feeling I had this one wrong. Thanks for the correction.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 19, 2007 7:17 PM CST up reply actions

re: In 2003...

Interesting! Let's hope Feb. baseball = (another) playoff appearance.

I'm also glad to hear that all of the spring training games will be played during the day. Nothing brightens up a dreary Feb/March workweek like listening to a wacky ST game with more substitutions than a roadside diner menu. I just hope there's a little more audio coverage than last year.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by daver on Nov 20, 2007 9:27 AM CST up reply actions

Spring training..

Hey Al,

Do you know when players report for Spring Training? Thanks.

"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse

by ronsanto10 on Nov 19, 2007 6:58 PM CST reply actions

I don't, but...

... usually it's about two weeks before the first game, so probably around the 13th or 14th of Feb.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 19, 2007 7:25 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks...

My kids are on Winter Break February 18-22 so I am going to take everyone to AZ to see my Cubbies. Is it possible to get autographs?

"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse

by ronsanto10 on Nov 19, 2007 7:31 PM CST up reply actions

Yes.

In fact, if you are going on those dates you'll be watching workouts and intrasquad games at Fitch Park, which is about 1/2 mile south of HoHoKam. Usually players are more relaxed and accessible then, as opposed to game days.

Have fun!

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 19, 2007 8:17 PM CST up reply actions

Hey Al,

Any chance we can meet up during Spring Training?

"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse

by ronsanto10 on Nov 19, 2007 8:47 PM CST up reply actions

If you're going to be there...

... in February, probably not, because I'll be there the last two weeks of March. But if you're back during that March time period, sure.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 20, 2007 4:06 AM CST up reply actions

Feb 14 brings to mind those three little words....

"Pitchers and catchers..."

what - you weren't seriously expecting romantic sentiments on a Cubs blog were you? ;-)

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

by ballhawk on Nov 19, 2007 7:50 PM CST up reply actions

Those are very romantic sentiments

In fact, I may whisper that into my girlfriends ear when we fall asleep tonight.

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

by El Borto on Nov 20, 2007 9:29 AM CST up reply actions

Good to see some Las Vegas games again

..I couldn't afford the tickets last spring training, but this year I'm going to do it. I'll probably end up going to both games, but the Friday night game is a lot more likely to showcase a lineup similar to what will be seen on opening day. The Saturday game this year was mostly minor leaguers after the 3rd inning.

by Zachary on Nov 19, 2007 8:53 PM CST reply actions

Houston Chronical reporting Matsui

to the 'Stros.

Kaz, I mean.

This may hamper recruiting efforts on behalf of Fukudome.

I am not optimistic on him becoming a Cub. Indeed, many of the accounts I'm reading state that he may stay in Japan anyway.

With no current or former Japanese players recently, it just is not lining up well, imo.

We'll see...

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

by TheEman on Nov 19, 2007 10:23 PM CST reply actions

Kaz to 'Stros

Great -- Matsui will do us the most good by degrading the performance of a divisional rival.

If It Takes Forever ....

by wrigley1 on Nov 20, 2007 5:02 AM CST up reply actions

Yes. And...

IF Kendall gets signed by the Brewers, its 2 for 2!

A bonus for anyone on the Cubs that can run!

I can see Daryl Ward stealing 2nd!

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

by TheEman on Nov 20, 2007 7:55 AM CST up reply actions

Stroke of luck

I had planned on going to games from the 14th through the 20th and there is only one game away from HoHoKam. I won't miss that traffic around Glendale, Sox game on a Saturday should be easy. See everyone there!

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Nov 20, 2007 8:10 AM CST reply actions

Split Squad Games

Haven't been out to AZ for Spring Training in a few years and wondered if someone can refresh my memory about split-squad games, namely do the "marquee" players usually play at HoHokam on days when there are split-squad games?

by Doug Dascenzo on Nov 20, 2007 9:24 AM CST reply actions

There is...

... either a MLB rule or a gentleman's agreement, that teams bringing a split squad will bring at least four starters or semi-regulars to each game, so as to provide a semblance of a major league team for the paying customers.

What that means in practice is that you'll get to see about half the regulars at a split squad game. They tend to keep the biggest names at home games.

Hope this helps.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 20, 2007 9:40 AM CST up reply actions