Photos From Fitch Park

by Al on Feb 24, 2008 11:24 AM CST in News Comment 37 comments

Courtesy of BCB reader ronsanto10 and his wife, Seiko, we have quite a few photos of action last Wednesday at Fitch Park.

He also passed along the following story:

There was a funny incident with Kosuke. The coach throwing BP to Fukudome yelled over to the translator, "I want him to practice bunts. How do I say "bunt" in Japanese?" With all the Japanese reporters and dozens of fans (including me) looking on, the translator smiled and said, "Bunt-o". Everyone had a good laugh.

(Note, ronsanto10 is of Japanese descent.)

Top: ~~Rich Hill~~ Adam Harben, Carlos Zambrano, Jason Marquis (look how skinny Z is!); Z, Marquis, Carlos Marmol; Derrek Lee, Kosuke Fukudome and others at the batting cage; Fukudome hitting

Middle: D-Lee waiting his turn to hit; D-Lee hitting, Felix Pie waiting; Lee and Pie talking; Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano

Bottom: Lou Piniella signing autographs

as always, click on thumbnail to view full-size in new browser window. If you are using IE, you may have to click the lower-right corner of the image in the new window to expand it to its full size; in Firefox click anywhere on the image.

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Great picture ronsanto10

Z is looking pretty skinny these days. Marmol looks a lot bigger than I thought he was, perhaps it is because of his compact, almost slouching, delivery?

Thanks for sharing!

"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion

by DTJchris on Feb 24, 2008 12:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Love the D-Lee hitting picture

If you look close, you can see the ball in flight. I'd say it's heading a little bit on the center side of straightaway left. If Al hustles, he might just get it...

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

by ballhawk on Feb 24, 2008 12:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Awesome!

Thanks!

MMMMM...Nutrisystem!

by Kinky Reggae on Feb 24, 2008 1:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Top Left

Who is the pitcher on the left? He's not Hill, since his glove is on his left hand.

Thanks for the pictures, and they all look like they're either skinny or healthy or both.

"Good pitching will always stop good hitting and vice-versa." -Casey Stengel

by cubbybear on Feb 24, 2008 1:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Quiz!

The first guy on the left in the first photo is obviously NOT Rich Hill -- he's got his glove on his left hand.

But who is it? I thought it was Hill at first. Anyone have any idea?

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

by Al on Feb 24, 2008 1:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

comparative analysis would suggest...

seeing as how Z is listed at 6'5", 255 lbs, it's either Howry (6'5", 220) or Petrick (6'6", 240).

If you zoom in on the photo, it sure doesn't look like Howry, so I'm going with Petrick.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=459336

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

by ballhawk on Feb 24, 2008 1:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My guess

http://springtrainingmagazine.com/chcroster.html

Zambrano is listed at 6'5 and the guy on the left seems to be taller.

Right handed pitchers who are 6'5 or taller and down in Arizona are:

Adam Harben
Bob Howry
Tim Lahey
Jeff Samardzija
Kerry Wood

We all recognize Howry, Samardzija and Wood so it's got be Harben or Lahey.

http://miraclefans.com/teampictures/2005/harben05.jpg
Adam Harben

http://miraclebaseball.com.ismmedia.com/ISM2/PlayerManager/33.jpeg.300.jpeg
Tim Lahey

I'm gonna go with Harben. I had no idea both of these guys used to play in the Twins organization.

by IllinoisCubs on Feb 24, 2008 1:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

A guess..

... Kevin Hart or Adam Harbin.

by dmlichte on Feb 24, 2008 1:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Is it

Adam Harben?

That rug really tied the room together.

by TCobb1911 on Feb 24, 2008 1:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Gotta be

Rich Hill is 6'5 and 210, Adam Harben is 6'5, 205 and most people thought it was Hill at first except for the glove.

by IllinoisCubs on Feb 24, 2008 1:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Here's a photo of Harben.

You make the call.

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

by Al on Feb 24, 2008 4:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Im only a betting man on the weekends

so since its sunday I'll agree with you an put my money on it being Adam Harben

I can't believe I'm batting 9th again -Ted Lily

by NIUcubbie on Feb 24, 2008 1:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If it is

Adam should really do something about the end of his pants.

That rug really tied the room together.

by TCobb1911 on Feb 24, 2008 1:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

D. Lee

Sporting a nice burly beard. It's a good look on him.

by Rev Gunia on Feb 24, 2008 2:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

He goes

to the same stylist as Coach Lovie.

"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on Feb 24, 2008 3:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully

He won't become friends with Drew Gooden, joining in on the "beard challenge '07".

He's the one with the huge beard in the middle.

"Good pitching will always stop good hitting and vice-versa." -Casey Stengel

by cubbybear on Feb 25, 2008 12:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Drew Gooden reminds me of...

Remember that 'drawing' toy you had as a kid? It was a thin gray pad, about 8.5 x 11, encased in clear plastic and had a basic outline of a bald man's face. Inside the case was a bunch of little metal shavings. Your 'pencil' was this red stick that was really a magnet. So you pointed your pencil through the plastic at a bunch of the shavings and dragged them onto the face and moved the pencil away. The shavings dropped and became eyebrows, mustache, nose hair, etc.

Anyway, I'm sure I 'drew' Gooden many times when I was a kid - just never knew there'd be someone that looked like that in real life. Call up Kevin McHale and Fred Roberts - there may be a new addition to the all-phugly team...

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

by ballhawk on Feb 25, 2008 3:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't believe it's the same Z

he has really gone Jenny Craig. I saw him pitch in AAA quite a few times and he is looking like his young self.

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 Feb 24, 2008 2:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The last couple of years

Zambrano has come into ST in great shape and looking lean. Although he has quickly put it back on during the season.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Feb 24, 2008 4:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't remember...

... him looking THAT thin in previous years, though. I almost didn't recognize him.

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

by Al on Feb 24, 2008 4:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

He seems a little leaner in years past, but I don't think extraordinarily so. Here's a picture I believe taken in Spring Training 2007.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Feb 24, 2008 5:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Photos

Glad you all liked the photos. I am an amateur at posting pix so I sent them to Al and he was kind enough to do the honors along with the players's names. I just hope Z hasn't lost much of his power along with his weight. And if you think he is "thin" you should see Kerry Wood (I almost didn't recognize him). Jake Fox looked awesome pounding 300-400' line drives. Soto didn't look too good, but it's still early. Lee, Ramirez, Fukudome, Soriano all had great BP. Sorry I wish I had gotten the name of the mystery pitcher but now you guys have something to do on a Sunday afternoon.

Thanks again Al for the post. I have a few more pictures, but these were probably the best. If there is more interest, I will be glad to send them to Al and have him post them.

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

by ronsanto10 on Feb 24, 2008 3:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

So...

... was that Adam Harben standing next to Z?

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

by Al on Feb 24, 2008 4:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I would say yes

Especially if this picture was taken on Friday or Saturday as Harben has been throwing live BP with Marquis and he's been in this group (Pitchers and hitters are broken up into different groups)for the majority of Spring Training.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Feb 24, 2008 5:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for clearing this up!

n/t

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

by Al on Feb 24, 2008 5:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Has Derrek Lee

said anything about his wrist and his power stroke?

1st Official Al-Wanna-Be! Feel free to become an Oficial Al-Wanna-Be Today!

by LilLPLancer23 on Feb 24, 2008 4:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Photos

I should mention that these photos were taken last Wednesday, February 20, the first day of full roster workouts.

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

by ronsanto10 on Feb 24, 2008 5:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks.

I updated the front page with the right day.

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

by Al on Feb 24, 2008 5:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And the saga continues

Sorry for the diary jacking I am doing, but did not want to start another BR diary. This language is pretty strong and the Inquirer is a reputable source. Take it for what its worth.

Sources say that Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts will be traded to the Cubs as soon as the Orioles decide which pitchers they want in return. . . .

Here's the link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/15917802.html

by okiecubbie on Feb 24, 2008 5:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Oh, brother.

How many times have we heard THAT over the last couple of months?

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

by Al on Feb 24, 2008 5:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I know

But this comes from a more reliable source than good old escapegoat.

by okiecubbie on Feb 24, 2008 5:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

True.

But we have seen similar things from similar MSM sources, that turned out not to be true. We shall see.

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

by Al on Feb 24, 2008 5:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you on this

Also, it could take years for the Os to make this decision on the pitchers.

by okiecubbie on Feb 24, 2008 5:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly!

n/t

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

by Al on Feb 24, 2008 5:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Roberts and his Kidney Stone

Isn't entirely possible that his trip to the ER where it was reported that it was due to kidney stones, have anything to do with his steroid use? Could his body be breaking down and should this deter any remaining interest the Cubs have for him?

I know he said that he only used steroids once, but I personally don't believe him.

I know steroids attacks the Kidneys and can cause kidney stones and it's most likely not the cause here with Roberts, but I think if I was Hendry, I'd definitely be considering the possibility.

Lemon20Pie's 2008 PECOTA for Rich Hill: 204 IP 30 HR 75 BB 180 SO 1.35 WHIP 4.25 ERA

by lemon20pie on Feb 24, 2008 5:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

On MSM reports

Technically, if they say he is going to be traded to the Cubs, and he is next month or next year, they're sort of right. I know I'm falling right into the lower standards for the media that we bloggers have. This is for you counting at home, Brian Roberts report #2,314.

"Good pitching will always stop good hitting and vice-versa." -Casey Stengel

by cubbybear on Feb 25, 2008 12:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs