Meaningful Things

by Al Yellon on Feb 29, 2008 5:24 PM CST in Chicago Cubs Recaps

The Cubs lost to the Giants 8-6 this afternoon on another sunny, 75-degree day in Mesa.

So what? Wins and losses don't mean a thing in spring training. And this isn't a rationalization, it's the truth. Most major league managers would tell you that they don't even necessarily play to win each ST game -- because they are experimenting with lineups, taking regulars out early, and switching pitchers far more often than they would during a regular season game.

So what happened today that was meaningful for the Cubs?

Carlos Zambrano threw two decent innings, though he ruined the first one with his own throwing error.
Rich Hill also threw two uneventful innings, striking out three
Kosuke Fukudome continued to play On-Base Machine, walking twice more and scoring two runs; in fact, the Cubs drew nine walks total today, a good sign, including two from Mike Fontenot, who also doubled and who will be given the chance to see if he can play 3B or SS, to improve his chances of sticking as a utility player
One of our Closer Candidates, Carlos Marmol, appeared in a game for the first time, and Marmol put some random minor league Giants down 1-2-3.
Why is Les Walrond even still issued a major league uniform? He's awful. He is 31 years old. He wasn't even any good when he was younger. There have to be better ways to fill out the Iowa rotation than with retreads like this.

There isn't that much more to say about this afternoon's game, which none of us saw nor heard, only followed on Gameday -- well, as best we could, because at times there were long pauses between Gameday updates. Tomorrow's game, being televised, will provide much more fodder for discussion. And, the Cubs will actually be playing someone other than the Giants! Finally -- if you're in Chicago or the surrounding area, I'm sure you were happy to see the sun and temperatures above 40 today; spring can't be far behind.

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I'm glad that Big Z pitched well

by cubs ftw on Feb 29, 2008 5:25 PM CST reply actions

I'm glad Walrond...

got lit up in this game...maybe it will save us from the outside chance he sticks around too long during ST and takes innings away from the pitchers who will actually get ML hitters out during the regular season.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Feb 29, 2008 5:30 PM CST reply actions

Walrond

It is amazing a guy that like sticks around for that long. Last year at ST he was very nice to myself and friends and talked a while, at least he isn't a jerk.

It will be nice to watch some Cubs baseball on a Saturday.

by slocs55 on Feb 29, 2008 5:34 PM CST reply actions

I really do feel for him...

at least a bit. The guy is just trying to live the dream. But it takes all of one inning in Spring Training to figure out why it won't happen. Sigh. At least he was in the Show.

by Damen Jackson on Feb 29, 2008 6:30 PM CST up reply actions

That's Walrond's reason

for being on the team. He's here to eat innings in AAA and serve as a good example to the younger kids. He knows he's never going to get more than an emergency start in the majors anymore.

I would imagine his dreams these days involve making it to the majors as a pitching coach. That's what often happened to Larry Rothschild, for example. Walrond's major league career is already 17 innings longer than Rothschild's.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh Timmers on Mar 1, 2008 3:02 AM CST up reply actions

I was at the game until

the bottom of the 7th. Left to beat the traffic.

Fukudome impresses me. Ok, it's only ST, but he knows what he's doing up there, no wasted AB's.

Z looked good, Hill, too. Fontenot was still stroking the ball.

Don't know what the weather stations were saying, but it definitely was in the 80's there today. Talked to a potential BCBer in the LF bleachers, the very nice couple hail from western DuPage County. Had a great time chatting with them while quaffing frosty Old Styles.

Soriano was in CF for an inning or so, he lost a ball in the sun, Fuld misjudged one right before that. Don't know what Fuld was looking at, it wasn't that hard of a play. He took his first step in, and it was over him.

Got to shake Fergie's hand today at his charity kiosk and he signed my glove. Also caught my first ever BP HR today on the fly.

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

by BigJohnAZ on Feb 29, 2008 6:06 PM CST reply actions

I thought the outfield berm area was closed...

...during BP. Not true? I'm assuming gates open 2 hours before game time which should get you about 2/3 of the Cubs BP and all of the visitors BP. But I thought I heard/read somewhere that they don't open up the outfield berm area until after BP. Hope I'm wrong and based on your exploits today, sounds like I am. Just looking to confirm. Thanks.

And congrats on catching your first. Did they stop BP and let you toss the ball off to the side for safe-keeping? ;-)

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

by ballhawk on Feb 29, 2008 6:15 PM CST up reply actions

It is closed

but (shhh shhhh) I met a long time Cubs fan there that is the first one at the all the HoHoKam games and he camps right under the scoreboard. He told me that if you are careful and time it, you can run in there and snag one before the security sees you. I was picking up one that was laying there and the hitter who I don't remember, launched another dinger and I camped under it for the catch. I am not trying to get anyone in trouble but I got lucky today. If a bunch of people start showing up there to try and sneak one HR balls out, the Cubs will post more security there.

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

by BigJohnAZ on Feb 29, 2008 6:22 PM CST up reply actions

Big security changes since the 80's

I used to walk right onto the field during BP in the 80's. I'd act like I belonged and without interrupting anyone that was doing drills or in the cage, strike up conversations with the players, Harry, Zimmer. I have pics but haven't been able to put them up here. The link someone provided in another post didn't work for me.
I went back to ST in 1992 and it was already set up to protect the players and limit access. Ah, those were the days.
Fitch was pretty open then and spent quite a bit of time talking to Jim Colborn one year. He lived in Ventura County, CA at one time, where I lived from 1964 to 1998, and was involved in the one year Ventura Gulls A ball team experiment. Very friendly to me.

Anyway, congrats on the HR ball and meeting Fergie. He and Santo were my favorites.

by jtiet on Mar 1, 2008 7:57 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah, I made my catch

and tossed it to my peeps. They secured it and made sure it left the stadium without fans rushing to catch a glimpse of such a historic ball! LOL

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

by BigJohnAZ on Feb 29, 2008 6:25 PM CST up reply actions

The reason...

... they started closing the berm during BP is that adults were starting to trample kids going for HR balls. VERY bad form.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 29, 2008 7:52 PM CST up reply actions

Forgot to mention that

Sori took a 4 pitch walk in the bottom of the first, that was a good thing to see. All in all, good plate discipline so far after 2 games. 9 Cubs walks today vs. 6 K's.

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

by BigJohnAZ on Feb 29, 2008 6:18 PM CST up reply actions

You say spring not far behind?

I think Tom Freakin Skilling should determine that.

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

by LilLPLancer23 on Feb 29, 2008 6:14 PM CST reply actions

Walk ratios

Sure it's early, but it's been nice to see the pitchers keeping the walks down and the lineup drawing lots of them while keeping the Ks down.

by Mike Vails Evil Twin on Feb 29, 2008 6:24 PM CST reply actions

Yes, it sure is.

Dusty Baker must be spinning in his -- oh, wait.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 29, 2008 7:53 PM CST up reply actions

I know I went OT

a bit, but DAMN it was fun to be out there today!!!

Attendance was 8,838, so I guess everyone is waiting for Spring Break. Was nice not having to trip over people on the lawn.

FYI, beers are $6.50, Old Style cans are $5.

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

by BigJohnAZ on Feb 29, 2008 6:29 PM CST reply actions

egad

isn't that MORE than it is at Wrigley?

Worst to First in 2007, brought to you by Lou, Sori, A-Ram and D-Lee.

by drewishdrewid on Feb 29, 2008 6:36 PM CST up reply actions

I don't mind...

... that you posted about being at the game -- it's so early, I'm glad someone from BCB was there to report on the festivities.

About the prices, yes, the concession prices are major league. At least the food is better now than it used to be.

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

by Al Yellon on Feb 29, 2008 7:51 PM CST up reply actions

A beer at Chase Field

Will run ya $9.00.

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

by lemon20pie on Mar 1, 2008 5:25 AM CST up reply actions

That's insane.

n/t

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 1, 2008 5:34 AM CST up reply actions

When I go to D Back games

I usually only have 1 beer. That's fricking stealing, IMO.

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

by BigJohnAZ on Mar 1, 2008 10:11 AM CST up reply actions

Still no....

A-Ram?

by ams05g on Feb 29, 2008 9:24 PM CST reply actions

Playing it cautious

Which is a good thing to do when talking about our most crucial run producer in the lineup. Ramirez should have his playing time limited to what he needs to get in shape and be ready for Opening Day.

by MDBNIU on Feb 29, 2008 10:51 PM CST up reply actions

His throwing arm is stiff

On the radio today, Lou says he has a little stiffness in his throwing arm, but he is playing on Sunday.

by louslovechild on Feb 29, 2008 9:29 PM CST reply actions

On whether today's game was...

...a success: Did anyone important get injured? No. Success! - TL

"Why shouldn't we believe that we're going to win the World Series?" - Ted Lilly, 1/19/2008, Daily Herald interview w/Barry Rozner

by timlacy on Feb 29, 2008 10:11 PM CST reply actions

All Angels Spring training games

are now free on the internet, whether you have gameday audio or not. So everyone can listen to today's game, although you'll probably have to listen to the Angels feed. But if it's Terry Smith and Rory Markus, they're very good.

Angels games are free because KLAA (Which stands for Los Angeles Angels, btw and is owned by Arte Moreno) won't preempt their right-wing talk shows during the day for Angels spring training games.

But everyone should be able to listen to today's game on the internet.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh Timmers on Mar 1, 2008 3:14 AM CST reply actions

So do you get these...

... through the normal Gameday Audio channels? Or somewhere else?

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 1, 2008 4:19 AM CST up reply actions

I believe through

normal Gameday channels. I just got an email from the Angels saying that all the games would be available for free and a link that took me to gameday audio.

Doesn't seem to have anything up on the website though. But I'd check the the Angels website closer to gametime. Or I'd just try to click on the Angels feed and see if it asks for a password.

Good thing I'm up with a crying baby. :-)

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh Timmers on Mar 1, 2008 4:25 AM CST up reply actions

Reading the email

it says "Courtesy of angelsbaseball.com, fans can LISTEN LIVE to all Angels' Spring Training games broadcast on KLAA 830 for FREE at angelsbaseball.com. Free Game Day Audio for Angels Spring Training games will begin on March 1, 2008. Tune in and catch all the action!"

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh Timmers on Mar 1, 2008 4:29 AM CST up reply actions

Thanks!

The Cubs play the Angels three more times after today:

Friday, March 14 at Mesa
Sunday, March 16 at Mesa (game on WGN-TV)
Wednesday, March 26 at Tempe

Hope the baby's stopped crying by now.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 1, 2008 5:12 AM CST up reply actions

On the..

.... MLB.com Mediacenter for today, there's now a KLAA link. I clicked on it and it did NOT ask for a login/password, so I presume this will be the same at gametime. Thanks again for the info.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 1, 2008 5:15 AM CST up reply actions