Shameless Promotion I: BCB was named as one of four featured Cubs blogs in the baseball preview edition of Sports Illustrated, which if you subscribe, you should now have, and I believe it should also be on newsstands.
There's a poll that's mentioned in that article. Naturally, I'd like your vote. You can vote for BCB here. In the finest Chicago tradition, vote early and often!
Shameless Promotion II: I emailed Matt Liston of "Chasing October" through an email link on his website. Got a reply from him late last night -- turns out he's a BCB reader:
Thanks again for the support. GO CUBS!
Sounds good to me. I look forward to meeting him this season.
Now, on to today's topics: Rain (the wet variety, not this kind), and Mark Prior.
The cloudburst that hit the Scottsdale area has moved out -- for now. It's still cloudy and a bit coolish (about 65 degrees. OK, that's cool for here, considering it was 99 last week), and there are more showers around the area. Presuming the game is played, Mark Prior will once again attempt to get major league hitters out. He'd be well-served, speaking of Matt Liston, to go see "Chasing October". There are some scenes of Prior pitching during the 2003 season -- you can tell the difference in his body language right away. Rich Hill will also throw today, but Kerry Wood, who was originally supposed to pitch in this game, will face the Giants in Mesa tomorrow instead.
Today's media availabilities include MLB.TV, and a MLB Audio broadcast featuring the Padres radio crew (presumably, including ex-WGN'er Andy Masur). It's also on CSN Chicago for those who have access to that channel.
Finally, Cactus League attendance this year is on a near-record pace:
Discuss amongst yourselves.