Spring Training

Is It Time For Spring Training To Count?

Posted on by Mark Gauthier

Arizona League

As Spring training officially got under way, the excitement or honeymoon phase of the Chicago Cubs World Series victory is in full force. Yesterday, in front of a sold out Sloan park in Arizona, the Cubs treated the Oakland Athletics to a lesson of why they have the hardware. A 4-3 win.

“It was different,” Chicago starter Mike Montgomery said of the loud reception. “I’ve been in a few Spring Trainings now, and it was definitely a different experience. It was hard to control the adrenaline today a little bit. Usually in spring, it’s more laid back. Today, there was a lot of energy out there.”

This also marks an important transition for Kyle Schwarber as he takes on the Lead off role vacated by Dexter Fowler.

“What does a leadoff hitter look like anymore?” Maddon said. “There aren’t many of those high-on-base-percentage basestealing types. Guys don’t want to run as much because it beats their bodies up. It’s not easy to be a 50-bag guy or more because of what it does to your legs, your wrist, your hands. You’ll see, on occasion, guys who will go, but not like [Lou] Brock or [Maury] Wills or [Tim] Raines or guys who went all the time.”

A high point in yesterday’s game occurred when Len Kasper asked Joe Maddon some questions and Rajai Davis went up to bat and Maddon quipped, ‘You remember him?”

Yeah, we remember him Joe. These are the cool moments that happen in spring training that don’t necessarily occur during the regular season.

For the first time in a long while, the Cubs have a lot of expectations. They’re the champs after all. They’ll have to whip out the WD-40 and remove any rust from the machine, which brings me to another topic.

We all know that Cactus League games don’t amount to much other than an opportunity for players to strut their stuff and for rookies vying for a spot on the roster come Opening Day and for Canadian snowbirds to enjoy Cub baseball and the Blue Jays in Dunedin.

But what if spring training meant something?

With the recent rule changes regarding intentional walks, I believe it’s the right time for baseball to create a Sunshine Series pitting the Cactus League against the Grapefruit League.

Whether it be for bragging rights or playing for a different charity, it would be an opportune time to showcase some of the best rookies and players that might not make it onwards. It would also satisfy those south bound snowbirds. They could even have the defending World Series champion having to host it for example, this year’s championship would be in Arizona.

What do you think?

Canuck Cubbie’s All Over The Map

Posted on by Mark Gauthier

Chicago Cubs

 

Opening Day in baseball is unlike any other sport. It’s filled with tradition. Each player on their respective team has dreams of winning the World Series. Every team is equal on Opening Day.

“After Opening Day, we have 161 games left to play, and that’s our concern,” Arrieta said Wednesday. “It is an honor, obviously. I was able to get an Opening Day start early in my career, during a different point in my career. It’s kind of a new chapter not only for myself, but everybody here. We’re looking forward to the journey.” Jake Arrieta said after being named as Cubs’ starter.

Sure, you can say that every sport is ripe with tradition, whether it’s Walter Payton, Wayne Gretzky or Magic Johnson, but baseball is different. You can argue that there will be no other heroes like Babe Ruth, Ted Williams or Mickey Mantle but consider that baseball is “America’s Pastime” and these guys played in an era where change and strife were prevalent in North America. Baseball helps forget and in many ways, heal. Those three hours are spent catching up with friends, teaching the kids about strike zones and curveballs and taking a breather from those “everyday stresses”

That’s why I love the game.

Today, the Cubs begin the Spring Training season playing the Brewers. It’s an opportunity to see young players try to earn spots on the roster but really just a glimpse into the game and what is to come.

“You’ll see guys all over the map, you’ll see different batting orders,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “I think we’re all eager to start playing a game a little bit.”

With all the talk and hype over the winter, I’m anxious to get the ball rolling on a new season. Everywhere I go, people are surprised and stunned a little bit that baseball is back.

“Where did the winter go?”

We’ve had some nasty weather recently and sub zero temperatures here, so seeing the Arizona trees is a welcome sight.

Believe it.

Opening Day is About Family

Posted on by Mark Gauthier

Baseball, Opening Day, Easter

Opening Day is almost upon us. As my son would say, “In two more sleeps, Daddy” Usually, we take the day off work, fire up the barbecue, throw something succulent on the grill and open all the windows. Yup, Opening Day is the unofficial start to spring.

This year, it falls on Easter Sunday so it’s going to be extra special. Family and friends will gather around for ham and potatoes and other untraditional ballpark eats. I’m only disappointed because I was looking forward to savouring nachos and cheese and something drenched with a lot of barbecue sauce.

So now that Spring Training is winding down with the Cubs set to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight, what did you think of the new look Cubs? Do you think the predictions will come true or are they over hyped?

Then there’s the predicament of the Kris Bryant situation. Yeah, it’s not the ideal situation that he won’t be there Opening Day but he’ll get there soon. I think fans will get over it. Besides, it shows the amount of depth the club has if they kept him down.

“I don’t want to say I’m mad or anything,” Bryant said Thursday of his reaction to the news. “I’m extremely disappointed. I wanted to go out there and my performance mattered, and to me, it felt like it didn’t matter as much as I thought it would. I went out there and played as hard as I can and did everything I could. I’m just disappointed.”

Jon Lester was brought in to lead the Cubs to a place they haven’t been in a very long time. I’ve liked what I’ve seen this spring with him and he’s a very grounded pitcher. He comes in, does his job with no questions asked.

“At the field, he’s business,” Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel said of Lester. “When he’s not working, it’s pretty much all about fun. Obviously, you aren’t in the dugout with us, but during games, he’s hilarious. He’s watching the game, but he knows how to keep it light. He’s been around long enough to know you have to have some kind of quirkiness to get through the season. You get a bunch of different characters on a team.”

I believe this year will have a completely different vibe than the others. Of course, Wrigley Field has undergone some changes along with the team, but for once since 2008, the team are competitors. They’re not rebuilding, they’re building on the future.

Did everyone get their fantasy teams picked and ready for the season? I picked up Kyle Hendricks, Anthony Rizzo, Miguel Montero, Arismendy Alcantara and Neil Ramirez. I know, I know that’s way too many Cubs players, but I’m predicting a Wild Card entry and perhaps, cross your fingers, an extended playoff run.

Cliches of “every team is in first place” will surely be written throughout the nation but there’s something more magical about Opening Day.

It transcends the game. It goes beyond baseball contracts, television deals and sports agents. Opening Day is about togetherness, unity and the spirit of fairness.

For the players, it could be their first Opening Day. All the years of practice and hard work for this moment to stare into an afternoon sunshine knowing that this is their moment. The Coach is putting them in. This is the one day of the year that even if the team loses, they’re winners.

For parents it’s an opportunity to take pride watching their sons thinking back to those T Ball days and Little Leagues. On Opening Day, their children are grown up and instead of tote bag giveaways and promotions, maybe teams should give out tissues.

Opening Day is about believing

Joe Maddon is Sinatra of Baseball

Posted on by Mark Gauthier

Joe Maddon, Chicago Cubs, baseball, Spring Training

Joe Maddon Does It His Way

There’s one thing that few people will ever disagree with and that is Joe Maddon is a genius. I’m not talking Albert Einstein smarts either, if Al were standing in the dugout this season, then the Cubs probably all would have E=MC2 on the back of their jerseys.

Then there’s the work of Javier Baez. He’s been striking out this spring. He’s 13 for 37. Not good numbers and certainly not the kind that the Cubs expected, but he’s got power and everyone is agreeing that his defensive skills are turning out to be a lot more valuable than his offence.

“He’s always going to strike out,” Maddon said. “It’s not even about strikeouts, it’s about organizing his strike zone a little better. … If he could somehow get to be a better decision-maker and then test that forceful swing he’s got in the strike zone, let’s see what happens there.”

You see? Joe Maddon’s got all the answers.

You know, even if the Cubs don’t win this season, and I mean win it all, it’s going to be a creative year. It could test fan’s patience but also it could turn out to be a very entertaining year. We all know that the last few years have been less than entertaining. Frustrating? Oh yeah.

Then there’s the question of Walk Up Music

“That’s something for Twitter right there,” Maddon said. “You could put out there, I need three songs — one for yelling at an umpire, changing a pitcher and getting thrown out.”

I have a few suggestions for Joe when it comes to music:

“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by The Rolling Stones– a great song for arguing with the Ump. Let’s face it, arguing with the umpire is like the futility of resistance with the Borg.

“Unkind” by Sloan– When there’s a pitching change. Nothing’s better than hand claps and gang vocals. This one’s for you 

“My Way” by Frank Sinatra There’s nothing sweeter than walking off any field on your own terms, doing it the way you want, when you want it.

Believe it

Welcome Back Chicago Cubs, We Missed You!

Posted on by Mark Gauthier

Chicago Cubs, Spring Training, baseball

This is it folks, the Chicago Cubs begin their quest for the World Series today in Split Squad action against the Oakland A’s and the San Francisco Giants. We’ll see (or hear) all the usual suspects like Jorge Soler, Starlin Castro, Anthony Rizzo and Mike Olt. I bummed it’s only available in audio but you know, I’ll be listening.

So sit back, relax and welcome Cubs baseball back for another season. This is also the Unofficial launch of The Canuck Cubbie blog 2015 style.

Oh what to do, what to do? More than likely, I’ll be switching back and forth between streams but that Oakland/Cubs lineup looks pretty interesting. Of course everyone would like to see Kris Bryant in action and that’s intriguing to the ears.

“I’m ready,” Castro said. “I’m excited because I didn’t finish the season playing and I’ve had a long time that I didn’t play a game. I feel real excited for the first game.”

Ok, I’ve decided this year to learn more about SaberMetrics. Seeing how both Maddon and Epstein are gurus and students of the science, I thought I’d try to educate myself a little more. So that’s my baseball goal for the season. Might even take a Moog course in the craft.

I’ve always been a traditionalist and purist, relying more on Avg. RBI, Hits and HR but the times are a changing and it’s always great to learn new things.

With all these different lineups today, it presents some very cool scenarios as to how the season is going to play out.

“Honestly, I just want to try guys in different slots, especially in a split-squad situation, it’s really different,” Joe Maddon said. “You’ll see them in different spots the whole camp.”

My only complaint about Spring Training is I wish they would try and incorporate it into the regular season. Perhaps the Grapefruit League plays the Cactus League for a trophy at the end and proceeds go to charity. I don’t know, I’ve always felt baseball has the coolest spring training set up in sports and they have the opportunity to do something great with it.

Believe it.

Chicago Cubs Can’t Catch a Break

Posted on by Mark Gauthier

Spring Training, Chicago Cubs, Welington Castillo

Did everyone watch a lot of baseball yesterday? Tomorrow is the big day when the Chicago Cubs play a split squad against the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics in Spring Training action. I could talk about everything that’s exciting about this year’s edition of the Northsiders, but faithful readers, you all ready know that.

Instead, let’s talk about that situation behind the plate. What to do, oh what to do?

Currently, the Cubs have three catchers in Welington Castillo, Miguel Montero and David Ross. The Chicago Cubs don’t need three catchers and more than likely, Welington Castillo will probably find another club to play for come Opening Day.

It’s unfortunate, but a reality and I’m sure he knows that.

“If Castillo is on the team as a third catcher, it will be difficult to get playing time,” Maddon said. “Off the top of my head, it would be a situation where we’ll have to find a spot for him to start. You’ll probably want to run for David Ross, you’ll probably want to run for Montero late in the game. You’d probably not be concerned at all about putting Welly back there because of his throwing ability and blocking ability.”

Now, going from a starter to a backup is probably not the situation Castillo would like to be in but the problems the Cubs are facing so far are very good problems to have.

“This game has a really cruel way of answering questions, and that’s why, right now, this is all theoretical stuff, and I get it,” Maddon said. “‘I don’t know’ is my best answer.”

Look at their pitching scenario. The five spot is a mess now that the Kyle Hendricks Experience is all but locked into the four spot. I think it’ll be wise to stick Travis Wood in there over Edwin Jackson.

Jackson needs to regroup this season and find his groove. I’m rooting for him but as Joe Maddon says,

“This game has a really cruel way of answering questions.”

Believe it

Cubs Dream Begins With Respect

Posted on by Mark Gauthier

I made a comment to my wife yesterday about next week. I told her that next week our lives will change.

Cactus League begins. Baseball ’s back.

Being the Unofficial Blogger of the Cubs in Canada, here is a great shot of @CoxRyan89 at the park in Arizona. In Ryan’s words, Theo was,”A cool guy”

Chicago Cubs, Theo Epstein, #LetsGo, #BaseballBegins

Ryan Cox @CoxRyan89 with Cubs GM Theo Epstein

Today is an exciting day when batters will take pitches from Jon Lester. This is where it all begins folks.

What kind of stuff will Lester bring to the team? Well Javier Baez, Mike Olt and Jorge Soler are going to find out.

This spring will have a lot of question marks attached, especially at third base, the hot corner and boy is it crowded. We have Mike Olt, Kris Bryant and newcomer Tommy La Stella. It’s going to be interesting because I think Mike Olt will start the season at third but inevitably the job will be handed over to Bryant.

With spring workouts to the soundtrack of Bruce Springsteen, Joe Maddon isn’t kidding anyone, he’s the Boss but with this much competition during spring training, it’s good to keep an open mind on every position and be creative.

“Respect 90” is a motto that Joe Maddon is using for the players this season. Is it his brand? Position Statement or tag line for the year. Ninety feet. That’s it. Believe in it. That’s what he wants the players to do.

“It really is the message I want to get out there,” Maddon said. “I believe if we respect that 90 feet every day, a lot of good things are going to happen here.”

This is an important season for the Cubs, the fans and the players. This is a season when everyone has to believe in something bigger than they are. The quest for the World Series isn’t about contract extensions, trophies, rings or even the glory; the quest for the World Series is about those kids in the schoolyards who had a dream. The World Series is about the parents sitting in the stands cheering their kids every step of the way. The World Series is about the Little League coaches smiling at their proteges in October.

The World Series is about believing.

Cubs Goal Is To Win It All

Posted on by Mark Gauthier

Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs, Spring Training, Arizona, #BaseballBegins

Setting goals is great. In fact it’s downright fantastic. Earlier this year, Anthony Rizzo predicted a National League Central crown. Not one to be outdone, but Cubs’ ace Jon Lester went ahead and gave the thumbs up to the be all end all prize of a World Series. Wow, that’s one hell of a lofty goal. It should be expected considering all the cash they paid for him.

This is important to the morale of the team because as the Chicago Cubs begin their quest for baseball’s ultimate prize, where a 90+ in the win column is the most important statistic in achieving this goal, the Cubs have to work together and become a well oiled machine.

Today, the Chicago Cubs are in my son Darcy’s words,”Tossing The Pass” they are warming up before next month’s kickoff to Spring Training games.

I would love to be in Arizona, soaking up that dry desert heat, maybe snagging an autograph like my “Eye in the Sky” Ryan Cox did in getting Kris Bryant’s John Hancock. If you would like to follow his adventures @CoxRyan89 he’s pretty cool.

This is the goal that I’ve set for the season. I’d like to become the Unofficial blog of The Chicago Cubs in Canada. That Great White North Side Bleacher Bum. Yup folks, I want to become that guy.

“We, the Chicago Cubs recognize in good faith that The Canuck Cubbie, is hereby designated Our Unofficial Blogger in Canada. He will represent the organization to the best of his writing abilities. His opinions are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization. However, as we embark on our most anticipated season since the Bush administration, we will take his heartfelt written words as a kind of motivational speech to boost the club’s morale and help end sport’s longest drought.”

Sincerely,

Tom Ricketts

So help me achieve this goal. Spread the word. It’s a shameless self promotion, but nothing ventured nothing gained, right?

Also, I would like to unite Cubs fans from Ryan Cox to @bleedcubbieblue Al Yellon. This is the most important season in a long time.

Believe it.

Cubs Season Begins With Teamwork

Posted on by Mark Gauthier

MLB Chicago Cubs Spring Training

Now that the “James Shields” sweepstakes are tied up, we can focus on Spring Training.

Nine days to go, baby!  To tell you the truth, the Cubs didn’t need James Shields. Not to take anything away from him, but the Cubs are in good shape as it is. It would have been nice though.

It looks like the Cubs are chomping at the bit to get the ahem, ball rolling. Jon Lester is all ready trying to get the boys together for some Cubs brotherhood sessions.

“Baseball’s such a weird sport, where you have nine individuals playing for a team. And if those nine individuals pull the same direction on the same rope, then you’re good. And that’s all we’re going to try to do, is come to Spring Training, mesh together and bond and become brothers and hopefully that takes us to the end, and if it doesn’t, we’ll keep busting our butt to get to that prize.”

This I like. He’s got a point. Look at hockey, if that guy isn’t on the receiving end of a one timer, that puck ain’t going into any net. Hockey is very much a team sport. Same with football as witnessed in the Super Bowl we just saw.

But baseball?

Yeah, it’s different. The pitcher is alone on the mound. Those three guys standing far back on the grass? Unless they run with their eyes closed, it’s just them and the ball. Keep your eyes on the ball. That’s what baseball’s all about.

So, what about the World Series champions? What do they do that is different from what everybody else is doing? I’ve noticed throughout the years that it boils down to the little things like not relying on the Ace for the strikeouts. Asking the right questions like,”What if our pitcher doesn’t get him out? How do we react?” In other words listening to each and every player on the team and compensating for their weaknesses.

San Francisco got it done, but it could have been Kansas City’s ring to get. Each team capitalized on those little things. Baseball isn’t won entirely by hitting the home runs. The best part about baseball is getting those guys on the bag home.

Sounds preachy but going forth this season, there’s a lot of energy in the Cub’s clubhouse and probably a lot of egos. The players have to remember that Joe Maddon is the manager, not the players. Anthony Rizzo is the team captain and has to lead by example. Starlin Castro has to put that hot dog attitude back in the cart and Javier Baez must realize that superstars aren’t born on talent, but patience and listening abilities.

It’s going to be an incredible season. Some might say a magical one, but if expectations fall short(and it probably will) fans and players have to take it in stride. Because there’s one saying that every Cubs fan has come to know and live by:

There’s always next year.

Believe it.