…because they lost the opener.
Ok, that was bad. Somehow we have to find a way to soothe the sting of losing such a tough game - at home - to the rival Brewers. And somehow, Big Z has to figure out where the water cooler is in the dugout!
Today in pre-game ceremonies outside Wrigley, the new Ernie Banks statue was unveiled to crowd of fans and noteables. Ernie was joined by Hank Aaron, Minnie Minoso, Billy Williams, Fergie Jenkins, Ron Santo, and an array of politicos. Aaron was most engaging in relating stories of how he would look forward to playing in Wrigley to take advantage of the wind blowing out (and likely some soft Cubs pitching), and how Ernie always wore a heavy shirt in the warm weather. Aaron questioned Ernie on this one day and his reply was that wearing a heavy shirt made the body cooler. Hammerin’ Hank thanked Banks for that advice, calling it the “gospel truth”.
There was an interesting claim made by Crane Kenney in his introductions that may make some headlines. He said there was a game (he gave the exact date) in the early 60’s when Cubs manager Whitey Lockman was ejected from a game, leaving Ernie Banks as the manager for the day. Kenney claimed Ernie as the first African-American manager in the Major Leagues, pre-dating Frank Robinson by two years!
For a team who has played 133 Major League seasons and the only statue was of a broadcaster, its long time coming to immortalize one of their players: Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks.
The ‘08 season starts for real today for the Chicago Cubs, weather permitting. Virtually every baseball pundit is predicting the Cubs to win the NL Central Division. Many of them further choose the Cubs to win the NL Pennant, putting the beloved Cubbies in the World Series for the first time in 53 years. Few, though, predict the Cubs to take it all with a World Series victory. Is all this confidence in the ‘08 Cubs a good sign or a bad one? Is it possible the Cub players themselves are taking the Division Title as a given, looking past the regular season toward October, even before the first official pitch has been thrown at Wrigley? This is wear the surly and savvy old master, Sweet Lou Pinella will earn his money. His challenge is to keep his guys focused and motivated - taking care of the business before them.
To me, today feels a lot like August 8, 1988, the date of the scheduled first night game at Wrigley Field. There was so much buildup, so much excitement you could feel it crackling in the air. They played I believe just an inning or two before being rained out. …I wonder if any Cubs will be sliding into home on the wet field tarp during today’s inevitable rain delay?
So “play ball”, Godspeed, and GO CUBS! Will the Cubs be great in ‘08? I can’t say for sure at this point, but I bet they will be interesting…
I liked Lou’s flip-flop of Soraino and Fukudome yesterday in the final preseason game for the Cubs. We don’t have a legit leadoff man, but Fukudome second, followed by Lee, Ramirez, Soriano makes a mighty powerful middle of the order. Here is what I would write on the 2008 opening day Cubs lineup card:
Tom Skilling says to expect a high of 66 for Opening Day:
“Chilly early. Rain/t-storms diminishing by afternoon. Turning much warmer with strong south winds. Southern sections reach the 70s.”
Thats better than 34 degrees and flurries - seemingly the usual Wrigley Opening Day weather…
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Cubs signed OF Reed Johnson 2 days after being released by the Toronto Blue Jays. Apparently the guy brings a stick, with his .281 lifetime average, but he’s not exactly a “name” acquistion. Actually most of that batting average came from his 2006 season where in 134 games he hit .319 with 12 HRs. I guess Jim Hendry is looking to add small pieces and go with what he has. All the Brian Roberts and Coco Crisp talked has produced nothing, but time remains on those players….
Lou Pinella announced the lineup & rotation he will start the season with. Unlike Dusty Baker, I would expect Lou to try and keep things pretty consistent until the need for change becomes obvious. Here’s what Lou put forth today…
Lineup
Rotation
Bullpen
Personally, I would rather see this lineup:
Soriano stikes out too much for the 2 hole. I’d rather see a high OBP guy like Fukudome batting 2nd, with Soriano 5th where more of a free swinger belongs. Theriot is not the ideal lead off guy but likely the best of this crew. Soto - if he improves on his impressive rookie year - can offer some protection for Soriano. I guess Lou is sensitive to taking pressure off of Pie & Fukudome, but to me they would be out of position.
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