SPRING TRAINING REPORT: CUBS vs. RANGERS
I've never been a Rangers fan -- in fact, I know practically nothing about them. But because Sammy Sosa has joined their lineup and two of their starters, Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla, are starters for my fantasy team, I'm paying attention.
Right now, in the bottom of the 7th, it's 7-6 Cubs just moments after Daryle Ward (LF) hit a ball into right, allowing speed-demon Ronny Cedeno (SS/2B) to slide into home plate from 2nd with nary a nanosecond to spare. Like the Cubs game I reported on below, this one has been exhilarating.
I know its early, but the chemistry and distribution of power and talent for the Cubbies this year feels like winner magic. It's a magic the Giants and especially the Nationals still don't have.
More about Cedeno. He barehanded a ball on a one-hop earlier in the game, throwing without blinking to Derek Lee at first to get out Sammy Sosa. Ah, that felt good. And Jacque Jones, who used to be with Minnesota, has found his muse, either in manager Lou Piniella or in someone who can't be seen with mortal eyes. A few innings ago, he tied the game with a 2-run homer -- his 2nd this spring -- after the Cubs trailed 6-4. He's one of 3 Cubbies on my fantasy team, so I'm thrilled to watch him find his groove.
Soriano, Ramirez, Jones, Lee, Cedeno, Izturis, Barrett, Cliff Floyd, Zambrano, Lilly, Rich Hill, Scott Eyre -- all these guys are clicking like teeth in well-oiled gears. Newcomers like Felix Pie, reliever Les Walrond (who today schooled Mark Texeira even in the face of a double steal), and Ryan Theriot bring fresh new things.
Lou Piniella stood in front of the press many weeks ago and said the Cubs were going to contend, that they were going to the championships. He managed to say that without sounding like an arrogant dick. You got this sense that he perfectly understands what's wrong with the 21st C. Cubbies and has plans for fixing them. He's got a team with few weak links, a whole lot of power, depth in the bullpen, and an ace in Carlos Zambrano, our beloved Angry Baby Giant™.
Erik and I chatted last year about why Z gets no respect (from a celebrity standpoint) although he's clearly the Cubs strongest pitcher. He's lived in the shadow of Mark Prior, Greg Maddux, and Kerry Wood -- even though he's a better, stronger, and more consistent performer than any of them. Well, his patience has paid off. He's the star among starters. From a business point of view, he has a whole lot to gain by bringing his very best this year -- he has a one-year contract and an opportunity to help carry his team to playoffs. That will make him wildly valuable as he nears free-agent status. I say expect a fantastic year from the Angry Baby Giant™.
And a year of performance from the Cubbies that may rival hot sex in the gratification department.
Uh, oh, Michael Wuertz is shutting things down in the top of the 9th. Here it comes. Full count, 2 outs. Man on 1st. Cubs up 7-6. Fans are on their feet, chanting and clapping. Catcher just came out to the mound, giving Wuertz a moment to collect himself. Oh, shit, he walked the batter. Men on 1st and 2nd. Next batter blasted the ball just foul in left field (nail-biter!). 2 strikes. All we need is one more, Michael, just one more. Fuck, the batter blew it into right field, allowing the man at 2nd to get home. See my pouty face. All kinds of run-down mayhem ensued, but the Cubbies finally got the out they needed to close the inning. Now, the game is tied.
I'll leave it at that. You'll have to check the scoreboard for the final word. Ciao.
UPDATE: Couldn't resist, since it just got exciting. Bottom of the 9th, the bases are loaded with Cubbies, 1 out. Ronny Cedeno yet again contributed to that situation, proving that the Cubs are behaving like men hungry for wins. Daryle Ward is up, the count is 2-2, still only 1 out. Foul, foul, foul (more nailbiting!).
Holy mother, a game ending GRAND SLAM from Daryle Ward! Cubs win! Cubs win! Cubs win! Gotta go dance around the apartment!
Right now, in the bottom of the 7th, it's 7-6 Cubs just moments after Daryle Ward (LF) hit a ball into right, allowing speed-demon Ronny Cedeno (SS/2B) to slide into home plate from 2nd with nary a nanosecond to spare. Like the Cubs game I reported on below, this one has been exhilarating.
I know its early, but the chemistry and distribution of power and talent for the Cubbies this year feels like winner magic. It's a magic the Giants and especially the Nationals still don't have.
More about Cedeno. He barehanded a ball on a one-hop earlier in the game, throwing without blinking to Derek Lee at first to get out Sammy Sosa. Ah, that felt good. And Jacque Jones, who used to be with Minnesota, has found his muse, either in manager Lou Piniella or in someone who can't be seen with mortal eyes. A few innings ago, he tied the game with a 2-run homer -- his 2nd this spring -- after the Cubs trailed 6-4. He's one of 3 Cubbies on my fantasy team, so I'm thrilled to watch him find his groove.
Soriano, Ramirez, Jones, Lee, Cedeno, Izturis, Barrett, Cliff Floyd, Zambrano, Lilly, Rich Hill, Scott Eyre -- all these guys are clicking like teeth in well-oiled gears. Newcomers like Felix Pie, reliever Les Walrond (who today schooled Mark Texeira even in the face of a double steal), and Ryan Theriot bring fresh new things.
Lou Piniella stood in front of the press many weeks ago and said the Cubs were going to contend, that they were going to the championships. He managed to say that without sounding like an arrogant dick. You got this sense that he perfectly understands what's wrong with the 21st C. Cubbies and has plans for fixing them. He's got a team with few weak links, a whole lot of power, depth in the bullpen, and an ace in Carlos Zambrano, our beloved Angry Baby Giant™.
Erik and I chatted last year about why Z gets no respect (from a celebrity standpoint) although he's clearly the Cubs strongest pitcher. He's lived in the shadow of Mark Prior, Greg Maddux, and Kerry Wood -- even though he's a better, stronger, and more consistent performer than any of them. Well, his patience has paid off. He's the star among starters. From a business point of view, he has a whole lot to gain by bringing his very best this year -- he has a one-year contract and an opportunity to help carry his team to playoffs. That will make him wildly valuable as he nears free-agent status. I say expect a fantastic year from the Angry Baby Giant™.
And a year of performance from the Cubbies that may rival hot sex in the gratification department.
Uh, oh, Michael Wuertz is shutting things down in the top of the 9th. Here it comes. Full count, 2 outs. Man on 1st. Cubs up 7-6. Fans are on their feet, chanting and clapping. Catcher just came out to the mound, giving Wuertz a moment to collect himself. Oh, shit, he walked the batter. Men on 1st and 2nd. Next batter blasted the ball just foul in left field (nail-biter!). 2 strikes. All we need is one more, Michael, just one more. Fuck, the batter blew it into right field, allowing the man at 2nd to get home. See my pouty face. All kinds of run-down mayhem ensued, but the Cubbies finally got the out they needed to close the inning. Now, the game is tied.
I'll leave it at that. You'll have to check the scoreboard for the final word. Ciao.
UPDATE: Couldn't resist, since it just got exciting. Bottom of the 9th, the bases are loaded with Cubbies, 1 out. Ronny Cedeno yet again contributed to that situation, proving that the Cubs are behaving like men hungry for wins. Daryle Ward is up, the count is 2-2, still only 1 out. Foul, foul, foul (more nailbiting!).
Holy mother, a game ending GRAND SLAM from Daryle Ward! Cubs win! Cubs win! Cubs win! Gotta go dance around the apartment!
posted by Andrew at
5:41 PM
1 Comments:
SWEET!
I've been paying very little attention so far to spring training--another one of those superstitions I have when it comes to baseball--but I loved the recap of this game. I even started biting my nails as I was reading!
Think I'm going to listen to the Cubs v. Giants outing from Saturday a little later today.
By
Erik, at 10:38 AM
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