Monday, March 31, 2008

First of All...

Always plenty of "firsts" to go around on Opening Day. Probably most noteworthy from the Cubs' perspective was new addition Kosuke Fukudome hitting a double on the very first pitch he saw. But the first "first" I saw happened on my way to Wrigley. I was cutting through the Cubby Bear parking lot when I passed a noticeably agitated Lincoln Park "Trixie" deep in conversation on her phone.

"Ok... Wait... Stop... Listen, I've always been honest with you, Joe..."

Yep, I believe I was witness to the very first breakup of the season. Hang in there, Joe, wherever you are. You're probably better off without her.

As for the game itself, after eight innings of well-pitched baseball, Cubs and Brewers were scoreless. Then Kerry Wood comes on in the top of the 9th and promptly gives up three runs. Not to be outdone, the Brewers' closer, Eric Gagne returns the favor when Dome hits a three-run homer in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game. Brewers go on to score one in the 10th and the Cubs lose, 4-3. Obviously not the best way to start the season, but it was exciting, and easily could have ended up in the W column.

Oh, and without a doubt, my favorite "first" of opening day was when Kerry Wood drilled Rickie Weeks with his very first pitch. If intentional, probably not the smartest of moves, considering it was the top of the 9th in a as of yet still scoreless game. And it's very possible that this pitch just simply got away from Kerry. But I saw the replay, and considering he's had excellent control as of late, DeRosa was hit earlier, and Wood just has that warrior mentality, I think he saw this a perfect opportunity to stick up for his teammates and deliver a message to a division rival.

More firsts... Prince Fielder hits the first foul ball out of the park - a long blast onto Sheffield but clearly foul. Felix Pie hit one onto Sheffield as well, but also foul.

Out of the Ballpark Totals:
Monday, March 31: No BP, HR-0, Foul-2 [W-0,S-2], Roof-0
Season: BP-8 [W-7,S-1], HR-0, Foul-2 [W-0,S-2], Roof-0

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Meet The New Field

Definitely not the same as the old field.

The Cubs and the Brewers got a jump on the 2008 season by having a workout at Wrigley Field today. I imagine it was the first time many of them had seen Wrigley since the field was redone during the offseason. All reports indicate that everything is a lot smoother, and at least initially, the field will be much faster. Hard grounders and gap shots will be interesting to watch these first few weeks.

But a long home run out onto Waveland (or Sheffield) will still be the same - and both teams took the opportunity to launch a few during the workout. And a few ballhawks (and passers-by) took the opportunity to try and catch the season's first pearls. The Cubs drew first blood - check out this dent on the hood of a car parked on Waveland.


I had a good day, catching three out of the seven that came out on Waveland. Slim reports that one came out on Sheffield, compliments of Kosuke Fukudome. Not a bad way to start the season - even if it was a day early...

Out of the Ballpark Totals:
Sunday, March 30: BP-8 [W-7,S-1], HR-0, Foul-0, Roof-0
Season: BP-8 [W-7,S-1], HR-0, Foul-0, Roof-0