One of my favorite things about Spring Training is the insight it gives into the individual players’ desires for the upcoming season. While you can paint with too broad of a brush, I tend to think the guys who show up early for Spring Training are the ones who really want to perform in the upcoming season, and are the ones who are the most dedicated to the team.
This is, of course, totally unfair – these guys are professionals, and many work out in their own facilities until they have to report to camp. The fact that they’re working out in Florida or the Dominican Republic, for example, as opposed to Mesa doesn’t mean they aren’t excited about 2011 or eager to help the Cubs win.
But that said – I can’t help it. I just love it when guys show up early.
So to that end, I’m pleased to share that at least five important players on the 2011 Cubs have already reported to Spring Training (pitchers and catchers aren’t due until Sunday): pitchers Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, Randy Wells, outfielder Marlon Byrd, and catcher Geovany Soto. That’s in addition to the many players who were already in Mesa participating in Camp Colvin, including the eponymous Tyler Colvin. I’m sure there are more.
The information comes courtesy of Tim Sheridan, who runs the excellent Boys of Spring site (and who serves as the PA Announcer for games at HoHoKam). Tim also has a few pictures here; and to get you as excited as I am for Spring Training to get underway, here’s one of them (it’s ok to giggle with childish glee):