Yesterday’s attendance – 26,292 – was the lowest at Wrigley Field since 2002. Weather, economy, and opponent sure contributed, but it’s hard to argue that interest in the team is at a low point in recent memory. Like it or not, making money is good for the future of the franchise, so hopefully folks return to the ballpark. Wins, like yesterday, will help…
But probably not helping the attendance? The Cubs have the third highest average ticket price, standing at a whopping $46.90.
Mike Quade has aggressively used his roster so far this season – he used 11 positional players and six pitchers yesterday – and plans to continue apace. “There was a veteran Triple-A player who used to play for me. When I told him I was giving him a day off, he’d say, ‘I don’t have a day off, I’m just not starting.’ I absolutely love that. And I think most of these guys feel that way. Guys know who’s playing every day. They know I’m rotating the outfielders, and the middle infielders have contributed like a son of a gun.”
Included in that aggressive usage are relievers Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol, who have each pitched three consecutive days. You’ve got to believe they will both be unavailable today (read: they better be unavailable). Wood, ominously, had this to say about the usage: “I didn’t throw any back-to-backs in camp. “But I felt good all spring. I popped up today and I was loose in eight or nine throws. I’m sure in August I won’t get ready in nine pitches after three in a row, but right now, it’s nice.”
Starlin Castro was the NL Player of the Week last week (together with some pitcher for the Cardinals…) after going 8 for 13, with a .643 OBP and a 1.000 SLG. Yes, he’s good.
Andrew Cashner is excited for his first ML start today. Which, duh.