Opening Day is HERE and I am Irrationally Excited and Other Bullets

Apr 05, 2012

BOOM. Opening Day’d. I am a fool in love.

Jed Hoyer is bummed that the Cubs couldn’t find another lefty to suit their needs in the bullpen, but I suppose that’s something that could still happen. “Ideally, we would’ve been able to find another lefty,” Hoyer said. “We haven’t matched up yet. I think it’s safe to say it’s something we’ll be looking to do during the first part of the season to try to find another lefty. Russell is a very good left-hander, but having two would make life easier for Dale [Sveum].” If Rodrigo Lopez is going to be called up soon to join the pen, it’s fair to wonder: who goes out if the Cubs add another lefty?

Speaking of the pen, Theo Epstein acknowledges that, after the losses of Sean Marshall, Andrew Cashner, and Jeff Samardzija, the pen looks a bit weaker on paper. “That’s a good bullpen right there just with the guys we’ve taken away,” Epstein said. “To be honest with you most clubs address it all year long, so whoever we select to start the season with, that’s not necessarily the final answer. Let’s be realistic.” Epstein’s right, there will be changes, probably as soon as next week. But, as he said, here’s me being realistic: Marmol/Wood/Russell/Camp/Dolis/Castillo is a really scary bullpen, and not in a Nasty Boys kind of way. Good bullpens seem to come out of nowhere every year, though, so who knows.

There are a number of changes you might notice at Wrigley Field today, including the completed patio area in right field, together with the new LED board. There is also at least one Target logos on the smaller outfield doors, a soft-toss/batting cage area in left field under the bleachers, and empty offices, which have been relocated across the street. I believe there are some new food options, too.

On the new patio/rooftop-style seating area in right field, Jeff Baker joked that it could get ugly when fans try to reach down over the new LED board to retrieve a home run from the basket out there. “That’s going to be nightmare, people trying to jump over and ‘Curious George’ it down in the basket,” Baker said with a laugh, per Paul Sullivan. “It looks like a cool place to watch the game though.” It’ll be a cool place to watch the game for at least a week, until the smell from the corpses below reach the patio.

Now that Spring Training is over, you get a flurry of quotes about what it was like for the players, which necessarily imply some not-so-flattering things about how Mike Quade ran the show. Take, for example, this one from Alfonso Soriano: “This manager and coaching staff made us work much harder this Spring. They are very honest with you and treat each player with a lot of respect, I really like that style.“

Bryan LaHair remains 50/50 for today’s game, though he’s “optimistic.” If he can’t go, there’s a chance he’ll be put on the disabled list to start the year. Those back issues can linger, man. Blake DeWitt would probably draw the start in LaHair’s absence, which, like, yeah. As much as LaHair is a question mark, at least he might make the pitcher a *little* nervous.

You DirecTV users can breathe a sigh of relief: the Trib and DirecTV have reached a deal so that you’ll get your Cubs on Opening Day on WGN.

Paul Sullivan looks at nine issues facing the 2012 Cubs, and concludes things with a very frank: “This ain’t the year.”

The Ricketts Family has settled a dispute with a long-time Chicago vendor, who had set up shop in the McDonald’s parking lot across from Wrigley Field. After buying that McDonald’s, the Ricketts sought to set up their own Chicago merchandise shop, and got into a bit of a scrape with the previously-existing tenant. But, as I said, it’s now been settled (and you’ll see the huge merchandise area when you head to Wrigley).

The Iowa Cubs still haven’t released their final roster or named an Opening Day starter. You can understand the roster part, given that it could or could not include Tony Campana, depending on Bryan LaHair’s back, and there could be other 40-man roster moves that impact it. But no Opening Day starter yet? Surely the team knows who’s going to go, and who is on what rest. So why wouldn’t they have named him yet? Is it a “just in case there’s a trade” situation?

Patrick Mooney profiles Theo Epstein, and it’s swell.

The winners of the “Pledge” Ticket Giveaway have been selected, and emailed. There were so many good pledges that I couldn’t choose the two “best,” so I gathered up all the good ones, and selected two of them randomly. Congrats to BN’ers Packman711 and Derrick Lloyd. Check your emails, gents, and get back to me.

If you didn’t win one of those tickets, I’ve got good news: I’ve still got one more ticket (bleachers) to the April 12 game to give away. Should be a lot of BN’ers at the game, so it should be a fun one to go to. If you want the ticket, here’s what you do: show up in today’s Game Thread on the Message Board during the game, and tell me you want the ticket. That’s it. I’ll select someone at random after the game to give the ticket to. Pretty simple.

I recorded a podcast last week with The Central Message, and they just now got around to posting it (I kid – going up on Opening Day was intentional). You can listen here. Those guys are a lot of fun (it’s a Cubs fan and a Cards fan trying to play nice). I show up around the 43 minute range.

And then I did another podcast yesterday on a variety of Cubs-related topics with MidwayMadness. (I show up pretty early, and yes, I need to find a better place to talk on the phone.) Also a blast. They’ve had some heavy-hitters on their podcast before, so I was honored. It’s fair to say I’m growing addicted to guesting on podcasts.

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Lineup: Ian Happ at DH Tonight

CUBS LINEUP — The Atlanta Braves are one of, if not the toughest opponent the Cubs will face this season. But Seiya Suzuki is back, Cody Bellinger is back, and Shota Imanaga is on the mound. This Cubs team is...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLB Has a New Streaming Home For Its ‘Sunday Leadoff’ Games

Fans can now watch MLB games via Roku. Do with that what you will. The "MLB Sunday Leadoff" games will begin this weekend. The first game, featuring the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, starts at 12:05 p.m. CT,...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Move: Alzolay to the IL, Cuas Returns

It felt like this situation with Adbert Alzolay could not go on much longer, and it has now resolved itself with an Injured List move. Today, the Cubs placed Alzolay on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. Jose...

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Let’s See How They Measure Up in Atlanta: Cubs vs Braves Series Preview

Cubs vs Braves — Six of the Cubs next ten games come against the Atlanta Braves, and the first three are on the road starting tonight. And while the Cubs did recently get Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger, and Justin Steele...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLB Pipeline Added Two MORE Cubs to Their Top-100

Over the weekend, MLB Pipeline updated their top-100 MLB Prospect Rankings, with eight new players making the list after graduations and other considerations. And TWO of those players, Moises Ballesteros and Jefferson Rojas, are Chicago Cubs prospects. All together, that...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

For the Second Time in a Few Days, Birthday Boy Nico Hoerner Saved the Game

A happy 27th birthday to Chicago Cubs second baseman, and fill-in shortstop, Nico Hoerner. He is currently hitting a career-best .275/.364/.399/122 wRC+, and walking more often (9.7%) than he's striking out (9.1%). He has been absolutely scorching over the past...

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Padres Best the Dodgers, Skenes Debut Reactions, Guardians New Threads, More

The Dodgers have a comfortable lead in the NL West, but the Padres are proving to themselves that they can make this a two-horse race. Plus, reactions from Paul Skenes' major league debut and more in today's MLB Notes. Padres...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

David Peralta Has Opted Out of His Minor League Deal with the Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have had veteran outfielder David Peralta around as emergency depth going back to Spring Training, when he was working his way back from offseason arm surgery. But he might now be heading off to join another organization....

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | May 13, 2024: Homers by Davis, Mervis Not Enough in Iowa on Sunday

Brennen Davis and Matt Mervis hit home runs on Sunday for the Iowa Cubs, but it wasn't enough to earn the team a victory against the Columbus Clippers. That and more are in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

How I Feel About Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs Rotation Plans After Yesterday’s Start

Yesterday, the Chicago Cubs won a game started by Kyle Hendricks and closed by Adbert Alzolay. Factually, that is what happened. I know. That's wild. Of course, that's what would've been the expected outcome last season for two of the...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

Jared Goff Becomes the Highest-Paid Lion Ever!

The Detroit Lions have been busy in recent weeks securing their core after a run to the NFC title game last season. Jared Goff became the latest player to get a new deal in Detroit, and he became the highest-paid...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLB Has a New Streaming Home For Its ‘Sunday Leadoff’ Games

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Move: Alzolay to the IL, Cuas Returns

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Lineup: Ian Happ at DH Tonight

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

News

Where is the 2024 PGA Championship? Valhalla Golf Club Course Details

The PGA Championship, which is the second major of the 2024 calendar, will hold its 106th edition at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, from May 16-19. The course was designed by the all-time major champion, Jack Nicklaus, and is ranked as the top course...

Ryan Noonan

May 13, 2024

MLB

How to Watch Marlins Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

The South Florida sun is shining, and there’s plenty of baseball still to be played at loanDepot Park. Whether you're cheering the Marlins on from the stands or following the action remotely, they have a loaded remaining 2024 MLB schedule....

Brian Twining

May 13, 2024

News

All-Time PGA Championship Winners

The PGA Championship is one of four major championships on the men's professional golf calendar, alongside the Masters, U.S. Open, and Open Championship. Since its inception in 1916, the PGA Championship has been held every year, with the exception of...

Ryan Noonan

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

Antoine Winfield Jr Signs Record-Breaking Extension

The Buccaneers have made Antoine Winfield Jr the highest-paid defensive back in the history of the NFL. On Monday afternoon, Winfield Jr and Tampa Bay agreed to a four-year, $84.1 million deal. It also guarantees the Bucs' star $45 million....

Matt Rooney

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

Bears Rookie Minicamp Takeaways: Caleb Williams and the Best of the Rest

I've said it, and I'll continue to say it: this chapter of Chicago Bears football feels different. Perhaps it's because the last time we did this, we were in a pandemic, and when the Bears jumped up to No. 11...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

MLB

How to Watch Mets Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

Citi Field is electric, the energy is palpable, and the New York Mets are in the thick of the chase! Whether you're a die-hard Mets fan bleeding blue and orange or following the Amazin' Mets from afar, their remaining MLB...

Brian Twining

May 13, 2024

Opening Day is HERE and I am Irrationally Excited and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular