Pictures, Videos, Highlights, and Reactions to the Cubs’ Home Opening Cactus League Win

So I have a small confession to make. Before today’s 3-0 win over the Angels, I was “0” for my last 10 Cubs games.

I know, I know.

I didn’t want to keep going to the games – being such bad luck, and all – but I kept thinking my streak would end sooner or later, and I would never have to bring it up.

I mean, hell, they won 97 games in 2015, it couldn’t have been that easy to be present for so many loses, but it happened. But, all’s well that ends well, and the Cubs won their first game of Spring Training, today, and it was fantastic.

It also happened to be my very first visit to Arizona and Spring Training, and that, too, was excellent. Sloan Park is absolutely gorgeous and really reminiscent of Wrigley Field. Walking up to the gates, and waiting in the line to get in was even exciting. There was an odd buzz in the air, like the beginning of a movie, and the place was absolutely packed.

But me, I was excited before my plane even took off:

I might be almost 2,000 miles away, but I am technically on my way to watch a @Cubs game right now. pic.twitter.com/KEHp5AqWyY

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

It was a pretty quick, easy flight, but my cab from the airport to the hotel took forever. But, to be honest, it’s entirely possible that I had the “Night Before Christmas” syndrome, where my anxiousness and excitement made the seconds pass slower than they do on a microwave.

Still, when my cab arrived at Sloan Park and I took one step outside, I immediately heard “Go Cubs Go” blasting from a nearby tailgate, smelled beer and hot dogs in the air and felt the warmth of 80 degree heat and a desert sun for the first time in a long time.

After settling into my hotel, I made my way to the stadium … which, like I said, was packed:

Line for the right field hate. Think we're excited? #CubsSpringTraining pic.twitter.com/g1O2ne8yTi

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

Attendance @SloanParkMesa today was 15,466. A new record.

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

Having never been to Sloan Park before, I wanted to do my external walk around before I went into the stadium. On the outside of the first base wall, there are some excellent posters of some of our favorite Cubs (matched on the 3rd base side, as well):

I hear these guys are pretty good too. pic.twitter.com/BaxpPxTRHj

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

And from the outside, you can see the familiar Wrigley Field Marquee, with its Sloan Park twist:

That marquee looks familiar. pic.twitter.com/OuRuzUTQmn

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

Once I got inside, though, I was blown away. Maybe it was a secret only to me, but the stadium is fantastic. There’s just something about a sunny day, a fresh stadium and baseball.

Seriously, this place is awesome. pic.twitter.com/1H1BaE1ugC

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

Oh, and the food … did I mention the food yet?

Of course, I need fuel before the game starts. pic.twitter.com/W4BrcLGvZv

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

Did I mention that they have Portillos at @SloanParkMesa ?? They know their crowd well.

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

I didn’t partake in Portillo’s, but I love the fact that it exists. The only item on the menu is the Italian Beef…but, like, do you need anything else? After devouring that footlong Chicago Style Dog, crunchy chips and refreshing Modelo, the Cubs finally returned to my life:

And the @Cubs take the field! pic.twitter.com/VuYmm6QhtX

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

Pierce Johnson started the game for the Cubs, and I was pretty excited to see him for the first time:

Pierce Johnson is hitting 93 MPH in the first inning, on his fastball, his change-up is working too.

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

He gave up a couple of base hits to start the game off, which led to a pretty sticky situation:

Pierce Johnson vs. Mike Trout with runners at 1st and 2nd after 2 pitches. pic.twitter.com/3iV2eNPJXA

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

After a few pitches, Trout lifted one DEEP to center field – about 409 feet deep – and just missed a three-run home run. (Sidebar: it was very, very cool to finally see Mike Trout, in person, as well). After that, though, Johnson struck out the next batter and eventually got out of the inning unharmed.

Which meant it was time for the Cubs offense! Now featuring Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist, for the very first time! Mixed results ensued:

Ben Zobrist's first base hit. pic.twitter.com/CAmRKj7lKd

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

Heyward striking out on a 66 MPH pitch. pic.twitter.com/DxtyF0wfYu

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

That was one confused swing. After that, we got to get a look at Stephen Fife – who has had an interesting last year and a half:

Stephen Fife was bar tending just over six months ago, now he's pitching for the Cubs at Sloan.

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

But, to be perfectly honest, Fife looked pretty good out there and finished 2 innings, giving up just 1 hit, no walks and no runs while striking out 1. Then (I got another beer) Neil Ramirez took the mound:

Neil Ramirez hits 91 MPH in first pitch, pitching from the stretch.

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

Ramirez actually looked pretty good in his outing (1 IP, 1H, 0BB, 0R), and eventually hit 92 MPH on consecutive pitches. For his first spring outing, that is actually pretty encouraging. Look for his velocity to continue ramping up his as the spring rolls on.

Overshadowing Ramirez’s outing, though, were two big plays – one not so good:

A pop fly finds ground between Jason Heyward and Dexter Fowler. pic.twitter.com/yDd6XMhcRM

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

[Brett: I’ll note that, at least on TV, it looked like a play that Heyward would normally easily make – there’s just a matter of he and Dexter Fowler spending more time together, getting their communication down, their relative ranges, etc. In a month, that ball is caught.]

And the one great play in that inning:

Who you calling 'Grandpa'? #LetsGo pic.twitter.com/L1IOXyOO4g

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 4, 2016

But it was the next inning that things got really interesting, and it all started with one of our favorites, Javier Baez:

Baez keeps the leg kick calm and muscles a single on a two strike pitch. pic.twitter.com/vktaFCrYeY

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

Baez's leg kick with two strikes was the same as no strikes: very controlled. Good base hit with 2 strikes.

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

Following his base hit, Baez made things happen on the base path. After stealing second base, he advanced to third on a ball in the dirt:

Baez taking third on a ball in the dirt, after stealing second base. pic.twitter.com/Ur9iAuHt16

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

Which led to, of course, the best part of the day:

Addison Russell goes deep! pic.twitter.com/38WUOMrcNU

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

After that, a series of youngsters got in, including Jeimer Candelario, Jacob Hannemann, John Andreoli (who made an excellent warning track catch in the top of the ninth inning), Carl Edwards, Jr., and Albert Almora.

However, I was most impressed with Willson Contreras:

Contreras looked very good behind the plate, to my untrained eye. Not stabbing at it, popped up fast. Good. Edwards hit 93 MPH on his FB.

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016

After playing a couple innings behind the dish, Contreras finished 0-1 with a well-earned walk. He looked very good and calm both at and behind the plate.

There were, of course, many more things that happened, like Munenori Kawasaki flashing some leather at shortstop, and also scoring on a sac fly by John Andreoli. Also, Andury Acevedo was lighting up the radar gun, for early spring.

And, finally, the Cubs won, they broke my loss-streak, and all that was left was empty seats, unfinished nachos, and some promise for tomorrow:

And all that's left is an empty shell. Cubs win 3-0. #GoCubsGo pic.twitter.com/QH6v4rVtJM

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 4, 2016