Spring Training Miscellany: Hatable Cubs, Intense Workouts, Autograph Holes, Much More

Spring Training continues to roll on, and baseball season feels like it’s finally arrived.

Earlier today, I covered various stories from across the league, but now it’s time to settle in for some fun, light-hearted, Cubs Spring Training stuff. And first up, how about something that doesn’t seem fun or light-hearted at all – an intense work-out montage:

https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/832244081564778496

  • Push something heavy that way, now pull something heavy that way. Seems exhausting. But Kyle Schwarber sure is getting after it – and loves those shorts, apparently. Also: video needs more 80s music.
  • [adinserter block=”1″]

  • At the Chicago Sun Times, Anthony Rizzo discusses whether the Cubs can possibly win enough … to be hated. “I had an older man in the gym telling me he’s a big Red Sox and Patriots fan,” Rizzo said. “And he said, ‘Yeah, congrats, you guys won one, but you haven’t done anything until the whole country hates you.'” It’s a odd sentiment, but I definitely know what the old gym man meant (there’s a sentence I wasn’t planning on typing today). Joe Maddon went on to bring up his playing days when a certain Dodgers team exuded confidence in more ways than one and it led to that type of envious hate teams have long felt for the Yankees, or, say, the Patriots. Even still, Rizzo doesn’t think the Cubs will ever get there … and no, not because they can’t win, but because “We’re a team that is likable.” Agreed.
  • This isn’t the usual Spring Training miscellany, but it seems like a worthy PSA (I always use digital tickets):
  • https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/832341354034376706

  • And while were on the topic:
  • Tickets go on sale soon. I told you, it’s getting real.
  • [adinserter block=”2″]

  • And to keep it going, the Chicago Cubs have announced their 2017 regular season TV Broadcast schedule:
  • How about some more images out of Mesa:
  • Which reminds me, I will not be making to Spring Training this year, but Brett will be there starting tomorrow. If you see him, make sure to say hi.
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  • Some video of Kyle Hendricks and Jake Arrieta always makes for a nice time:
  • Pedro Strop, lookin’ fresh as ever:
  • And the catching trio is looking good:
  • And here’s the latest on Schwarber’s future as a catcher, in case you missed it.
  • [adinserter block=”4″]

  • Well this is just brilliant:
  • I’ll say that when I was over there last Spring, fans did struggle tossing mitts and hats back and forth over the wall with players/coaches, etc. This is genuinely a smart and friendly update by the Chicago Cubs.
  • Jesse Rogers has some video of some Cubs drills, if you’re so inclined:
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  • Some other stray shots, include Miguel Montero getting some rest:
  • A couple of early 2017 Cy Young candidates:
  • How about an MVP repeat, from Kris Bryant:
  • And, of course, “Joey Bats”, doing his thing:
  • And how about some Rizzo, closing out the day:
  • written by

    Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

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