Spring Training Miscellany: Darvish Works Out, Pitchers and Catchers Arrive, More
Today was Pitchers and Catchers Reporting Day – the start of Spring Training! – but that celebratory affair was mostly overshadowed by another: the official arrival of new Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish.
The timing worked out very well for all sides, though it wasn’t entirely coincidental: Theo Epstein and Darvish each conceded that having this deal in place before Spring Training began was a priority. For Epstein and the Cubs, they wanted to be able to know where things stood and proceed with everyone all together for the Spring. For Darvish, similarly, he didn’t want to wait to sign well into the Spring, dropping in on his new team as a distraction after they’d already gotten started. It’s nice to see that was a priority for both sides, since we’ve all felt that way about getting new players in the house as early as possible so they have time to adjust to their new surroundings, get to work with a new coaching staff, and have plenty of time to safely ramp up for the season in a controlled environment.
It makes you wish there weren’t still so many unsigned free agents elsewhere.
Bonus, random thing: during that introductory press conference, I was nearly positive I heard Epstein refer to Darvish at one point as “Yu-san.” I knew enough from Hollywood to at least recognize the sound, but I have almost no real knowledge about Japanese honorifics and what they mean. So, I did some light Wikipedia’ing, and per that article, “-san” is similar to saying “Mr.,” though it is often attached to a first name, and it is a nice sign of respect. Nicely done, Mr. Epstein. And welcome, Yu-san.
- Speaking of Yu-san, he got in his first workout today after the presser, naturally, and the good dudes from Cubs Insider were there to catch it:
- A little more of Spring Training Darvish:
It's time! pic.twitter.com/reeedbSZm7
— ダルビッシュ有(Yu Darvish) (@faridyu) February 13, 2018
Darvish runs! In a Cubs shirt and hat! Everything is news! pic.twitter.com/YqfZpmPatW
— Ryan Fagan (@ryanfagan) February 13, 2018
- With Darvish officially in the fold, his first official jerseys/shirseys came out at the MLB Shop this evening, so jump on that for number 11.
- Meanwhile, other Cubs were in the house, smiling, hugging, and generally making merry:
#Cubs Baez is ready pic.twitter.com/Q7T08drMVs
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 13, 2018
Jose Quintana out throwing. #Cubs pic.twitter.com/kitqDPQzmO
— Mike Berman (@MikeBermanNBC) February 13, 2018
#Cubs Jose Quintana joins workout pic.twitter.com/UsjYE6txzp
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/Kelly_Crull/status/963448941072343045
Willson Contreras getting warmed up. #Cubs pic.twitter.com/jXkmPsy6PF
— Mike Berman (@MikeBermanNBC) February 13, 2018
- At his press conference today, Joe Maddon unveiled a new shirt, appropriate for the day, with the English translation, “Process is Fearless”:
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 13, 2018
- There was no “theme” announcement yet for the season, but Maddon did drop hints:
#Cubs Maddon's 2018 theme: "The theme was made in advance of Yu but I think it fits in well with him here. It's a little more elaborate. We'll reveal it week by week." Stay tuned
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 13, 2018
Maddon says he's jacked up about the theme for the season. Says it's more elaborate and they'll reveal it week by week.
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) February 13, 2018
- That’s a huge Kyle Hendricks smile:
Several #Cubs players already in Arizona ahead of spring training
PHOTOS: https://t.co/14EEcUcsMs pic.twitter.com/4z5quy314M
— Sun-Times Sports (@suntimes_sports) February 13, 2018
- One thing that just won’t feel right this Spring Training is the absence of John Arguello, who passed away last year. You may know him as the dude who started Cubs Den, or the guy who was always getting great stuff out in Arizona. I remember those things. But I mostly remember that he was simply such a nice guy. The Cubs remember, too:
.@cubsden, this is the coolest thing I’ve seen all day while hanging around the #SloanBackfields. pic.twitter.com/MpTbFcZRx7
— Jon Ferlise (@CubsKingdom) February 13, 2018
