Sunday, March 29, 2009

'84 Cubs Where Are They Now, Adding Night Game at Wrigley, Cubs Pitchers Poll, and More

Kevin Gregg has been named the closer for the Cubs. Info at bottom of post.

I came across a few great articles about the Cubs in newspapers. One was in the Times called Where are the '84 Cubs Now? The next was Gordon Wittenmyer's survey of Cubs pitchers in the Sun-Times. And the last one was from the Tribune about what the Cubs players would think of more night games at Wrigley.

Where Are the '84 Cubs Now?

Bobby Denier, CF: Roving outfield and base running instructor in the Cubs' farm system.
Ryne Sandberg, 2B: Manager of the Cubs' AA team.
Gary Matthew, LF: Color analyst for Phillies broadcasts.
Keith Moreland, RF: Color analyst for the University of Texas football and baseball broadcasts.
Leon Durham, 1B: Hitting coach for the Tigers AAA team.
Jody Davis, C: Roving catching instructor in the Cubs system.
Ron Cey: Community relations rep for LA Dodgers.
Larry Bowa, SS: 3rd base coach for Dodgers.
Rick Sutcliffe, SP: Color analyst for ESPN.
Lee Smith: Roving pitching instructor in Giants' system.

So all of the '84 Cubs starting lineup and their top 2 pitchers are still involved in baseball (or football in Moreland's case) in some way.

Cubs Players Split About Adding Night Games:

  • Aramis Ramirez says he would rather have more night games in the summer because of the heat during the day.
  • Ryan Dempster likes the tradition of having lots of day games, and wants the Cubs to continue it.
  • Reed Johnson says that it should be an advantage to the Cubs when they play day games because they play more of them than anyone else.
  • Paul Sullivan says it is all about revenue in the end and that night games would increase revenue because that would increase TV ratings.

Gordon Wittenmyer polled 18 Cubs pitchers including all the members of the Cubs projected Opening Day roster except one who didn't want to participate. Here are the results of the Cubs Pitchers Poll:

Best Curveball

  • Marshall: 55.9%
  • Patton: 16.7%
  • Others: 27.8%

Best Fastball:

  • Zambrano: 33.3%
  • Harden: 16.7%
  • Gregg: 16.7%

Best Changeup:

  • Harden: 27.8%
  • Ascanio: 22.2%
  • Heilman: 16.7%
  • Dempster: 11.1%
  • Others: 22.2%

Nastiest pitch:

  • Zambrano's slider, slitter, sinker: 5.9%
  • Anything by Zambrano: 11.8%
  • Marmol's slider: 47.1%
  • Gregg's splitter: 11.8%
  • Others: 11.8%

Starter to win one game:

  • Dempster: 55.8%
  • Zambrano: 27.8%
  • Lilly: 11.1%
  • Others: 5.8%

Reliever to get one out:

  • Marmol: 72.2%
  • Others: 27.8%

I think it says a lot that Dempster's peers voted him to be the starter to win one game instead of Zambrano. Speaking of Zambrano, my guess is that he's the one who declined to participate. I can't imagine why one of the Cubs pitchers would not want to do this poll just for fun.

Some Notes from the Cubs AAA Game Yesterday:

  • Kevin Gregg, Chad Fox, and Luis Vizcaino got some work in against the A's AAA team.
  • Gregg had a great first inning, working a 3 up, 3 down.
  • In the second innings Gregg threw 17 pitches and only 8 strikes allowing a hit and a run.
  • Chad Fox worked a 1-2-3 inning.
  • Luis Vizcaino gave up 2 hits and 0 runs in his inning of work.
  • Lester Strode, the Cubs bullpen coach, made the trip with the 3 pitchers to watch them throw.
  • Sam Fuld went 2-2 in the game with 2 BB and 3 runs.
  • Doug Deeds went 4-5 with a homer.
  • Jake Fox went 2-4 with a homer.
  • Luis Rivas went 1-4.
  • Jose Ascaino worked 2 innings and allowed 1 run.
  • Sacramento won the game over the Iowa Cubs by a score of 8-7.
  • Thanks to Arizona Phil from the Cubs Reporter for this info.

Check out my "30 in 30" recaps:

Starting Lineup Today VS Indians:

  • Soriano, LF
  • Theroit, SS
  • Lee, 1B
  • Braldey, RF
  • Ramirez, 3B
  • Fontenot, 2B
  • Soto, C
  • Gathright, CF
  • Lilly, P

Mark DeRosa is in the Indians lineup today batting second and playing 3B. Kerry Wood is also on the travel squad today. We could see Woody pitch against the Cubs!

This Just in...

The Sun-Times is reporting that Kevin Gregg is going to be the Cubs closer. Carlos Marmol will remain in the setup role. I think this makes a lot of sense. Going into camp, I think everyone thought Marmol would be handed the closer's job. Gregg has pitched well this spring and has earned it. Kevin has not even allowed a run all spring. I'll update this post if a get more info on this.

I'll keep you posted.

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