The Cubs return to Wrigley Field tonight for the first game at the old ballyard since last October. First pitch for Cubs vs. Reds, Jon Lester against Brandon Finnegan is set for 7:05pm CDT.
It’s the 101st home opener at Wrigley Field and the most anticipated first home game in franchise history. The Cubs have been as advertised over the first week of the year. And the excitement about the team is at an all-time high.
The players, fans and front office are excited about the opener and what lies ahead for the summer at Wrigley Field.
When asked about the home opener Sunday, Joe Maddon said, ““It’s going to be raucous tomorrow.”
Cubs Clubhouse
The Cubs new clubhouse is complete and is unbelievable based on the video the team tweeted very early Monday morning (click here). The players are thrilled with the new environment. It’s night and day from the old clubhouse. More information about the new clubhouse and facilities at Wrigley will be available Tuesday.
The Cubs new state-of-the-art clubhouse is the second largest in baseball, only the clubhouse in the Bronx is bigger.
Javier Baez
Javier Baez reports to Iowa on Monday to begin his rehab stint with the I-Cubs.
Reports have suggested if all goes as planned, Baez could be activated from the DL by the end of the homestand or during the next road trip that begins on Monday, April 18 in St. Louis.
The Sun-Times indicated Baez would only need a “brief” time in Iowa.
Javier Baez has not played in a game since March 20.
Kyle Schwarber
According to multiple reports Sunday, the Cubs would like for Kyle Schwarber to be part of the player introductions Monday night at Wrigley.
Schwarber’s teammates want him to be part of the Opening Night festivities, especially after they found out he could travel from Phoenix to Chicago. Doctors cleared Schwarber to fly according to ESPN Chicago.
Jesse Rogers reported Schwarber will see doctors in Chicago on Monday and “the hope is he’ll make it out to the white chalk when his name is announced during pregame ceremonies.”
Captain Morgan to Provide Discounted uberX Rides for Home Opener
Rum Brand Teaming Up With Uber to Fund Safe Rides from Wrigleyville on Monday Night
As the city of Chicago prepares for another exciting baseball season, Captain Morgan is partnering with Uber to provide up to $50,000 worth of ride vouchers to fans 21 and over travelling from Wrigleyville on Monday night.
Starting on Monday at 2:00pm CDT, interested consumers can enter promo code ‘HOMECAPTAIN’ in the Uber app. The $15 voucher will be automatically applied to participants’ accounts.
The promotion is only valid for uberX rides taken from Wrigleyville between 6:00pm CDT on Monday, April 11 and 2:00am CDT on Tuesday, April 12. The first 3,500 users to apply the code will receive the promotion discount.
BEGINS: Monday, April 11, 2:00pm CDT
ENDS: Tuesday, April 12, 2:00am CDT
News and Notes
• Patrick Mooney reported on the first impressions of Jason Heyward and how he can change the Cubs.
• According to Comcast SportsNet, another win over the Diamondbacks sends the Cubs back to Wrigley riding wave of momentum.
• ESPN Chicago – Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta hits 442-foot home run
• In Jake Arrieta’s 69 starts with the Cubs, he has not allowed a home run in 50 of those starts. Arrieta has given up one home run in 16 starts and two or more homers in the same start only three times.
• The Tribune – Jake Arrieta provides pop with his bat in Cubs’ win
• According to Bob Nightengale, revamped Wrigley Field is ready for the Cubs to roar like never before.
• The Diamondbacks played the video of David Ross hitting the first homer of his career off Mark Grace on the video board at Chase Field during Sunday’s game as the team’s salute to Ross and the yearlong retirement party. David Ross tipped his cap to the D-Backs for recognizing his career.
• Wrigley Field Marquee photo – @WrigleyBlog
This Day in Cubstory
2006 – Derrek Lee signed a five-year, $65 million contract with the Cubs.
2006 – The Reds’ Bronson Arroyo hit his second home run in six days off Glendon Rusch.
1986 – Russ Canzler, born
1984 – Andres Blanco, born
1972 – Robin Jennings, born
1965 – Cubs purchased Ted Abernathy from the Indians
1955 – Cubs won on Opening Day for the sixth year in a row, a 7-5 victory over the Reds in Cincinnati.
1928 – Pat Malone was charged with six unearned runs in the eighth inning of his Major League debut in a 9-3 loss to the Reds in Cincinnati. Kiki Cuyler also made his Cubs’ debut.
1919 – Hank Schenz, born
1913 – Cardinals purchased Jimmy Sheckard from the Cubs