Javier Baez was among a group of current and former players that were in Puerto Rico this weekend to honor Roberto Clemente with a goodwill tour called “Peloteros por Puerto Rico.” Jose Altuve, Chris Archer, Alex Colome, Francisco Lindor, Carlos Beltran, Yadier Molina, Oliver Perez, Edwin Diaz and Jose Quintana participated in the festivities. The MLBPA, with cooperation from Major League Baseball, put the “Peloteros por Puerto Rico” together. The goodwill tour ended Saturday “with a gala … [Read more...]
Javier Baez on Initial List of Confirmed Players for 2017 World Baseball Classic
Javier Baez among the 30 players confirmed for 2017 World Baseball Classic Major League Baseball announced earlier this week the initial list of 30 players that will participate in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) this spring. Javier Baez, the Co-MVP of the National League Championship Series, is joined on Team Puerto Rico by shortstops Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor. Baez will have to leave the Cubs in Spring Training to participate in the WBC. Baez is expected to be a regular in … [Read more...]
Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Angels – 03/14/09
Spring Training Game Nineteen: Cubs (8-9) vs. Angels (11-3) Game Time - 3:05pm C.T. Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: WGN Radio, XM Channel 177 Location - HoHoKam Park, Mesa Aaron Heilman (0-0, 1.13/0.75) vs. Joe Saunders (0-0, 3.00/1.67) Three weeks down, three left to go in the exhibition season for the Chicago Cubs. Lou Piniella's crew will host the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim today. The game will air on WGN TV with Len and Bob and 720 WGN with Pat and Ron...and should feature the return of … [Read more...]
Marmol to Pitch in WBC
According to a report from the Sun-Times, Carlos Marmol will pitch in the upcoming World Baseball Classic after all. Marmol made the Cubs aware of his decision on Saturday morning after announcing last week he would not participate. Marmol will leave Cubs' camp on Tuesday to join the Dominican Republic team. … [Read more...]
Zambrano and Six Others on WBC Rosters
While most of the focus over the last week was on whether Carlos Marmol would pitch in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, it appears there is another Carlos that could participate in the tournament. The final rosters for each team were released on Tuesday and Carlos Zambrano was listed as one of the 28 players on the roster for Team Venezuela. The Cubs have not officially said whether or not Zambrano will pitch for his country. Updated 11:09am C.T. - According to Bruce Levine, Carlos … [Read more...]
Marmol Might Skip the WBC
Carlos Marmol announced on Friday, according to a report on Cubs.com, that he "is reconsidering whether he will pitch for the Dominican Republic" in the WBC. For weeks it has appeared that Marmol would be the closer for Team Dominican Republic, but Marmol wants to be the Cubs closer. Carlos Marmol is expected to announce his decision on Saturday. … [Read more...]
The Big Three and Vizcaino Report….Lee Out of WBC
According to a report from the Sun-Times, with the exception of Kosuke Fukudome who is in Japan preparing for the WBC, all of the players expected in camp on Tuesday have reported. Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez have joined the rest of the team. Luis Vizcaino also sorted out his visa issues and reported on Tuesday. Updated 4:21pm C.T. - Derrek Lee Out of the WBC … [Read more...]
Ch-Ch Changes in Piniella’s Philosophy
After spending the winter doing a little more than just tinkering the roster, Jim Hendry and Lou Piniella continued to discuss changes to the team, but not as much in terms of personnel on the first day of Camp Lou III. The accountability the Cubs' skipper took on Friday for the end of last season continued to be discussed on Saturday morning. For the first time Lou Piniella admitted it is his job to change the ways he motivates and manages his players. On Friday Piniella discussed his record … [Read more...]
Harden Out of the WBC
According to multiple reports, Rich Harden will not pitch for Team Canada in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. The Tribune reported Harden "might not be ready to start for the Cubs during March because of his on-and-off right shoulder." Harden told the Toronto Globe and Mail that he is disappointed but his number one priority is the Chicago Cubs. … [Read more...]
17 Cubs on Provisional WBC Rosters
The provisional rosters for the upcoming World Baseball Classic were released on Monday evening. Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, Carlos Marmol and Rich Harden are among seventeen Cubs that could participate in the second tournament. Kosuke Fukudome could play for Team Japan for the second time in the WBC and Derrek Lee could make his second appearance for Team USA. The rosters for the WBC must be trimmed from 45 players to 28 players, with a mandatory … [Read more...]