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It may be the best assignment in Chicago sports journalism: Spring Training in Arizona. Howard Sudberry is with the Cubs and Sox as they prepare for the 2008 season, and he'll be blogging from both camps. Soon, you'll be able to put away your thermal gloves for a baseball glove, but until then, please join Howard for a virtual seat at the ballpark.
As we leave Arizona after a couple weeks at Sox and Cubs camps, here are a few thoughts on the teams.....
The Sox have improved. It would be hard not to be better, after losing 90 games. The one thing that makes them better, is the improvement of the bullpen. Orlando Cabrera at shortstop makes them a better team. It also leaves Juan Uribe on the bench......Mark Beuhrle joked with Uribe the other day....he ran by and pointed to the bench and yelled....here's your spot. Clubhouse humor...it can be rough.
One concern: The Sox are banking on a return to form by Jose Contreras. He really struggled last year, and you wonder if his best years are behind him.
The Cubs are favorites and should be. They carry themselves with confidence. It doesn't look like they have a lot of weaknesses. They start with Carlos Zambrano at the ope of the rotation, and I think he is finally ready for that breakout, 20 win season. Ted Lilly is solid.....then Jon Lieber is the third starter, with Rich Hill at 4, and a battle for the 5th spot. Like any team, the Cubs will go as far as that rotation takes them. The bullpen looks terrific.
The Cubs lineup will be one of the best, if Fukedome performs like the Cubs think he will.
Predictions: The Sox with 83 wins. The Cubs with 91. -- H.S. Feb. 23, 2008
Ozzie Guillen opened Sox camp with a meeting that lasted about an hour. He said it was the same speech he usually gives, but a good chance for new players to get to know what he's really like, not the Ozzie they've read about.
I liked a story that shortstop Orlando Cabrera told about Ozzie when they were with Montreal. Ozzie was a coach, and Cabrera says he saw him sleeping in the dugout during a game. Ozzie said, anybody would sleep if they had to watch that ball club.
If Nick Swisher's energy is contagious, we might see the Go-Go Sox again. He's always up, seems to love playing the game -- a good guy to have in the clubhouse. Most importantly, he's a pretty good player. He has a good shot to open in centerfield for the Sox. -- H.S. Feb. 21, 2008
I had a nice chat with Lou Piniella today. He is amazed at how many changes there are in the Cubs opening lineup from last season. For one thing, he'll have young players, rookies, starting behind the plate and in centerfield... and he says that's very rare on a good team. Lou says he knows most people will pick the Cubs to win their division, and while he won't predict a World Series championship like one of his pitchers, he says Jim Hendry has built a good enough team to give them a chance. -- H.S. February 20, 2008
Every member of the Cubs roster is now in camp. There was even a bigger amount of Japanese media today then last week when Fukudome first arrived. He is one important player for the Cubs. That left-handed bat in the lineup could make all the difference in the world for the rest of the hitters.
Manager Lou Piniella commented on how there aren't many jobs up for grabs on the Cubs roster. That is a rarity for spring training. He'll have to settle on a centerfielder, and a closer. Most other spots are settled, which is usually a sign that a team is pretty good.
I visited with Cubs legend Ron Santo today. Ron is always optimistic about his Cubs, but this year more than ever. Could you imagine anyone enjoying a World Series championship on the North Side more than Ron?
As for the White Sox, new outfielder Nick Swisher arrived in Tucson early. The Sox full squad isn't scheduled to report until Thursday, but he's a new face and wants to make an early impression. He's an outspoken player who was a popular guy in the Oakland A's clubhouse during his years there. He will probably provide some leadership with the Sox, as well which will be well received by most of his new teammates since they have a lot of quiet leaders. --H.S. Feb. 19, 2008
The more you see of Kosuke Fukudome, it's obvious that this guy can play baseball. He works very hard, runs well and he can handle the bat. Time will tell if he can handle major league pitching. If he can, it will give the Cubs a very impressive-looking lineup.
The full squad has its first workout on Tuesday. Lou Piniella was asked if he has his speech ready for the team yet. He's always ready with a quip. He said, "Not yet. Not yet. I haven't had a cocktail, yet." With that he broke into a big laugh. He's got plenty to be in a good mood about. This is the best looking Cubs team in years. Maybe in 100 years. --H.S. Feb. 18, 2008
Sox 3rd baseman Josh Fields reported to camp today. He wasn't able to take part in any formal workouts because he is in early. So both Fields and Joe Crede are here, and one of them won't be in a Sox uniform when the season begins.
Ozzie said again today that he will be Ozzie again this year. He even said they should put his post game press conferences up on the scoreboard at the Cell...and he warned the PR department about what he might say. With him, especially this year, it could be anything. --H.S. Feb. 17, 2008
We have moved from Mesa down to Tucson now that Sox camp has opened with pitchers and catchers reporting on Saturday. Ozzie is already in rare form....He walked into the media room to say hi to a few of us....and yelled, "what are you all doing down here covering this bad team? I heard we're bad, why are you here"? He said it in his own colorful language, and you won't hear any of that on the news. Ozzie says he was too laid back last season, so now he says he'll just be himself. That will make it plenty of fun.....if they win some more games.
Joe Crede reported early. He had back surgery, and says he is doing well. He wants to finish his career with the Sox....but if I had to bet, I would say he'll be traded after the spring training games start.
GM Kenny Williams and Ozzie Guillen wore Northern Illinois University caps to show their support in the wake of the tragedy there. Like many of us, they both have kids in college. Like Kenny Williams said, "that's the one place you would think you're kids would be safe."
