Cubs Caravan 2006 - Roasts Review

[Roast]

Well folks, Here I am again. I just got back from the 24th Annual Cubs Caravan in Merriville, IN. I had a good time, and I got autographs from Matt Murton & Jerome Williams!!!! I also received signatures from Len Kasper & Bob Brenly, and.....Dusty Baker. But who cares about him. I had the oppurtunity to quickly shake both murtons and williams hand and wish them good luck, both of them were very kind in the quick second I had to say hi.

 

There was a fairly nice turn out of players at the caravan this year. Those appearing were: Dusty Baker, Billy Williams, Larry Rothschild, Gary Matthews, Matt Murton, Jerome Williams, Jaque Jones, Scott Eyre, Ryan Dempster, Bob Brenly, and Len Kasper. I dont beleive i am forgetting anybody.

 

Of course the part we're all interested in is the questions. Not too much was said of interest this year, I'll just sumarize the important stuff.

 

- When Baker was asked about Kerry Wood he said "Ehh...we dont know about kerry" Which brought a few loud BOO's from the crowd. He continued "We know he's gonna be back, we just dont know when."

 

- When baker was asked about "the middle infield situation" he said and i quote "Our middle infield situation? Right now our situation is Ronny Cedeno, Neifi Perez, and Todd Walker." I think my face turned as red as the C on my shirt at this point. Neifi was mentioned before walker.

 

-Later, someone called dusty on this. Asking point blank who would play second. he said "well, before they asked me about the middle infield situation *uncomfortable laugh* and the situation is Cedeno, Neifi, and Walker. So second base? Well like I said, our situation right now is cedeno, Neifi, and walker. And walker has done a good job for us"

 

- The high point of the night. Someone asked Ryan dempster what Harry Carry would have said about the 2006 season. Dempster went into a very long, and very hilarious, impression of Harry topping it off with the line "hey, did you know Gary Mathews spelled backwards is swehtam yrag!" I thought I was going to cry i was laughing so hard.

 

- Somone also asked Larry about the 4/5th starter spot and he kinda danced around the question saying that rusch and williams were strong cantidates or something to that effect.

 

All in all there wasnt much of interest said, but it was a good time none the less.

 

 

*Mods, could you move this to "Events", please*

[Mark_R]

I'm SHOCKED to see zero questions on the Wood fiasco from last season.

 

Hopefully someone from here asks Dusty and Larry about it at the Convention.

 

I will be greatly disappointed if they don't.

[Roast]

I'm SHOCKED to see zero questions on the Wood fiasco from last season.

 

Hopefully someone from here asks Dusty and Larry about it at the Convention.

 

I will be greatly disappointed if they don't.

 

I was too. Especially after he said that he "didnt know when kerry would be back".

[Balsa]

I'd like to beleive that they know exactly when Wood will be back, and it'll be just after Opening Day, and that they're hiding the info in case something goes wrong....but I just don't know.

[Roast]

I'd like to beleive that they know exactly when Wood will be back, and it'll be just after Opening Day, and that they're hiding the info in case something goes wrong....but I just don't know.

 

Haha. Awh, you poor naive man.

 

I applaud them for finally telling the truth though, they just have no idea what the hell they're doing.

 

Oh, also, I forgot to add that when Eyre was asked about the 'pen this year he made a comment about how Howry turned down a closing job somewhere else because he wanted to come here and win.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Roast,

 

I know you said Dusty included Walker in the mix. Did you get the feeling based on facial expressions and inflexion in the voice that he said it knowing Hendry is trying to trade Walker but if Walker is on the team would start him or do you think Neifi is the starter and Dusty was just dancing around the question.

[Roast]

Roast,

 

I know you said Dusty included Walker in the mix. Did you get the feeling based on facial expressions and inflexion in the voice that he said it knowing Hendry is trying to trade Walker but if Walker is on the team would start him or do you think Neifi is the starter and Dusty was just dancing around the question.

 

I think a little of both. The way he put Neifi's name in front of walkers sounded almost intentional. And he said the "right now our situation is cedeno, neifi, and Todd Walker" almost the exact same way he said "right now Our team captain is The same guy it was last year" in 2005 when he was asked about sammy being captain. And by "said it the same way" he gave that little halfassed chuckle he does sometimes when he gets asked a tough question. So take that all for what its worth. But It just upset me that he mentioned neifi above walker.

[Mizzou]

I love reading stuff like this. Thanks for posting it, Roast.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Thanks Roast. I'm sure Dusty has been told that Walker is being shopped, but I've always been of the impression that Dusty will start him mostly against right handers if he's on the team come Opening Day.

 

I do find it interesting that Hairston was NOT mentioned as being in the mix even though Hendry has continued to say he is.

 

Is it possible that Hairston is still in Dusty's doghouse? :-k

[Roast]

Thanks Roast. I'm sure Dusty has been told that Walker is being shopped, but I've always been of the impression that Dusty will start him mostly against right handers if he's on the team come Opening Day.

 

I do find it interesting that Hairston was NOT mentioned as being in the mix even though Hendry has continued to say he is.

 

Is it possible that Hairston is still in Dusty's doghouse? :-k

 

Yea, I wondered the same thing. Its odd he didnt even mention Hairston. I wonder if that is pure dusty idiocy or there is more behind it, like they are planning to trade him or something like that. Or maybe he only see's him as an outfielder.

[anemic offense]

Thanks for the report Roast. Even though most of the responses were the typical run-around garbage.

[Chris]

Very cool report, Roast. Much appreciation!

[SouthSideRyan]

It seems that for whatever reason Dusty views Hairston as an OF, which now after realizing that, makes me worry about Murton in LF.

[USSoccer]

It's been awhile since I've had my dislike for Baker stoked...thanks for the summary, Roast.

 

It wouldn't shock me to see, once again, Hendry and Baker on different wavelengths when it comes to Hairston. Baker never seemed to care for him last season, so it might not matter what Hendry says.

 

And if Hairston takes a lot of time away from Murton in LF (which shouldn't happen based on the fact that they both hit right-handed), I'll be at the front of the pitchfork/torch line.

 

And my reward still stands. Someone ask the tough question, please!

[Laura]

Thanks, Roast! Whoa, I didn't realize the Merrillville event was last night. I thought it was usually on Thursday-Friday.

 

(if anyone else goes to a caravan stop, please post your review!)

 

Someone posted this before, but Hairston is listed on the Cubs roster as an outfielder.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Thanks Roast. I hope we get some good recaps from attendees this weekend too.

[Roast]

Oh, and also i forgot to add this:

 

Someone asked Baker. "Will we win the world series?"

 

Baker: "Yes Sir"

 

 

Of course, he said something similar last year. Just thought it'd be fun to add.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Oh, and also i forgot to add this:

 

Someone asked Baker. "Will we win the world series?"

 

Baker: "Yes Sir"

 

 

Of course, he said something similar last year. Just thought it'd be fun to add.

 

Those are the type of hard hitting questions all of us angry Cub fans are clamoring for!!!!

[Roast]

Oh, and also i forgot to add this:

 

Someone asked Baker. "Will we win the world series?"

 

Baker: "Yes Sir"

 

 

Of course, he said something similar last year. Just thought it'd be fun to add.

 

Those are the type of hard hitting questions all of us angry Cub fans are clamoring for!!!!

 

The kid who asked it was like 10, give him a break :)

 

However, I was very impressed that the person who asked about and i quote "The middle infield situation" was like 9 or 10 at the oldest. smart kid. That or daddy told him what to say.