Mesa Cubs Fanfest

[Laura]

Not sure if this was discussed elsewhere. The Fanfest was Monday, so it would have been before the recent news on Prior going to see Yocum.

 

The AZ Republic[/url]"]The highlight was Baker, Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry and eight players - Ronny Cedeno, Scott Eyre, Jacque Jones, John Mabry, Matt Murton, Will Ohman, Todd Wellemeyer and Jerome Williams - fielding questions from fans.

 

For Baker and Hendry, questions included which prospect they're most impressed with (21-year-old center fielder Felix Pie and 25-year-old first baseman Brandon Sing), and what's going to happen at second base (they're still not saying who will start among Todd Walker, Jerry Hairston and Neifi Perez).

 

But the most-asked and most heated questions were about oft-injured right-hander Kerry Wood, who had shoulder surgery last August and knee surgery this month.

 

It seems fans are growing impatient with Wood, the No. 4 overall pick in 1995 who was relegated to bullpen duty last season because of injuries.

 

James Craig, 62, of Elgin, Ill., asked Baker about Wood's future.

 

"The future for Kerry as a starter or bullpen. We have to see how this kid comes back from the arm (injury)," Baker said. "Today, if you see him now, you wouldn't think he came back from a knee surgery much less an arm surgery.

 

"Right now this kid is way ahead of schedule. I think Kerry is one of those who will get it (reach his pitching potential) and get it late. Much like Nolan Ryan. . . . It takes a power pitcher longer to get it. I see him as a starter."

 

A few questions later, Joe Krinsky, 24, of Chicago asked Hendry if he thought it was fair for Cubs fans to wait for Wood to be healthy for the team to do well. ...

 

Hendry answered, "That's why you have other people. That's why we have a farm system. That's why Mark Prior came along . . . Carlos Zambrano. That's why you bring in a Wade Miller, who we view is up there with Kerry Wood. When he's (Wood) on and healthy, you want him on your side."

[ManCrushOnNomar]

I was there!

 

I had a good question for Dusty and Hendry, but they cut off the line before I got a chance to ask.

[Laura]

I was there!

 

I had a good question for Dusty and Hendry, but they cut off the line before I got a chance to ask.

 

Did you hear what they said about Brandon Sing?

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

So when Wood's not on and not healthy, he's not worth having on your side? :lol:

[ManCrushOnNomar]

I was there!

 

I had a good question for Dusty and Hendry, but they cut off the line before I got a chance to ask.

 

Did you hear what they said about Brandon Sing?

Dusty just said he was really impressed with him and that he wouldn't have had the chance to see him had Derrek not been off playing in the WBC. He coupled that with getting the chance to see "so many catchers, I didn't know we had half these guys."