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Cubs Caravan 2007: Roasts Review (PICTURES)

Roast

By Roast,
in Chicago Cubs Talk

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Roast

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted (edited)

Well, I just got home from this years Cubs Caravan. As always, I had a good time. However, this year there were some major flaws. In previous years it has been sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club, and was held at the Radisson Star Plaza, and they always did a respectable job. This year, it was sponsored by the local Northern League team; The Gary Southshore Railcats, and was housed at the Avalon Manor...they did a terrible job.

 

I got there at about ten till five, only to find out I had to stand outside. In years past, even though the doors did not open until 5:45, they allowed people inside the building, just not into the main hall. Well, this was not the case this year. And it was darn cold tonight.

 

Once I got inside, I met up with a friend of mine and we went to get our player tickets, which designate which autographs we can get in line for. Between my Mom and myself (and a trade or two) I ended up with Sean Marshall and Ryan Dempster. My friend (his ticket, plus one of his family members) got Marshall and Donnie Veal.

 

We proceeded on inside the hall and got in line for our autographs. My mom took a baseball to get signed by Ryan Demptster, while my friend and I got in line for Sean Marshall. When I got up to Sean, I shook his hand and he signed my baseball. (By the way, he has inhumanly hairy arms. Chewbacca has nothing on him.) He was very kind. After that I followed my friend over to Veal's line. Veal seemed like a really laid back type of person, and was very nice, himself.

 

After we got our autographs we all took our seats and after a short time they started the main program. Those present tonight were: Lou Piniella, Ryan Dempster, Len Kasper, Bob Brenly, Mark DeRosa, Sean Marshall, Michael Wuertz, Matt Murton, and Donnie Veal. The main program was emceed by the Len himself. After the usual introductions he turned it over to the crowd to ask some questions. Many questions were pointless and redundant, but here are a few of the strong points:

 

-Lou Piniella Promised to bring a World Series Championship to Chicago.

 

-Piniella said that he was undecided about what to do with center, and he would decide in spring training. He was quick to bring up Felix Pie; saying "We also have one of our top young prospects; a guy by the name of Felix Pie. He plays great defense, he has a strong arm, and we may just have to live with his hitting. We'll see." He also mentioned the possibility of Hendry acquiring a veteran in center.

 

- Somone from the crowd asked about the middle infield situation of DeRosa/Izturis/Cedeno, to which Lou responded they would be competing for a job in spring training. He also (all by himself) brought up the name of Ryan Theriot, and said he was another great option.

 

- Marshall and Veal were asked about their routines on gamedays (that they start). Marshall said he gets to the park about 4-5 hours before the game and goes over tape/stats/matchups/etc. Then about an hour before the game he starts his stretches. Veal said "I get there about 2 hours before the game, if I got there as early as Sean I'd get bored. I get there about 2 hours early, shower, take a nap, then about 30 minutes before the game I get up and warm up."

 

- Piniella was asked how many times he thought he would get ejected this year. He said "Well...I really don't get ejected that much. But...When I do, I just like to have some fun before I leave."

 

- Marshall was asked about his relationship with Greg Maddux. "I dont know if it was Greg, or if the Cubs set it up, but right from spring training last year Maddux' locker was right next to mine. And he'd pull me aside throughout the year and chat with me about how to approach hitters and things like that..." He went on to stress how great of a mentor Greg was to him and everyone on the team.

 

- Just like last year, Ryan Dempster ended the night with a hilarious Harry Caray impersonation, this time he was rambling about something involving the Cincinnati Reds and Lou Piniella. It was hysterical.

 

Now, a couple pictures. I would have had more but my camera didn't like the lighting:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/KingJME/100_0227.jpg

Sean Marshall, and my arm (because my friend cant take a picture) while he signs a picture. I dont know where the baseball i had him sign is in this picture...

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/KingJME/100_0228.jpg

Marshall, my friend, shaking hands.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/KingJME/100_0229.jpg

Veal and my friend

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/KingJME/100_0237.jpg

The Len.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/KingJME/100_0241.jpg

Sean Marshall, Talking about Greg Maddux

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/KingJME/100_0242.jpg

Dempster, impersonating Harry Caray, Marshall watches.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/KingJME/100_0243.jpg

Dempster, Marshall again.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/KingJME/100_0244.jpg

Same, only with wuertz this time

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/KingJME/100_0245.jpg

Dempster still on his Caray impersonation. Marshall, Wuertz, Brenly and Piniella watch.

Edited by Roast

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Brian MVP

Brian

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
- Marshall was asked about his relationship with Greg Maddux. "I dont know if it was Greg, or if the Cubs set it up, but right from spring training last year Maddux' locker was right next to mine.

 

Maybe it's because they're alphabetically next to eachother...

 

thanks for the write up. Sweet Lou is really warming up to me talking up Felix and brining up the Riot.

Roast All-Star

Roast

Old-Timey Member
Posted
  • Author
Posted
No one on the Cubs can dress

 

DeRosa actually looked pretty snazzy, as did Murton. I just didn't get decent enough pictures of them.

CUBZ99 ACL Cubs

CUBZ99

Verified Member
Posted
Posted
I hope that all this talk about competitions and earning jobs is more than just talk. How nice would it be to have a coach that actually rewarded production and not reputation or veteran status?? All of Piniella's comments to this point have been very encouraging.
Roast All-Star

Roast

Old-Timey Member
Posted
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In that case, they need to have a Cubs caravan over in Pasadena with guys like Veal and EPatt.

 

Epatt was on the other caravan group, I was so mad he wasn't on this one.

Roast All-Star

Roast

Old-Timey Member
Posted
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Posted

AHHHHHHH. I left out a hugely important piece of fluff that's probably not true.

 

In his opening comments, Lou Piniella said "..and as I understand it we have a healthy Wood and Prior, and they are ready to go this season."

 

He also said that Wood would definitely be throwing out of the bullpen, not starting.

 

Take that for what you will, but he said it.

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