ChiefsVoice

He's in camp. I only saw him stretching and running. I believe he is now too old for Boise so he would either have to be here or Daytona....

no i didn't

I think theres a good chance we will get them both. If you look at the Catchers depth chart there are a lot of them. I wouldn't be surprised if we have 3 as we did for a while last year (Rick, Bernard, Douillard). Alan Rick and Olin Wick, were working out with Dayton. Reed, Carter, Justin Morgan and Peter Farina were working out with Peoria. Tony Richie was up with AA while Jake Fox, Geovanny Soto and Jose Reyes were up with the big league club.

Well I saw the potential Peoria/Daytona players taking infield, BP and situational defense. I didn't see anyone pitch at all. Harvey was hitting the ton out of the ball and working on going the other way. Reed and Carter hitting the ball good as well. Norwood looked good, so did Fuld. I didn't really see anyone looking bad during BP. Games don't start until next week so it's kind of hard to get a gauge on where players are. From what I heard talking to players and coaches, Grant Johnson, Jon Hunton, Mark Pawelek, Donald Veal, Sean Gallagher, Ryan Harvey, Ryan Norwood and Yusuf Carter, Mike Phelps, and Eric Patterson are the ones who were talked about the most on looking good so far. On the injury side, Lee Gwaltney, Aaron Krawiec, Phil Norton and Alberto Garcia were among the ones rehabbing when I was visiting our 2005 trainer Matt Johnson. On a side note, it appears that our 2005 catcher Oscar Bernard is now a pitcher. He was throwing 97-98 on the gun with his fastball and will likely either start in Mesa or Boise.

Well those two are at the top and Holliman if we get him. And of course Jody Davis! From what I saw this week down in Mesa I look forward to hopefully watching Mark Reed and Yusuf Carter behind the plate, Gregg, Defendis and Taylor as well. Also Jon Hunton looked like he was in great shape and had lost a lot of weight and it would be good to watch him come back up here and succeed like he did the first month of 2005 before he had trouble locating his pitches.

I was very impressed by both players. Eric is closer, more mature as a player and more polished. Plays very good defense (despite what Baseball America continues to claim), and has a good eye at the plate. Eric showed more power than I expected and the speed I expected. Ryan oviously has great power and just kills the ball. His arm and defense are very good. He takes good routes to the ball and is accurate throwing. He does have a tendency to K a lot and not walk much. I saw him this week in Mesa and they were working on him going the other way with the ball and he was doing it with power. Both need to cut down the K's and other than that just polish their games.

you cant miss the booths at either place. UK is right about Beloit from when he came up to say hello. the road radio is just inside the door of the box. in Wisconsin the booths are right behind home plate on the concourse and im the booth 2 windows down from the PA. just come up to the open window (well maybe not open on April 6th when it is 18 degrees!) All visitors are always welcome!

Minor League Spring Training games against other organizations begin in Arizona on the 18th.

Thanks for the question Raw. Matt is a very interesting pitcher. He is not going to blow anyone away. He is more in the Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Jamie Moyer mold where he must locate and hit his spots. The control is there, the mental part is there and the poise and mound presence is there. This kid will just have to out work everyone else and compensate for not having 95-98 fastball. Good mix and he too like Sean is very young and will only get better. I see him a lot like Brad Thompson of the Cardinals (who was here in 2003) though Matt doesn't throw as hard as Brad but has the same control and confidence. I won't be surprised at all if Matt makes it to the MLB level.

I'm not 100 percent certain on this but I think it was so he could work on his other pitches.

Great photo Outshined! Yes I think that Sean will be on the fast track. But remember he is just 20 years old. I am higher on Sean than some others are (especially those "experts" at Baseball America). But then again they evaluate on one or two starts while I saw all of his 2005 pitches. Sharp curveball, good control and wasn't even allowed to throw his slider which coming out of high school was a big pitch for him. He learned a lot here in 2005 from Tom Pratt in terms of learning how to pitch and working the mental side. He will have a big 2006 somehwere (Daytona? West Tenn? Both?) and I think you'll see him in Wrigley soon and it will be well deserved and hard-earned.

Good to hear form you again UK. as for 2005 clubhouse leaders, we had so many who did things in different ways. Fuld was a silent leader as was Montanez. Patterson was a leader. Harvey led by example. Larsen, Weber and Gallagher were more vocal. Fuld should have been in the top 30. I think he was robbed. My guess is his age had something to do with it. Had he not started the year off slowly (with a bum shoulder I might add), he would have hit probably about 10-15 points higher than 300 and added 10-15 more runs and a few more SB. then he would have been on that list. I think he has more upside than a few of those guys on the list and I look for big things out of Sam in 2006. On a side note he is also one of the nicest and most intelligent players I have been around.

Thanks for the question C4L. Since the players stay in Mesa until April 2nd I haven't seen any of them as of yet. However I will let NSBB in on a little secret that I will be headed down to Mesa for a week starting Thursday. So if I don't replay to anything from the 9th to 15th its not personal, I'm just not here. Having said that, I am very excited to see the pitchers that are rumored to be coming to either Peoria or Daytona: pawelek, holliman, veal, taylor, etc. And Yusuf Carter and Defendis and Gregg. Those are the guys I don't know that I want to check out while in Mesa and then of course to see the ones I do know like Mark Reed who was here just a month in 2005. I will definitely re-answer this question on the 16th when I return to Peoria. Anyone who has someone they want me to check out while I'm down there let me know and I'll do my best!

Craig- All i know is that he didnt throw it here at all last year. I dont know if he plans on throwing it in 2006. I havent talked to him or anyone about him since he left here in August. I should be in Mesa in a few weeks and see what i can find out... oh and Drew Larsen unfortunuately was on the released list two weeks ago. i saw you had him as a potential returnee. Great kid. I hope he latches on somewhere... Nathan

Nope. unfortunately I have no inside info on our roster. Just like everyone else Ive made a list of possibles, but thats about it.

Tickets on sale March 4th. More info at website PEORIA, IL— The Peoria Chiefs have announced their 2006 Promotional Schedule headlined by O’Brien Field Appearances from Ron Santo and Fergie Jenkins. In addition, the Chiefs have planned four Jersey Auctions, eight fireworks shows, on-field performances by seven acts, five Bobble Head Giveaways, a Collectors Series Baseball Giveaway and numerous other giveaways and nightly promotions. Special Appearances Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins will help the Chiefs kick-start their schedule with a two-day appearance beginning Opening Night Thursday April 13th when the Chiefs face the Swing of the Quad Cities at 6:30 PM. The former Cubs star will throw out a first pitch and then sign autographs for $20 with the proceeds benefiting the Fergie Jenkins Foundation which supports various American and Canadian charities including the Red Cross, Special Olympics and YMCA. Jenkins will return to O’Brien Field on Friday April 14th when the Chiefs again face the Swing at 6:30 PM. Cubs radio broadcaster and fan favorite Ron Santo will be at O’Brien Field on Saturday June 10th as a special guest of IPMR. As part of the IPMR Fundraising Night, Santo will be available to sign autographs during the game for a limited time with all proceeds benefiting IPMR. This is the 4th consecutive season that IPMR has held a night at O’Brien Field with past guests Whitey Herzog, Lou Brock and Ryne Sandberg. Illini Night On Thursday June 1st, the Chiefs will host Paint O’Brien Field Orange Night with the Fighting Illini. The Chiefs players will wear special Orange uniforms that will be signed and auctioned after the game. Chiefs staff members are currently working to secure special guests at O’Brien Field for Illini Night on June 1st with another announcement expected in the near future. Special Jerseys/Jersey Auctions Over the past three years, the Chiefs have worn special jerseys on five occasions with the jerseys being signed by players and auctioned after the games to benefit various charities. During the 2006 season there are four such jersey nights. On Thursday May 18th the Chiefs will wear green Irish jerseys as part of Irish Night presented by Kelleher’s Pub & Eatery. On Saturday July 15th the Chiefs will wear Hawaiian jerseys a part of Jimmy Buffet Night with all proceeds going to the Pediatric Research Center. On Saturday August 12th, the Chiefs will wear red Firefighters jerseys as part of Firefighters Night with all proceeds benefiting Muscular Dystrophy Association. The two charities for the Irish and Illini Jerseys will be announced at a later date. Fireworks Nights The Chiefs will again continue the tradition of spectacular fireworks shows at O’Brien Field following Saturday night home games. Overall there will be eight fireworks shows: April 29, May 20, June 3, June 10, July 3, July 15, July 29 and August 12. The July 3rd game is a Monday night and will serve as the 4th of July fireworks show. There will not be fireworks following the Saturday May 6th game since that game is scheduled to start at 11:00 am due to a Bradley game that night. The July 4th game will begin at 5:30 PM and fans are invited to stay at O’Brien Field after the contest for a close-up view of the Downtown Peoria fireworks. Entertainment Acts On the success of the on-field entertainment acts in 2005, the Chiefs have scheduled numerous performance acts in 2006 including some returning performers and a few acts who have never performed at O’Brien Field. The first on-field act will be newcomer Jake the Diamond Dog who will perform Friday May 5th and Saturday May 6th on his first of two trips to Peoria. The Fabulous Blues Brothers return on O’Brien Field on Friday May 19th. Birdzerk will join the Illini coaches and players at O’Brien Field on Thursday June 1st. The following night, Friday June 2nd, The Zooperstars return to Peoria and on Saturday June 3rd, Myron Noodleman makes his first 2006 appearance. Skyy Dogs USA come back to Peoria on Sunday June 4th as part of Bark in the Park. Jake the Diamond Dog returns on Saturday June 10th and Sunday June 11th. Reggy makes his O’Brien Field debut on Tuesday July 4th to help the Chiefs celebrate Independence Day. Birdzerk returns on Saturday August 4th and Myron Noodleman caps the entertainment acts on Friday August 25th. Bobble Heads & Collectors Baseball Giveaways The two collectors series giveaways in 2006 will be Bobble Heads (5) and a Series of Photo Baseball (4) Giveaways. The five Bobble Heads will be: Ron Santo (June 2), Yadier Molina (July 14), Chiefs Manager Jody Davis (July 28), Kerry Wood in a Chiefs uniform (August 4) and Harry Caray (August 11). The baseball set features a headshot and stats of four Chiefs players from last season: Grant Johnson (June 22), Ryan Harvey (June 29), Sean Gallagher (July 6) and Eric Patterson (August 24). Concerts The Chiefs have set up two post-game concerts for the 2006 season and are still planning on adding more throughout the season. Grammy award winning group Avalon will perform following the Friday June 30th game as part of Christian Night at O’Brien Field. After a one year absence, and back by popular request, Coco Loco returns to perform post-game as part of Jimmy Buffet Night on Saturday July 15th. Day Games The Chiefs have scheduled a handful of day games in 2006. On Friday May 5th and Saturday May 6th the Chiefs will begin play at 11:00 am due to Bradley games those nights. Wednesday May 17th is an 11:00 am game against West Michigan that serves as the annual DARE Day game. Wednesday July 18th the Chiefs will face off against South Bend at 11:00 am in the 2nd annual Super Splash Day at O’Brien Field. In addition, every Sunday game except for April 30th and May 7th will begin at 2:00 pm. The April 30th and May 7th games will begin at 6:30 pm due to earlier Bradley games those days. The two home Holiday Games, Memorial Day May 29th gametime is 5:00 pm and July 4th will begin at 5:30 pm. Weekly Promotions: Mondays will be Mountain Dew Half Price Mondays with all tickets half price: $5.00 Club Box, $4.50 Box, $3.00 Lawn. Tuesdays will again be Taco Bell Combo Tuesday. Fans may purchase any Taco Bell combo meal on any Tuesday gameday before 6:00 pm and get two free box seats for that evening’s game. All home Wednesdays in 2006 will be Dollar Day with $1.00 Hot dogs and $1.00 sodas Thursdays will be Family Fun Night with between inning games and music designed around entertaining the family. Fridays will again feature Premium Giveaways and On Field Entertainment including: Bobble Head giveaways, Blues Brothers. Myron Noodleman, Zooperstars, Famous Chicken, and Birdzerk. Saturdays in 2006 will be Fireworks Saturdays. Sundays will be Kids Day with Kids themed giveaways, Kids run the bases, Concourse Entertainment & Chiefs players sign autographs after every Sunday game.

Don't forget guys like Yusuf Carter, John Defendis, Brandon Taylor and maybe even a recovered Ryan Norwood. And guys who finished the year here in 05 and could be back for 06. And personally I think Phelps proved he is above this league, especially if he is gonna be a reliever. And Billek could easily contend for a Daytona spot in spring....

Sorry Im just now getting to this craig but I missed it over the weekend. Phelps just impressed me every time he went out there which was rare from our bullpen in 2005. He had a great slider, hard fastball, very confident kid and just had the makeup to go out there every night and compete and battle. He didnt giveaway at-bats like some younger pitchers tend to do at the MWL level. He threw a lot in college so I don't know what the plan is for him but I was so impressed with him out of the pen that I wouldn't be surprised if he stays there. He gave up 3 runs in 6 innings in Daytona so id imagine that where he'd start this season. Oh and for the poster who commented on Phelps' numbers at Lansing last year, the MWL team is now in Peoria as it was in 2005...

From Peoria's 2005 players watch for Fuld, Phelps, Johnson and Weber. Fuld impressed me day in and day out last year. Phelps was electric out of the pen and Johnson & Weber both had very little run support here last season.

thanks for breaking the story NCCubbieFan. They told us the 28th of Dec but asked us not to release it until they had a press conference today...but then it was in the Vineline that went out Tuesday so we were kind of stuck!

Former Cubs Catcher Jody Davis to Manage Chiefs Former Tiger Garbey and AAA Pitching Coach Bombard join staff PEORIA, IL— The Peoria Chiefs in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs have announced that former Cubs catcher and two-time National League All-Star Jody Davis will manage the Chiefs in 2006. Davis will be joined by hitting coach Barbaro Garbey and pitching coach Rich Bombard in the Peoria dugout while Nick Frangella serves as the athletic trainer. Davis, 49, will be managing for the first time in his career after rejoining the Cubs organization this off-season. He will join the Cubs staff and players on the Peoria stop of the Cubs Caravan on Thursday, January 12th at the RiverPlex. “I’ve had the itch to manage for three or four years,” said Davis. “I am really excited and really fired up about it. I hope to be a players guy, you always seem to get more when the players and coaches are all on the same page and working together toward a goal. I will be very intense and want to win as well. Dusty’s like that and most of my mangers were like that.” While he hasn’t worked as a coach or manager in the Cubs organization, Davis has spent time the last few years at Spring Training in Mesa, AZ helping out with the catchers. “There will definitely be an adjustment since I will be learning a whole new group of players and they will be learning me,” said Davis. “I’m sure that Oneri Fleita (Cubs Director of Player Development) and his staff will help as well. I should have enough time at spring traning to get into the swing of things. Plus the game hasn’t really changed a whole lot from when I was playing.” Davis, a native of Gainesville, GA, joined the Cubs in the Rule V draft in December 1980 and made his MLB debut in 1981. Originally chosen by the New York Mets in the 3rd round of the 1976 draft out of Middle Georgia College, Davis was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1979 before being selected by the Cubs a year later. In just under 1,100 games, Davis batted .245 with 127 career home runs while earning a Gold Glove in 1986 and two All-Star appearances. In 1983, Davis batted .271 with a career-high 24 home runs and 84 RBI while slugging .480. He finished the season 8th in the National League in home runs, slugging, RBI and extra base hits. A year later, Davis batted .256 with 19 homers and a career high 94 RBI while helping the Cubs win the Eastern Division. He finished 10th in MVP balloting and clubbed two homers in the NLCS against San Diego, one each coming in games 4 and 5. In September 1988, Davis was traded to the Atlanta Braves where he played two seasons. Among the pitchers Davis caught in his 10 year career are: Fergie Jenkins, Rick Sutcliffe, Lee Smith, Dennis Eckersley, Greg Maddux, Goose Gossage, John Smoltz and Tom Glavine. Davis is very excited to be back in the Cubs organization and in uniform. “The Cubs fans have always supported me,” said Davis. “Playing in Chicago for eight years I felt at home and I’ve always felt like a Cub. This is like coming home for me. I love going back to the conventions and seeing their hunger to win which I appreciate more now that I’m out of the game and watching these teams along with them. I’m really looking forward to this season in Peoria.” Garbey and Bombard join Cubs organization and Chiefs staff Barbaro Garbey has joined the Cubs organization and will serve as the Chiefs hitting coach making a return to the Midwest League after a two-year absence. Garbey last coached in the Detroit Tigers organization as the hitting coach in West Michigan in 2003. He was in the same capacity for the Tigers in Oneonta of the New York-Penn League in 2002. Last year, Garbey coached youngsters at the Total Sports Facility in suburban Detroit and in 2000 he managed the Metro Detroit Renegades in the Michigan Women’s Baseball League. Garbey, 39, made history in 1980 when he became the first player to ever leave the Cuban National team and come to the United States as one of 125,000 who left Cuba in the Mariel Boatlift. The infielder/outfielder signed with Detroit in 1980 and made his debut in April 1984. He played 110 games as a rookie that season getting time at first base, second base, third base, outfield and DH. Garbey batted .287 that season with five homers, 17 doubles and 52 RBI as the Tigers led the AL East from day one and won the World Series in five games over San Diego. Garbey spent the next season in Detroit under Hall of Fame Manager Sparky Anderson before he was traded to Oakland. In 1988 he played in 30 games for Texas before retiring. The Garbey family has a long history of successful athletic accomplishments both in Cuba and the United States. He is half brothers to both Livan and Orlando Hernandez who have combined to win four World Series in the last nine years. In 1978, Garbey was a member of the Cuban National Team that won the World Amateur Championships. His older brother Rolando won Cuba’s first ever International Gold Medal in the light-middleweight boxing class at the 1967 Pan American Games and then won a Silver Medal in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics and a Bronze in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. His sister Marcia took 4th at the 1972 Munich Olympics in the long jump which at the time was the highest ever finish for a Cuban woman in a track event. Rich Bombard is also new to the Cubs organization after being part of the Tigers, Red Sox and Angels minor league systems since 1991. The pitching coach was in AA Jacksonville with Detroit in 1998 before leaving to join the Red Sox system. He served as the pitching coach in AAA Pawtucket of the International League from 1999 through the 2002 season working with such pitchers as Brian Rose, Tomo Ohka, John Wasdin, Paxton Crawford, Ramon Martinez and Bret Saberhagen. Bombard joined the Angels in 2003 and stayed in AAA as the pitching coach for Salt Lake in the Pacific Coast League for two seasons. A 1982 10th round pick by the Houston Astros, Bombard pitched two seasons as the University of Florida leading the Gators to two regular-season SEC titles and back to back NCAA Regional appearances. In 1981 he went 9-2 with a 5.49 ERA in 13 starts. In the SEC tournament he was the winning pitcher in the championship game to give the Gators their first title in school history. The follow season, the right-hander went 11-6 with a 3.46 ERA and 11 complete games in 18 starts. In the ’82 SEC Tournament Bombard tossed back to back complete game wins and set four Florida SEC Tournament records that still stand including a 10-inning win. Until 2005 he was the only pitcher in SEC Tournament history to win two consecutive Championship games. Bombard is among the top 10 on the Gators single season pitching list in four categories and top 10 on the career list in two categories. Bombard’s brother Marc has served as a minor league manager for many years and his currently the first base coach for the Philadelphia Phillies under Charlie Manuel. The two coached together in the 2000 AAA All-Star Game while Marc was managing Scranton/ Bombard was also a coach in the 2001 AAA All-Star Game and with the World squad in the 1999 Futures Game. The Chiefs trainer will be Nick Frangella, a graduate of Illinois State University and a native of Orland Park, IL. This will be his second full season in the Cubs organization after he served in the same capacity in 2005 with the Short-Season Boise Hawks. He was a Cubs intern in 2004. . Peoria’s 2005 manager Julio Garcia took another position in the Cubs organization in October when he became the Field Coordinator for Latin America allowing him more time at his Texas home with his wife and two young children. Pitching Coach Tom Pratt will return to Daytona Beach where he is expected to be reunited with many of the Chiefs top 2005 pitching prospects. Matt Johnson, the Chiefs 2005 trainer, is expected to serve in the same capacity this season for AA West Tennessee in the Southern League

The Cubs have not offically announced a Peoria staff. Chicago press conference Thursday at 11:00 am. Ill post soon after as we've been asked not to announce anything before that....

we pick the place, but that is really it. the cubs pick the date, who is coming, and what they will do once they are there.

PEORIA, IL— The Chicago Cubs and Peoria Chiefs have announced that the Cubs Caravan is returning to Peoria on Thursday, January 12, 2006 at the RiverPlex and will again be highlighted by Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. Sandberg appeared at the Caravan in 2005 and returns along with Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry, Director of Player Development Oneri Fleita, pitchers Rich Hill, Bob Howry and Michael Wuertz, catcher Michael Barrett, radio announcer Pat Hughes and third base coach Chris Speier. Also joining the Cubs personnel for this leg of the Caravan is Chiefs pitcher Sean Gallagher who was selected to the 2005 Midwest League Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star teams and named the Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year. The event at the RiverPlex will begin at 5:45 PM with doors opening at 4:30 PM. All Cubs personnel will sign ONLY 200 autographs each. Each person attending the Caravan will be given a lottery ticket, chosen at random, entering the facility. This ticket will indicate the line they should enter to receive an autograph. This policy has been set by the Chicago Cubs and will be strictly enforced. Following the 45-minute autograph session, the program will begin promptly at 6:30 PM. The program will include a question and answer segment with the Cubs players and front office members, videos highlighting the Cubs and Chiefs 2005 seasons, ticket information for the Cubs and Chiefs, information on the Cubs and Chiefs Booster Clubs and a dinner. Tickets are available at O’Brien Field, Bergners locations at Sheridan Village and Pekin, Sports Corner in Peoria Heights, Brunk’s Sports Center in Washington, Bartonville Bank, and Morton Community Bank for $15.00 each. No tickets will be sold at the door. All proceeds from the event go to the Cubs Boosters benefiting local Little League programs. Hot dogs, chips, beer and soda will be served at the RiverPlex. Parking for the event at the RiverPlex will be limited. Event goers are encouraged to use the A2 CAT lot located on the corner of Hamilton and Water after 5:00 PM or the Riverfront parking lots. The Chiefs will provide shuttle transportation to and from the parking lot to the RiverPlex.

Jan 12th the Cubs Caravan will stop in Peoria. While the venue will not be set in stone until late next week, I can tell you that a couple of prominent 2005 Chiefs will be joining the Cubs players, coaches, broadcasters and former players on the Peoria stop. (From what I've seen our lineup will be better overall than last years) The site, ticket locations and autograph policies (as mandated by Cubs, not us) will be set next week. I just wanted those in the area to be able to clear Thursday night Jan 12 on their calendars to join us in downtown Peoria to kick off 2006. Check out the website for the official release next week, most likely Thursday or Friday and I will also come back and post it here. Thanks Nathan