Results tagged ‘ Ken Griffey Jr. ’

7/4 To hit or not to hit

The Cubs did take batting practice on Sunday but shortened the session.

“I let the hitting coach decide today if we wanted to hit or not,” Lou Piniella said. “I think he’s cut it down some. I’ve always subscribed to that theory that at times, less is more. Just relax. let your ability take over and play.”

The Cubs did not hit prior to Saturday’s game, but part of the reason was the early start time. They won, although they also stranded 17 baserunners.

“When I managed in Seattle, we used to go to Detroit and take batting practice and we used to hit balls over the roof and I had [Ken Griffey Jr.], and [Jay] Buehner and Edgar [Martinez] and we’d hit balls over the roof, and I couldn’t wait for the game to start and we’d lose 5-2 with three infield singles. So, we decided get on the bus at 5:15, 5:30 and go to the ballpark and not take any batting practice and go play, and we scored nine or 10 runs.”

– Carrie Muskat

12/18 Milton on Milton

Milton Bradley didn’t want to talk about the Cubs or the past during a 10-minute conference call with the media Friday. Bradley was dealt to the Mariners for pitcher Carlos Silva and said he’s always enjoyed the city of Seattle.

Asked how important it was to get a fresh start, Bradley said he just looked forward to playing baseball again “in a positive environment, good atmosphere, good group of guys. It should be fun.”

What went wrong with the Cubs?

“You know, I’ve already moved forward,” he said. “I made a statement about Chicago. I’m a Seattle Mariner. Chicago’s a thing of the past. I’m not interested in rehashing old news.”

He is looking forward to playing with Ken Griffey Jr., who, Bradley said, was one of two players he ever wanted an autograph from. The other was Barry Bonds.

Bradley didn’t have a list of teams he wanted to be traded to.

“I didn’t request anything,” he said. “It became apparent to me that I was going to be traded to someone at some point. I didn’t really keep track of anything. I knew there were some teams out there. Seattle had been mentioned at some point. It kind of happened quickly.”

– Carrie Muskat

Thursday extra bases

Former Cubs pitcher Rick Sutcliffe will be back in uniform with the team on Friday. Sutcliffe will share his expertise and a few jokes with the coaches and players until he has to report to the broadcast booth for the World Baseball Classic. He was teasing one of the veteran groundskeepers on Thursday about how they would rake the warning track but not the infield when he was pitching.

  • Just so there’s no confusion, Lou Piniella says he’s sticking with Alfonso Soriano as his leadoff man. That’s for the regular season. You may see Soriano hitting elsewhere in the order in Cactus League games so others can try out for the No. 1 spot.
  • Single game tickets go on sale Friday.
  • The Cubs will workout at Fitch Park until Monday, and then move down the street to HoHoKam Park.
  • Piniella on Ken Griffey Jr. rejoining the Seattle Mariners: ”That’s wonderful. He’s going back to Seattle and he’s going to the Hall of Fame in a Seattle uniform. He started his career there and had 10 great years there. It’s good for the city and good for Junior to go back to his roots. I’m happy for both of them.”
  • Piniella hasn’t talked to Tom Ricketts, who has exclusive negotiating rights to buy the Cubs. Said Piniella: “We look forward to seeing him and meeting him and talking baseball with him — and maybe even [talking about] some stocks.”

– Carrie Muskat

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