The Home Opener isn't until today (weather permitting...), but this young Cubs season has already been filled to the brim with drama, heartache and ecstasy.
If you watched tonight's game, I hope you had a defribillator standing by during the fifth inning. With the Cubs up 6 to 2, starter Ryan Dempster sought to throw the game away with one pitch by loading the bases for the Brew Crew's powerfully rotund Prince Fielder.
Fielder connected and sent a towering fly ball to right centerfield. Fortunately, Cubs outfielder Reed Johnson (a mid-game replacement after Milton Bradley shockingly injured his groin) was ready to perform an Easter miracle. Flying through the air with the greatest of ease, Johnson scaled the wall, stretched his mitt over the top of the wall and snatched the ball from the clutches of the centerfield bullpen to nullify a would-be game-tying grand slam.
See for yourself. I've watched it about 12 times and I don't think I'll ever get sick of it. My favorite part might be Fielder's dejected walk back to the dugout. That's gotta hurt.
I've seen a lot of baseball games and this is definitely near the top of my list of defensive plays. Aside from Johnson's impeccably timed jump, the situation surrounding the play increases the importance of the catch. We won the rubber game of the series, made Brewers fans cry on Easter and created some awesome momentum going into our first homestand. A stellar defensive play means so much more when it has side benefits like that.
This weekend's series is also a testament to the grand rivalry that has developed between the Brewers and the Cubbies. Every game was a playoffesque battle, and I'm happy to report that we're winning the war right now.
Nevertheless, the Cubs have some questions to answer. Most pressing: Does Lou Piniella know how to manage the bullpen? How much more time do we give Kevin Gregg as closer? And is Johnson's catch just one more reason to put Fukudome on the bench?
Leave your thoughts below and happy Opening Day!
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Matt Paolelli
Matt Paolelli has been root, root, rooting for the Cubbies since before he could stand on his own during the Seventh Inning Stretch. More
Comments
I agree that Johnson has earned more playing time, after all what more can the guy do? Fuku seems to have his early season game and Bradley is colder than ice - why not platoon the two of them and let Johnson have center to himself?
Letting Kerry Wood go for Gregg is a mistake from a player assessment standpoint and more importantly from a quality of ownership point of view. We lose one of the toughest, hard nosed ball players in the game, who also happens to be a very good closer, and one of the best team mates in the game - for what? To save some money? This pennywise and pound foolish mentality would rather pay Fuku and Bradley $10 mm + a year each for the two in the bush than to pay a proven, diehard Cub what he is worth.
Move D Lee down to the number 8 spot, he is killing us with his inability to get the ball out of the infield.
Cut Lou some slack on the relievers - pitchers at this level should be able to throw a strike on command. Lou has to learn which guys he can count on in game situations, it's early yet.
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