Cubs Players Surprised By Quade's Planning
The players on the Cubs were used to knowing if and where they were playing at the last minute. For many, this throws their game off, not having a chance to plan for it. Mike Quade appears to be changing that for the Cubs.
Mike Quade already had the attention of his Chicago Cubs players during his first spring training as a big league manager, between his hands-on approach during drills, added attention to fundamentals, and an infectious energy he brings to work.
But not even the most alert player saw this coming Friday: lineups posted for the first three exhibition games, two days in advance of the spring opener, complete with each starter's backup for the day listed in parentheses.
Players sometimes grumbled the past four years under Lou Piniella about how late lineups were posted and how little notice they got about when and where they'd play.
"No one can say they're not ready if they see three days of lineups," said Quade.
"It's obviously more important during the season. I'd like guys prepared. I'd like to do what I can in advance. They understand that it can be tentative. But you're not bogged down (in the spring) with injuries, with a three-game losing streak, all the things that go into it when the stuff starts up north."
The players took notice, just as they did during the final 37 games last season, when Quade ran the team on an interim basis after Piniella retired.
"When you have that much notice, it helps," said non-roster veteran Reed Johnson, who's trying to win the lone outfield job in camp. "You begin to prepare yourself. You visualize at-bats off a guy that you know you've faced before, and you can do that the night before."
Johnson learned Friday he'll be the Cubs' leadoff hitter and center fielder on Monday and bat seventh, in left field, on Tuesday.
"When you're a non-everyday guy, it's tough when you're not given a ton of warning," he said.
"It goes back to trying to create environments where everybody's happy, and there's no excuses," Quade said.
Notes: Quade said the team has no injury issues as it opens Cactus League play Sunday against Oakland at HoHoKam Park. ... Right-hander Carlos Zambrano is scheduled to start and pitch two innings in Sunday's opener, with newly acquired right-hander Matt Garza following him for two. Closer Carlos Marmol is also scheduled to pitch in the game.
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