3 min read General Cubs Information

Opening Day

By Tim Sheridan
March 31, 2014

opening day 2014Finally, the start of the Cubs 2014 season is upon us, and I couldn’t be more excited. I feel like a kid about to celebrate a birthday, getting ready to unwrap that first present. What a day, at this moment, it feels like anything is possible. You probably guessed by now, I’m letting my rational brain take a break today. No projections of real wins and losses for the 2014 Chicago Cubs, I’m just going to enjoy the day, for whatever it may bring. I can think about reality – tomorrow.

That being said, my friend John Arguello over at Cubs Den wrote a blog yesterday about how the Cubs current, and future, action plan may be realized (at least in part) this season. It’s well worth the read.

I was over at Cubs Park yesterday watching Cubs AAA (Iowa) and AA (Tennessee) teams each win games over the LA Angels AAA (Salt Lake) and AA (Arkansas) ball clubs. While there, I had the chance to chat with AZPhil from The Cub Reporter, which is always enlightening. Nobody I’ve ever met outside of the Cubs organization knows more about the Cubs minor leagues than AZPhil. If you are a hardcore Cubs fanatic like me and want the nitty gritty of what is going on at the Cubs Mesa facility, then AZPhil is mandatory reading. Whether it’s instructs, extended spring, the Cubs AZ Rookie team, or the Fall League, AZPhil has it covered.

We closed a historic spring at the new Cubs Park this past weekend, so here’s a little retrospective of some of our favorite Boys of Spring photos taken over the past month and a half at Cubs spring training.  All photos with the Boys of Spring watermark were taken by John Antonoff, those with no watermark were taken by me. Go Cubs!

And now, let’s play ball!

Cubs Park made a grand opening in 2014
Cubs Park made a grand opening in 2014
Cubs Ryan Sweeney HR at Cubs Park
Ryan Sweeney HR
Cubs Matt Szczur makes diving grab at Cubs Park
Matt Szczur makes diving grab
One of two Luis Valbuena HR's vs the White Sox
One of two Luis Valbuena HR’s vs the White Sox
Justin Ruggiano belts a triple vs Reds
Justin Ruggiano belts a triple vs Reds
Anthony Rizzo another hit vs Reds, he was 3-3.
Anthony Rizzo another hit vs Reds, he was 3-3
Shawon Dunston Jr. rips single vs Reds
Shawon Dunston Jr. rips single vs Reds
Junior Lake steals a HR from Mariners Logan Morrison
Junior Lake goes high to steal a HR
Ryan Kalish
Always hustling Ryan Kalish
Javier Baez HR
Javier Baez goes yard
Mike Olt pounds a two-run HR in eight inning for Cubs frist win at Cubs Park
Mike Olt pounds a two-run HR in eight inning
Cubs prospect Kris Bryant hits first spring training HR as a Chicago Cub
Kris Bryant hits first Cub HR
Cubs prospect Kris Bryant hits first HR
Kris Bryant high 5 after blast
Cubs prospect Albert Almora
Albert Almora hits a double
Jeff Samardzija throws first pitch ever at Cubs Park
Jeff Samardzija throws first pitch ever at Cubs Park
Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins leads fans during 7th inning stretch at Cubs Park
Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins leads fans during 7th inning stretch
Christian Villanueva in Cubs Park opening game
Christian Villanueva goes high in attempt to snag one
Cubs Josh Vitters
Josh Vitters
Cubs Albert Almora signs for young fan
Albert Almora signs for young fan
Cubs Manager Rick Renteria has a good laugh
Rick Renteria cracks em up
Matt Szczur Chicago Cubs
Matt Szczur
Cubs Alcantara and Watkins
Arismendy Alcantara and Logan Watkins
Ryan Kalish at Cubs camp 2014
Ryan Kalish
Mike Olt at Cubs Park 2014
Mike Olt happy to be a Cub
Kris Bryant at Cubs Park spring 2014
Kris Bryant
Jeff Samardzija at Cubs Park spring 2014
Jeff Samardzija getting some live action
Javier Baez and Jorge Soler at Cubs Park spring of 2014
Javier Baez and Jorge Soler chill before workouts
Anthony Rizzo at Cubs camp 2014
Anthony Rizzo
Albert Almora at Cubs Park spring training 2014
Albert Almora
Manager Rick Renteria at Cubs Park
Manager Rick Renteria talks with pitchers
Jose Veras
Jose Veras
Nate Schierholtz works out at new Cubs Park in Mesa, AZ
Nate Schierholtz
Darwin Barney with McDowell Mountains in background
Darwin Barney with McDowell Mountains in background
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