Pie is the guy, and a quiz

The Cubs pulled off an exciting 7-6 victory over the Texas Rangers in front of 12,757 sun-drenched fans at Hohokam. The game was tied 6-6 when Felix Pie hit a 2 out triple in the bottom of the 9th, followed by an Eric Patterson single up the middle to knock in the winning run.

Cubs were fueled by Mark DeRosa’s 3-run homer in the 1st, he looks to be recovered from the flu that kept him out yesterday. Felix Pie has really had a good spring, both in the field and at the plate, besides the triple, he also had a single and a run-scoring double along with a sacrifice bunt. Pie covers alot of ground in centerfield, and has been making outstanding running catches all spring. Daryle Ward came in to pinch-hit in the 8th, and promptly smacked a base hit. Ronny Cedeno had an RBI single, stole 2nd, got to 3rd on an error, and finally scored on a Soriano sacrifice fly. Soriano also drew a walk in the 1st inning. Derrek Lee was 1 for 3, with a run scored.

Ryan Dempster, who has won a spot in the rotation, started today went 4 and 2/3rds innings, gave up 4 runs on 8 hits. He struck out 5 Rangers, but also walked 3. John Lieber who will be a Cubs long relief man (probably because he’s willing to do it) pitched 3 innings and gave up 2 runs. Carlos Marmol came in to a tough situation, with bases loaded and 2 outs, he got the K to end the 5th inning. Les Walrond held the Rangers scoreless in the 9th.

Clydesdale’s at Hohokam Stadium today.

A warm day at the park, 82 degrees at first pitch. The Anheuser Busch Clydesdale’s made a visit to the ballpark. They carried Hohokam ticket manager Nancy Hunter, who’s celebrating her 10th season, around the warning track to home plate. I was behind Steve Stone in the press room lunch line and he got the last of the chicken fajitas. Today’s game was the 10th sell-out of the spring training season for the Cubs at Hohokam. The Cubs have the highest spring home attendance in all of Major League Baseball. Combined with their road attendance, the Cubs are the most seen team this spring. Kosuke Fukudome had the day off, coming into today’s game he had the 2nd most walks in the majors.

The Cubs head up to Scottsdale tomorrow to take on the Giants, Rich Hill looking to get back on track after his last disappointing outing.

As I mentioned Saturday, my family and friends surprised me with a party to celebrate 25 Cubbie springs PA announcing. One of the cool things they did was have a 25th Anniversary quiz for guests. I thought it might be fun to put the quiz on here and make a contest out of it. Here are the 9 quiz questions. Whoever correctly guesses the most answers will win: an autographed Ron Santo baseball card, a copy of Wrigley Season Ticket 2008, a dvd -“Vince Lloyd, The Voice of Summer”, and 2007 and 2008 Cubs Spring Training Programs and anything else I find to throw in.

Email your answers to [email protected] by end of Cubs Opening Day, March 31st.

1. The first Cubs player name Tim ever announced was?
2. How many Cubs Managers have their been since Tim started doing the Cubs spring games?
3. True or False. When Tim started they did not play music at old Hohokam Park games.
4. True or False. At old Hohokam, Tim did the Public Address and played the music.
5. True or False. Harry Caray used to sing the 7th inning stretch using Tim’s PA microphone?
6. True or False. Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins was on the Cubs Roster when Tim started?
7. True of False. Tim was paid $20 per game when he first started.
8. True or False. Tim’s favorite name to announce has been Mark Grace.
9. In Tim’s first season of 1984, he announced 3 future Hall of Famers playing in the same game, who were they?

In the event of a tie, the people with the most correct answers will be put into a drawing for the prize. Good Luck!