Today and Tomorrow

Today is the report date for all Cubs pitchers and catchers with the first official workout to begin tomorrow…yes it’s nearly upon us, the start of the Cubs quest for the 2010 World Series title. As you know many of the players have been here in Mesa working out already with more arriving daily. The media showed up en masse today as well, and Fitch Park is starting to buzz…I already miss the quieter, gentler times of last week when I was the only person at Fitch with a camera.

Observations from today: Geo is gone, I don’t know where he went but I did see some skinny dude impersonating him. Seriously, Soto looks great, the conditioning and loss of weight should really help him as he looks to bounce back this season. Big Z was giving Geo a bit of a hard time about the old larger Geo (photo below). Marlon Byrd is built like an NFL LB, 6′ 245 lbs, the guy is ripped and comes to the Cubs with his not so secret weapon, hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo. Geo and Big Z were attempting to teach Kevin Millar some Spanish today with results that had all of them howling in laughter.

Boys of Spring got a nice mention in the Chicago Sun Times from Elliott Harris and his always fun Quick-Hits column. I don’t know about you but I’m stoked for tomorrow…Pitchers and Catchers! I’ll have a report and photos here after tomorrows practice.

Enjoy my photos from today’s workout.

Non-Roster Invitee Kevin Millar

Slim Geo

Rudy Jaramillo in Cubs blue

Soto

Bench Coach Alan Trammell hits some infield

Z, Dempster, and Lilly looking for some action

Jaramillo learning his way around Fitch Park

Soto and Byrd

Blanco and Bigger Z giving Soto some grief about last year’s weight

Geo looking fit