Pitchers to get look at new Wrigley Field bullpens
MILWAUKEE - When the Chicago Cubs come home Monday for the Wrigley Field opener, their pitchers will be warming up in a new bullpen.
As part of the Wrigley Field renovations, the bullpens have been moved from foul territory down the left-field and right-field lines to under the bleachers.
The Cubs' bullpen will be under the left-field bleachers, with the visitors occupying the pens under the right-field bleachers.
Cameras in the bullpens will allow the managers, fans and media to see who is warming up.
"When I see it, I'll know," manager Joe Maddon said. "I think from the pitchers' perspective, they'll be shielded a little bit more, more controlled than the elements might be. I just want to see it. I'm curious. Is there the room, the flexibility within it for the player himself?
"Zero impact for me. I'm just hoping they (the pitchers) are fine with it. I'm sure they will be. I'm curious to see the depth of the ceiling, the height, the comfort component of it."
Jon Lester, who starts Opening Night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, will be the first Cubs pitcher to warm up in the new pen before a game.
"I actually think that the bullpen move is going to help us with all the stuff," he said Sunday. "You're kind of separated from things. You're in a tunnel. You're away from everybody. It's more of just a mutual warmup. You don't get to really see what's going on.
"Now it's more about timing. Make sure you stay on time and ready for the game."
Historical award for Schwarber:
Left fielder Kyle Schwarber was honored Saturday by the Middletown (Ohio) Historical Society with the 2017 History Maker Award. Schwarber's home city is Middletown.
The award cites Schwarber for the 2016 Cubs world championship.
"It means a lot to be able to be recognized in your hometown by the Historical Society," he said. "It's something you want to do for your hometown - you want to make them proud and give them something to cheer for. For them to recognize me with that, to formally put it down as something the city is proud of, that's that it's all about.
"You want to be a role model. You want to be a leader."
Of course, Schwarber could not be on hand for the dinner and awards ceremony, so his sister and brother-in-law accepted for him.
According to the Historical Society, Schwarber donated an autographed hat for a silent auction and an autographed World Series baseball for the Society's collection.
This and that:
After going hitless in the three games at St. Louis, Kris Bryant had hits in all three games against the Brewers, totaling 7 hits … Addison Russell has hit safely in five of six games. … Ben Zobrist had a homer Sunday. He is 17-for-51 (.333) with 4 doubles, 2 homers, 6 RBI and 11 walks in 14 games at Miller Park.