Otto: Cubs new clubhouse reflects commitment to excellence
The Cub organization has made a sizable investment and commitment to their players. And a big indicator is their new clubhouse, a 30,000 square-foot palace. From the hyperbaric chamber, to the saunas, to the 3,800 square-foot training room, to the new weight room, to the on-site chef ... the Cubs have gone all out.
With payrolls around the league exceeding $100 million dollars it only makes sense for teams to take care of their most valuable assets, the players. Will all this win games? With the right type of players, I would say yes.
And what a difference a couple of years makes in the amenities available to players. In the early 1990s there were no on-site chefs in the home clubhouse of the Cleveland Indians.
The postgame spread used to be set out right in the middle of the locker room.
One night after a game, the postgame spread of turkey and stuffing didn't smell particularly appetizing.
There was no postgame spread that night for the 105- loss, 1991 Indians because we sent the turkey and stuffing to the umpire's room. I can't confirm this, but one of the umpires missed the game the following night.
The Cubs have a core group of young players that hasn't seen much of the minor leagues, which is testimony to just how talented they are. The difference between the minor leagues and major leagues is vast. And the motivation to get to the big leagues, and stay in the big leagues is enormous. For example, one fine afternoon in Triple-A I got taken out of the game early.
While icing my pitching shoulder in the clubhouse, I had the opportunity to watch the clubhouse manager lay out the postgame spread.
Well, the clubhouse manager had a dog that would roam the clubhouse. And every time the clubhouse manager walked away, the dog jumped up on the table and sampled the ribs.
Extra innings at Wrigley Field in the mid-90s could be a time of great hunger for players. I remember asking the Cubs' legendary equipment manager, Yosh Kawano, for something to eat in the 12th inning of a game. Yosh came back to the dugout with a candy bar. I proceeded to give up 6 runs. If only Yosh had an omelette.
Off the field, the Cub organization has had a great start to the 2016 season. I commend the Cubs organization for creating this masterpiece of a clubhouse. And the Cub organization has the right type of players to take full-advantage of what it has to offer.
On the field.
I have been impressed with the way this Cub lineup has gone about their business of swinging the bat. There have been games where the Cub lineup has grinded out at-bats against some pretty good pitching. There is nothing more frustrating to a pitcher than a hitter fouling off your best pitch, and extending the at-bat. Case in point, Alfredo Simon of the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. Simon didn't get out of the first inning. The entire Cub lineup wore him out.
Sometimes, no matter how good your lineup is, you get steam-rolled by a starting pitcher that happens to have a really good day. I thought that was the case this past Friday with the Rockies starting pitcher, Chad Bettis. Bettis had great stuff, and he made big pitches when they counted.
• Dave Otto, a standout athlete at Elk Grove High School, pitched from 1987-1994 for four MLB teams, including the Cubs. A former baseball analyst for WGN Radio, FoxSportsNet and Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Otto also is a member of the University of Missouri Hall of Fame.