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Results tagged ' From the Pages of Vine Line '
The Best of 2014: No. 7, Maddux gets the call
(Photo by Jim McIssac/Getty Images)
Every baseball season is filled with memorable moments, and this year's Cubs campaign was no exception. Cornerstone players had bounceback seasons, newer additions stepped up, and top prospects made their big league debuts. To wrap up the year, we asked you to pick your top 10 moments of 2014. From now until the end of the year, we'll be unveiling one moment per day.
No. 10: Rizzo's late-season walk-off homer
No. 9: Hendricks makes an easy transition to the bigs
No. 8: Castro, Rizzo named All-Stars
Former Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux is inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame—July 27
Greg Maddux making his way into Cooperstown on the first ballot was probably just as much of a certainty as his winning an annual Gold Glove Award or confounding opposing hitters when he took the bump every fifth day. The 6-foot, 170-pound starter may not have looked like a prototypical ace, but he compiled 355 wins over a 23-year career and established himself as one of the best starting pitchers of the modern era.
"It's sort of hard to believe I'm standing here today," Maddux told MLB.com at the induction. "I never gave a thought about the Hall of Fame as I was going through my career. My goal as a baseball player was very simple: All I wanted to do was try to get better for my next start. To think it all ended up here is pretty cool."
Maddux came up through the Cubs system and spent 10 years with the big league club, from 1986-92 and 2004-06. He captured his first Cy Young Award in 1992 before heading to Atlanta as a free agent. The right-hander returned to the Cubs staff 12 years later to serve as a mentor to a young, talented rotation.
He won six Gold Gloves on the North Side and captured 133 victories, posting a 3.61 ERA.
The Best of 2014: No. 8, Castro, Rizzo named All-Stars
(Photo by Stephen Green)
Every baseball season is filled with memorable moments, and this year's Cubs campaign was no exception. Cornerstone players had bounceback seasons, newer additions stepped up, and top prospects made their big league debuts. To wrap up the year, we asked you to pick your top 10 moments of 2014. From now until the end of the year, we'll be unveiling one moment per day.
No 10: Rizzo's late-season walk-off homer
No 9: Hendricks makes an easy transition to the bigs
Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo are named to the 2014 All-Star Game—July 10
Prior to the 2014 season, the Cubs' biggest question mark was whether their two cornerstone players, Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo, could bounce back from disappointing 2013 campaigns. By midseason, Castro and Rizzo had put those fears to rest, rebounding to capture well-deserved All-Star honors, their third and first selections, respectively.
Rizzo, who was chosen via 8.8 million fan votes for the final roster spot, headed into the Midsummer Classic with 20 homers (good for third in the NL), 49 RBI and a .275/.381/.499 (AVG/OBP/SLG) slash line, while playing solid defense at first base. His .879 OPS at the break ranked 14th in the National League, and his 53 walks ranked fifth.
Castro pulled into the break with 11 homers and 26 doubles (seventh in the NL), to go with his .276/.326/.440 line. He also improved his defense, a part of his game that had been viewed as a weakness in previous seasons. At just 24 years old, Castro joined Ernie Banks and Don Kessinger to become only the third Cubs shortstop to make three All-Star Games.
The Best of 2014: No. 9, Hendricks makes an easy transition to the bigs
(Photo by Stephen Green)
Every baseball season is filled with memorable moments, and this year's Cubs campaign was no exception. Cornerstone players had bounceback seasons, newer additions stepped up, and top prospects made their big league debuts. To wrap up the year, we asked you to pick your top 10 moments of 2014. From now until the end of the year, we'll be unveiling one moment each day.
No. 10: Rizzo's late-season walk-off homer
No. 9: Kyle Hendricks makes six straight starts with at least 6.1 inings pitched and no more than one earned run, July 22 – Aug. 18
Among the many vaunted prospects in the Cubs system, right-handed pitcher Kyle Hendricks tended to get overlooked. It's not as if people necessarily doubted the 24-year-old, whose fastball averaged merely 87.9 mph last year, but few expected him to dominate the way he did.
Hendricks' accuracy, combined with his meticulous pregame preparation and countless hours of video work, took him to another level once he reached the major leagues in July. In 13 big league starts, the Dartmouth grad put up a 7-2 record with a 2.46 ERA, went 5.1 innings in 12 of 13 starts and gave up more than two runs in just three of those efforts.
Hendricks' finest work of his nascent major league career came during a six-game stretch from July 22-Aug. 18, in which he surrendered no more than one run in any game and twice recorded no earned runs.
"When guys get on base, they're saying he's tough, he's sneaky, he has good pitches, he commands them," Anthony Rizzo said of Hendricks to the Chicago Tribune. "The best part is, it seems he can induce a double-play ball whenever [he wants to]."
The Best of 2014: No. 10, Rizzo's late-season walk-off homer
(Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
Every baseball season is filled with memorable moments, and this year's Cubs campaign was no exception. Cornerstone players had bounceback seasons, newer additions stepped up, and top prospects made their big league debuts. To wrap up the year, we asked you to pick your top 10 moments of 2014. From now until the end of the year, we'll be unveiling one moment a day.
No. 10: Anthony Rizzo ends a scoreless game with a walk-off home run—Sept. 15 vs. Cincinnati
After sitting out nearly three weeks due to a back injury, Anthony Rizzo returned to action in mid-September and made an immediate impact.
Lower back stiffness caused the power hitter to miss 18 games, but he certainly appeared healthy when he stepped to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning with the game knotted at 0-0 and launched a Pedro Villarreal pitch into the center-field bleachers for a walk-off home run.
The first baseman was greeted at home plate by his teammates, who doused him with water before piling on in celebration. While running away from the exuberant scrum, the slugger jokingly grabbed his back.
"I did it on purpose, just messing around with the guys," Rizzo told MLB.com. "I definitely thought about [my back] the whole game. To get through the game tonight was nice."
It was Rizzo's third walk-off hit of the 2014 campaign, following a homer against Miami on June 6 and a single versus Tampa Bay on Aug. 10. His 32 homers in 2014 ranked second in the National League.
From the Pages of Vine Line: The Best Defense
Kris Bryant has spent a lot of time working on his defense at third base. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Defense is often a forgotten element of baseball, yet many clubs find it just as important as a player's offensive output. As an organization, the Cubs are working hard to ensure prospects become well-rounded players. The following story can be found in the December issue of Vine Line.
In an empty ballpark in Des Moines, Iowa, top prospect Kris Bryant walked over to the third-base bag, crouched down and waited for a coach to send another ground ball his way. Several hundred miles to the south, 2014 first-round pick Kyle Schwarber put on his catching gear and blocked pitches in the dirt hours before his game that night in Daytona.
Both Schwarber and Bryant will likely be big leaguers in the near future—their ability to hit the ball all but guarantees it—but to become well-rounded players, and to help the Cubs win tight games in a pennant race, they know they must become just as proficient on defense.
"Improving your defense is about drills and repetition and having the aptitude and instincts," said Cubs Director of Player Development Jaron Madison. "But it's also about buying into doing the extra work needed to get better."
Though heady offensive numbers still generate headlines and move young players up the ladder, minor league prospects must also focus on their glove work to succeed. This includes everything from making better reads on the ball to moving away from their "natural" positions.
The Cubs have specialized coordinators who lay out plans for the minor league coaching staffs. Anthony Iapoce and Tom Beyers handle the outfielders in the system, Jose Flores covers the infielders, and Tim Cossins oversees the catchers.
The process begins with Madison and his staff evaluating what each player can do naturally on the field. That goes beyond just looking at stats like errors and fielding percentage.
"Footwork for infielders and catchers is huge," Madison said. "Athleticism and quickness off the ball are things you bear down on. You can help players become more mechanically sound with their footwork, but if a guy is slow off the ball, you know you can't keep him at short or second base long term."
Outfielders, meanwhile, need more than just speed and athleticism to chase down fly balls. They also must develop a sixth sense for reading the ball as soon as it's hit so they can anticipate where they need to be, all while taking the shortest route possible.
"Plus, you need to read the spin on the ball," Madison said. "It's different on a ball hit to right field than on a ball hit to left. That's why you can stick your best infielder out there, and he'll still have a hard time just catching a ball because of how the spin makes it move."
Many players ultimately can't cut it at the positions they came up playing. Madison said he likes to give them as much time as possible to prove they can play their natural spot, but often a change must be made.
Middle infielders with good arms, soft hands and baseball smarts, but not enough range, tend to move behind the plate, where their skills and intangibles are a big asset. Catchers who struggle with game calling often get moved to the outfield or first base. Many scouts in the Cubs organization figured that's what would happen with Schwarber.
"On draft day, the room was split 60/40, with the majority thinking he wouldn't be able to stay behind the plate," Madison said."But Tim Cossins spent 10 days with him working on drills and talking about the nuances of catching, and he really made huge improvements right away."
Schwarber, who has said he wants to remain at catcher if possible, has bought into the importance of defense. And if the Royals and Giants proved anything this year, it's that defense still wins championships.
From the Pages of Vine Line: What will the Cubs do with their surplus of shortstops?
(Photo by Stephen Green)
The Cubs may be only a brief stop away from their next destination. Or, perhaps, a shortstop. That is, if they are willing to trade one.
In his postseason address to season ticket holders, President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein said he expects the team to contend for a division title in 2015. And that was before marquee manager Joe Maddon first put on the pinstripes at the Cubby Bear.
With holes still to fill, the Cubs can't stop short with their hiring of Maddon. In their quest to be the best, middle-infield depth could be the key to acquiring more pieces to the puzzle.
Since arriving in October 2011, Epstein and his front office mates have done a lot of heavy lifting to strengthen the organization—signing international free agents, making astute picks in the June amateur draft and trading for other teams' top prospects. As a result, the Cubs' system is rated among the consensus top three in the majors.
At this stage, moving surplus talent, notably at shortstop, could be vital to improving the major league product.
"I believe the Cubs potentially have three All-Stars in [Starlin] Castro, [Javier] Baez and [Addison] Russell," said a top major league executive. "I watched Russell last year in the Arizona Fall League. This year in the minor leagues, he got a little thicker and stronger. This young man is going to be a fine hitter and could very well be an All-Star shortstop. I love his natural instincts. Nothing about his game is below average."
The Cubs acquired Oakland's top draft picks from 2012 and 2013—Russell and outfielder Billy McKinney—along with pitcher Dan Straily in a July 4 deal for starting pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel. Athletics General Manager Billy Beane said he didn't want to trade the 20-year-old Russell, rated the No. 5 prospect in the game by MLB.com, but succumbed to the urge to add pitching depth in hopes of making a deep playoff run last season.
Of the three shortstops in question, Baez has the greatest power potential. His lack of contact at the major league level—95 strikeouts in his first 213 at-bats—hasn't tempered the club's confidence in him. Epstein said Baez will start the 2015 campaign on the Cubs' 25-man roster, "barring anything out of the ordinary."
A top National League scout raved about the raw skills he sees in Baez, who turns 22 on Dec. 1.
"I love his power, and he really seems comfortable at shortstop," the scout said. "He's not a flashy fielder—just gets the ball and throws the runner out. Baez has less moving parts than Castro.
"Will he hit? I really think so. Remember when [Anthony] Rizzo first came up in San Diego? He struck out almost 40 percent of the time. That bat speed and the quick hands cannot be taught. [Baez] is 21 and struck out at every level a lot of times until he figured it out. I like him as a shortstop, second baseman or third baseman. And I see a lot of extra-base hits in his future."
The Cubs' third shortstop jewel is the young veteran Castro, already a three-time All-Star at just 24 years old. His recovery from a disappointing 2013 season was a boon for both him and the organization.
After landing a seven-year, $60 million contract in August 2012, Castro seemed to enter 2013 as if he had nothing to prove. He reported to camp 10 pounds heavier and never hit his stride, batting just .245 on the season (39 points below his current lifetime average).
In 2014, a rededicated Castro led the team in hitting with a .292 mark from the middle of the order and regained his All-Star status. Working with infield instructor Gary Jones, he also reduced his errors from 22 to 15—the first season in four he didn't lead major league shortstops in miscues.
The question of what the Cubs will do with their surplus of middle-infield talent could be answered this winter. If so, Castro might be the likeliest to go. At least three major-market teams will be seeking a top shortstop, and Castro would seem the most marketable commodity as an already-established big league star.
Ultimately, the Cubs could elect to keep all three shortstops—each 24 or younger—and move two of them to different positions. Baez is currently scheduled to be the Opening Day second baseman, with Russell ticketed to play shortstop at either Double-A Tennessee or Triple-A Iowa.
Maddon's arrival seems to accelerate the team's timetable for winning. A blockbuster deal for a top young pitcher could be the next step.
In other words, don't sell Epstein short. Not so long as he has shortstops to sell.
—Bruce Levine and Joel Bierig
From the Pages of Vine Line: An inside look at The 1060 Project
(Photo by Stephen Green)
To strengthen the franchise and provide additional streams of revenue, the Ricketts family and the Cubs organization have broken ground on the most ambitious restoration and expansion of Wrigley Field in the ballpark's 100-year history. The following story can be seen in the November issue of Vine Line.
Even by American standards, Chicago is a relatively new city architecturally speaking. When a raging inferno wipes out a town's entire central business district in the late 19th century, it does force planners and architects to start fresh.
The landmark structures that define the Chicago cityscape are all of recent vintage. Navy Pier was completed in 1916, the Wrigley Building in 1924 and the Willis (née Sears) Tower in 1973.
That makes Wrigley Field, which first opened its doors as Weeghman Park on April 23, 1914, one of the most venerable and historic structures in one of America's great cities. When you walk into the Friendly Confines today, the feeling of shared history and connection to the game's glorious past is palpable. It's easy to imagine Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown squaring off against Christy Mathewson or Billy Williams striding to the plate to face Bob Gibson.
"So much has happened in the last 100 years, but Wrigley is still the same," said Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts. "It is the same ballpark your grandfather came to. It is the ballpark you'll be able to take your grandkids to. It has a great history—the clubhouse where Babe Ruth got dressed, where Lou Gehrig played, where the Bears played for 50 years—it's a building filled with 100 years of incredible memories."
But the Wrigley Field Ruth played in is actually much different from the ballpark Williams played in. And that one is much different from the one Anthony Rizzo, Starlin Castro and Jake Arrieta call home today.
As the second-oldest facility in the major leagues—behind Boston's Fenway Park—Wrigley Field is uniquely connected to its past. But while people think of Wrigley as constant and unchanging, and speak wistfully of its early days, it has actually undergone a series of enhancements and improvements over the years to keep up with the evolving game of baseball.
The ballpark Brown played in seated a little more than 14,000 people in one deck and had only a small section of bleachers. Williams experienced the modern bleachers and scoreboard, which were installed in 1937, but never played a night game at home.
Beginning this offseason, the world-famous ballpark, which just completed its 100th anniversary season, will take the next major step in its evolution, as the long-awaited restoration and expansion, known as The 1060 Project, is now underway. This privately funded, $575 million upgrade is designed to ensure the viability of the Friendly Confines for future generations of Cubs fans, while retaining the features that make Wrigley Field so special.
The four-year plan—which will include structural upgrades; improved player facilities; new fan amenities; outfield signage, including video boards in left and right field; expanded concessions; new and improved restroom facilities; and much more—will be rolled out in four phases, beginning this offseason.
The goal of The 1060 Project—so named for Wrigley Field's address, 1060 W. Addison St.—is simple: to preserve the beauty, charm and historic features of Wrigley Field that fans have cherished for a century, while upgrading the overall gameday experience.
"Wrigley is a special place because it's organic," said Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein. "It's a part of the neighborhood in a way that no other ballpark is. It's very much unchanged over the last 100 years, so you feel a connection to previous generations and previous players. To be able to walk through the tunnel and know that that's where Billy Williams and Ernie Banks—or on the visiting side, all the way back to Babe Ruth—walked. It resonates the same way that baseball does for me, which is that it connects you to your past and connects you to the next generation."
The 1060 Project isn't just about modernization, though better food and amenities do require that. It also includes restoring Wrigley Field to its mid-1930s glory, when the ballpark was at its peak. The entire project team brings local and national experience working on historic facilities and respects its responsibility to maintain the park's unique atmosphere. To get the details right, they have spent years studying and researching historical minutiae. This has required everything from poring over old photographs to studying soil samples.
"The ballpark always was designed to be very light and transparent," said William Ketcham, principal at VOA, the architect of record on the construction drawings. "As we go back in time, the bottom register of the ballpark will be back to its original finishes of stucco and brick and terracotta with windows in it. The upper register will become iron and transparent grillage again. So the wind will blow through the park, and the light will come into the park in a way that is more historic. The way that it presents itself to the street again will be more delicate, a little lighter. The additions that we're putting on the outside of the building will be of a vocabulary that is respectful of that tradition of the ironwork that was here in the '20s and '30s."
It's easy to be inspired by the one-of-a-kind experiences Wrigley Field provides: walking up the stairs and seeing the lush, green field for the first time; tracking the game's progress via the hand-operated scoreboard; measuring the time of year by the amount of ivy covering the brick outfield walls. Leaving those features untouched while updating the ballpark so it's prepared to last another 100 years presents its share of challenges.
"We've had engineers and contractors looking at every aspect of this building for the last two years documenting existing conditions and how the building is today, and utilizing that intelligence that we've learned in the design process, but there are still things that we haven't been able to uncover," said Michael Harms, senior vice president of Icon Venue Group, the project management team for the restoration. "We're going to expose almost every square inch of this building in the phases we're going to do, and we know there are surprises out there. The solution to that challenge is that we've hired a great group of professionals who are going to solve those problems and keep the project moving forward."
To ensure the integrity of the Friendly Confines is maintained throughout the restoration process, the design team visited a number of iconic, older sporting venues—including Fenway Park, Dodger Stadium and the Rose Bowl—that recently underwent major renovations. No modern sporting facility would be designed like Wrigley Field was—the ballpark was constructed 100 years ago—so everyone working on the project wanted to be as prepared as possible before breaking ground.
"Our experience thus far in working with the Cubs organization and the Ricketts family is they want to do this right," Harms said. "That's, frankly, the best thing we could ever hear because we want to make sure everything we do in this ballpark improves the fan experience, restores the ballpark back to history and restores the ballpark for generations to come."
To help fans better understand the scope of the project, which will be rolled out in four phases, here's what you can expect at the corner of Clark and Addison in the coming years.
The primary focus of the first phase of The 1060 Project will be structural work to prepare Wrigley Field for enhancements and improvements over the course of the construction plan.
During Phase One, major structural steel and deep foundation work will be performed in the concourse on the third-base (left-field) side of the ballpark from Gate K to home plate.
"It's striking that so many things about the ballpark haven't been addressed over the years," Ricketts said. "I think we had decades where the stewards of the ballpark just did not address enough, particularly in the infrastructure of the ballpark. We're going to address that. We know what we have to do, and we're excited to get started on it."
Phase One will also focus on expanding and improving the left- and right-field Budweiser Bleachers. Before the 2014 season ended, the team purchased more sidewalk space behind the ballpark on Waveland and Sheffield avenues to accommodate the expansion. The outer walls of Wrigley Field will now extend to the edge of where the sidewalk used to be.
The plan calls for an additional 300 seating positions in the left- and right-field bleachers and 300 more standing room positions in the bleacher deck. There will be new concession areas under the bleachers as well as group terraces where fans can congregate to enjoy Cubs games and other events.
The Friendly Confines will also get new outfield signage, including a 3,990-square-foot video board in left field and a 2,400-square-foot video board in right field. These will provide fans with real-time stats and information about the Cubs and their opponents during games.
"Wrigley has a very special vibe. It's a special place," Ricketts said. "We respect that. We think we understand what makes it so special. All the things that people associate with this beautiful ballpark will be preserved. It will just have better amenities and better services."
To win at the major league level, the Cubs must do much more than draft, sign and develop the right mix of players. They also must provide those players with the kind of best-in-class, off-the-field facilities needed to train players, rehabilitate injuries and prepare for the season. Phase Two of The 1060 Project will feature the improvement and expansion of the home clubhouse to give the team the best facilities in the game. The new clubhouse will be located directly west of the stadium beneath the new plaza, the current site of the Purple and Red parking lots.
"We want our players to have every possible advantage to compete on the most competitive stage there is night in, night out and to put themselves in a position to stay healthy and effective for 162 games, which is increasingly difficult in this modern era," Epstein said. "It's hard enough to get yourself ready to play and do it 162 times, but when you have dated facilities that are falling apart and that are limited—we don't even have a batting tunnel to get players ready for the game—it's really hard for players to get physically prepared, fundamentally prepared and mentally prepared for the game.
"It's a good feeling for us to know that the players are going to have the best possible support to go out and compete. That, to me, is the most important part of a new ballpark."
The current 11,000-square-foot clubhouse will be replaced by a state-of-the-art, 30,000-square-foot space, giving the Cubs one of the largest clubhouses in the game. This new area will include a locker room for players and coaches, a strength and conditioning center, training and hydrotherapy areas, a media center, team offices and a player lounge.
The former clubhouse area will be redeveloped into a new, larger dugout, two underground batting tunnels, an auditorium and additional office space for team officials.
Phase Two plans also include the development of a new home-plate club and a third-base club for premium and season ticket holders. The third-base club will be adjacent to the batting tunnels so fans can get a glimpse of Cubs players taking their practice swings prior to at-bats.
To enhance player safety, the home and visiting bullpens will be relocated from the field of play to an area underneath the expanded Budweiser Bleachers. New seats will be added in the old bullpen areas.
The new Wrigley Field will also have dramatically improved concession options for fans. A new, 30,000-square-foot concessions prep and staging area will be built below the plaza to ensure service levels are best in class and provide for the delivery of quality, fresh food.
The seats and most of the concrete from the left-field foul pole to the main gate under the marquee will all be replaced, and the third-base-side concourse will be completed. Plans include new concessions and bathrooms in the area.
Phase Two also calls for enhancements to the upper level in right field, including a new outdoor concourse along the south and west roofline with additional concessions and bathrooms.
"It would be really wonderful if all of the support we put into the infrastructure makes the gameday experience better for the fans," Ketcham said. "They can spend more time in their seats watching the game, enjoying it, with better food delivered more comfortably, and be able to look around and say, 'Yeah, it's still the neighborhood ballpark I remember from 50 years ago.'"
For Phase Three, much of the work will move to the first-base side. This will include a new umpires' room and an improved visitors' clubhouse, in addition to improvements to the first-base-side concourse to create a better fan experience.
"My first time here with a visiting team was 1996, and I remember being shocked at the visiting clubhouse—just how small it was," Epstein said. "I thought it was a joke. I thought someone had walked me into the utility closet and told me it was the visiting clubhouse."
Clark the Cub will get a new home on the first-base side, and there will be a first-base club space for season ticket holders.
Enhancements to the upper level will shift to the left-field side. The new outdoor concourse along the south and west roofline will be completed in this phase as well.
By the conclusion of Phase Three, the goal is to have the majority of work in the main concourse completed.
"As fans come back to the restored Wrigley Field over the next few years, they'll see some changes, but what you won't see is a wholesale difference," Ricketts said. "You're going to feel like this is the ballpark you know and the ballpark you love. But what you will see are shorter lines for everything, you will see more information during the game, you will see a cleaner, more open concourse, you will see easier exits and entrances. It will be a much better fan experience."
The Cubs will also add an upper-deck club for season ticket holders and improve and expand the luxury suites. As an added bonus, suite-holders can now customize their space by choosing from several design options.
Phase Four will finish any remaining work in the main concourse along the first-base line and add a two-story retail and entertainment complex of at least 9,000 square feet in the right-field corner to replace the existing street-level restaurant.
Work will also be completed on the middle portion of the upper level. This will include a renovated press box, new seats, new concessions and new bathrooms.
By Phase Four, the Ricketts family's neighborhood development project should also be completed. Plans call for an open-air plaza outside the ballpark for Cubs fans, visitors and families in the community to enjoy year-round.
The development will incorporate an office building at the north end of the new plaza space to house Cubs offices, a conference meeting space and retail shops.
Finally, the plan features a premium Starwood hotel across the street from the ballpark. This will include 175 rooms, a 40,000-square-foot health club, retail spaces, and food and beverage options for fans and the community.
"This restoration of Wrigley Field is extremely important," Ricketts said. "It is Wrigley-ville.
People move here because they want to live near the ballpark. Businesses open and thrive here because of the ballpark. It's an important part of this community. But it is bigger than that. It is really the beating heart of the North Side of Chicago. It is the place where the people gather. And so we think the renovation of Wrigley and the preservation of this wonderful ballpark means an incredible amount to the city and its people."
Though it will be some time before The 1060 Project is completed, the Cubs organization and the project team have already done years of groundwork to ensure Wrigley Field remains the jewel it has always been. It has been said before—and often—but the closest comparison for a project of this scale is Fenway Park. It's the only baseball facility that can match Wrigley Field in terms of age and historical relevance. Following the work in Boston a few years ago, it would be hard to argue that Fenway Park doesn't still feel like Fenway, despite more modern touches and advertising signs. It's just a better ballpark experience for fans and players.
"I got to experience the transformation of Fenway Park in Boston, really witness how that was a win for everyone," Epstein said. "For the fans, it just improved the experience where it was still the same old traditional, wonderful venue, but just enhanced with modern amenities. It's a more comfortable experience without sacrificing any of the traditions that made it great for generations upon generations."
By the time fans stream into Wrigley Field in 2018, the ballpark will look a bit different.
Among other improvements, the bleachers will be enhanced, there will be video boards and advertising signs in the outfield, the concourses will be cleaner and more accessible, and an open-air plaza will take the place of the old Purple and Red parking lots. But the bricks and ivy will still be there, as will the hand-operated scoreboard and iconic marquee.
Preserving the past while still modernizing the ballpark will take considerable time, effort and resources, but it's also essential to ensure a 100-year-old facility can survive and thrive in the modern era.
"There's really no way to describe the amount of work that has gone into getting just to this point, where we're beginning the process of restoring the ballpark," Ricketts said. "There's a lot of people who have dedicated their lives over the last several years to be ready for this moment, and they'll be dedicating their lives going forward for four more years. But when it's done, it'll all be worth it. For everybody."
—Gary Cohen
From the Pages of Vine Line: Hitting the off switch, how players adjust to the offseason
(Photo by Stephen Green)
As the calendar turned to late September, the crisp fall winds whisked through the Wrigley Field grandstand, signaling the nearing end of another long and winding year for the Chicago Cubs.
After 162 games, countless hotel stays and a punishing travel schedule, major league players are understandably drained after the last out of the season is recorded. It would be more than understandable if most were eager to walk out of the clubhouse doors and forget about baseball for the next few months. But talking to Cubs players about the offseason was revealing—in that not many were genuinely ready for it.
"I've seen players get traded every year, and I've moved around to different organizations," said catcher John Baker, who's played for three teams over his seven big league seasons. "In this game, you become an expert at saying goodbye."
But, Baker added, saying goodbye to his teammates this offseason was still a difficult transition. That's because players on professional sports teams are uniquely bonded, and no sport puts its athletes through the wringer like baseball. In addition to the forge of 162 high-stress games, the men share countless hours of practice time, clubhouse chatter, practical jokes, plane rides, hotel stays, meals, movies and much more—and it's all rigidly scheduled, regular and repetitive.
Athletes often talk about their teammates as brothers, and that's not really much of a stretch. During the baseball season, which spans from February at Spring Training to late September, players likely spend more time with their teammates than with anyone else. So what do they do once the routine and the camaraderie go away?
The men in the Cubs clubhouse said the shift to the offseason always feels sudden, as if a practical joke were being played on everyone, and they'll wake up the next day either in a hotel room or in Chicago with another game on the near horizon.
"It's pretty hard because it feels like you're upsetting your whole rhythm of your life," said infielder Javier Baez. "You're playing baseball every day and then—then you just stop."
It felt even stranger this year because the Cubs closed out the regular season on the road. Many players didn't even bother flying back to Chicago after the final game in Milwaukee. They just caught the next flight home—wherever that was. Clubhouse attendants had already boxed up their personal effects and shipped them off.
"My least favorite part is packing and unpacking," said starting pitcher Jake Arrieta, who makes his home in Austin, Texas. "I feel like we live out of a suitcase all year, never really keeping track of where things are. Getting home and having to rearrange everything is kind of a pain."
There is also a strange feeling of finality when players unpack their things and get settled in for the winter. It hits home that the season really is over, and there is no game to look forward to the next day.
For righty Kyle Hendricks, that feeling of suddenly having a void in his life is the worst part. After a week at home in San Juan Capistrano, California, which lies about halfway up the coast between San Diego and Los Angeles, he begins to get antsy.
"I'm just sitting around doing nothing really," he said. "That's what makes the transition tough. After having your days kind of mapped out for you, you have to find a way to keep yourself busy."
Most players try to take a month or so off before they even start thinking about baseball again. Between working out and taking a vacation or two, it helps to have some hobbies. Left-hander Travis Wood is an outdoorsman. Right-hander Jacob Turner, whom the Cubs acquired in a trade with the Miami Marlins in August, said golf keeps him from going stir-crazy.
"I like to play golf a lot, so I try to get out and play as much as I can in the offseason," he said. "I'm from St. Louis, so we can play until the end of November and occasionally into December if it gets into the 50s."
Though Arrieta feels restless at the beginning of the offseason, he said his boredom usually passes after the first week or so.
"As you settle in, it's nice to finally be able to wind down, sleep in if the kids will let you, get out in the garage, and play with the kids outside," he said. "Then it's not a tough transition at all. It's a much-needed break."
Though it feels like a vacation just being home, Arrieta still gathers up his family and tries to get away somewhere with no cell phones and little contact with the outside world.
"Just kind of hit the refresh button and kick off the offseason in a good way, in the mountains or on a beach somewhere," he said.
Left-handed reliever Wesley Wright, on the other hand, said he embraces the offseason relaxation from the start.
"The first two weeks of the offseason is the best time of your life because you can kick back and relax," he said. "You're active, but nothing is set in stone. If something comes up, you do it. But most guys like to take vacations and do whatever they want to do. You reflect on what the past season was like and decide what you're going to do to be better next year."
Wright, who lives in Montgomery, Alabama, said he doesn't care where he goes or what he does, so long as he's in front of a TV on Saturdays.
"Weekends are dedicated to football for me, especially Saturdays," he said. "I'm a big college football fan. But, generally, for the first month, I like to do nothing at all—just mentally take a break from all the stress of games and different things that go on during the season."
This period is also a time to reconnect with friends and family. Wright and his wife, Sherell, have a 3-year-old and a newborn at home.
"When you go from being a professional player to a full-time dad, it's a different experience," Wright said. "It definitely takes a lot more patience. But you get energy from seeing the look on their faces every time they see you. They're so happy I'm there. It makes a world of difference."
And those idle days spent with family are precious to ballplayers because once the season starts, there is little time for anything but the game.
"It's important for me to just hang out with family, just enjoying my time with them for as long as I can," Hendricks said. "You have to try to not think about baseball. As much as you want to start getting ready for the next season, you have to try to put it off because during the year, it's such a grind. You know you're going to have to focus 24/7."
Baker said he treasures the downtime too, albeit for different reasons. Sometimes the closeness teammates achieve during a season can get a little too close.
"A lot of people don't realize that showering and going into the bathroom and all that other gross stuff is always with someone else," he said. "I know when I go home, I cherish the moments of being in the bathroom by myself. Sometimes my wife gets mad at me because I'm in the shower for 45 minutes at a time, but I tell her this is the only time I get to shower by myself. As soon as I go back to Spring Training, it's prison showers again."
One thing most Cubs players have in common is the habit of creating structured schedules—even though they're not necessary in the offseason. Daily routines are so ingrained for athletes, most players can't help planning out their time.
"You have to learn how to focus that routine-oriented nervous energy into a different kind of routine," agreed Baker, who fills his time back home in Danville, California, by walking his dog and playing with his two kids, Brooklyn and Fiona.
Sometimes, it's not the players setting the routine. Arrieta said that at least early in the offseason, his kids dictate his days.
"My routine starts with getting up when my 3-year-old son starts beating me up," Arrieta said. "The day starts when my kids want it to. Then I'm either cooking breakfast or running down the street to get coffee. From there, it's playtime for the next three to four hours or so until the kids take a nap."
Without any children of his own, first baseman Anthony Rizzo said he keeps his routine pretty simple at the beginning of the winter. And he sleeps in. A lot.
"It's nice because for eight months, it's a grind, and your body eventually breaks down," he said. "After a week or two, I'm in complete shutdown mode. I relax and hang out for about a month, month and a half before I start to work out again."
That's also when the players tend to get a little antsy and start texting and calling their teammates more often. Baker said the reason is pretty simple. Everyone misses hanging out together.
"You spend so much time traveling around with these guys, you consider all of them family," he said. "It doesn't matter where they're from or what language they speak. You are with them every day, 12 hours a day, for seven and a half months straight. You care about them a lot."
They also miss sharing all the inside jokes and general locker room banter they have to keep a lid on all winter.
"There are certain things you do in the clubhouse that you just can't do at home, you know?" said Rizzo, who insisted on leaving it at that.
This is all part of being with a close-knit group of guys for so long. Though players value time with their families more than anything, they do develop a bond and a comfort level with their teammates that's almost as intense.
"I don't think there's really any other job or situation that brings a team of guys as close together as professional baseball does," Turner said. "Obviously, these are not just teammates but your friends, so you enjoy being around them. I definitely miss that."
Once November hits, most of the Cubs hook up with trainers and with other professional ballplayers who live in the same area and throw themselves into a training regimen. Then their days have a more familiar structure to them. Many run in the wee hours of morning, train with weights before and after lunch, and, once the calendar flips to the next year, start doing some light baseball activity in the run-up to Spring Training.
"You're basically working on the specific areas where you want to gain strength, and you're trying to improve on your weaknesses from the last season," Wright said. "I think the most important months for baseball players are December and January. That's when guys get their bodies ready for the grind of a full season."
By then, the vacation is essentially over. Unlike the beginning of the offseason, the end is a gradual process. Players may still be home in January, but their minds are already on the year ahead.
By the time the Cubs start filtering into the team's Mesa, Arizona, training facility as early as the end of January, the offseason feels like a distant memory.
Make no mistake, all players need and cherish the break. But after that, they're more than ready to return to what they love most—being back with their teammates and playing ball.
From the Pages of Vine Line: Strength in Numbers
Javier Baez got his first taste of major league action this summer. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
When Theo Epstein sat in front of the assembled media last October and announced, "The story [around the league] is that the Cubs are coming fast, and the Cubs are coming strong," many had trouble stifling laughter. How could Epstein suggest a team fresh off its third-consecutive 90-loss season was on the rise—especially during a press conference announcing the firing of the club's manager, Dale Sveum?
It seemed preposterous at the time, but Epstein was hardly joking. He knew what he and his staff had built over the previous two seasons, and he believed it wouldn't be long before that lofty statement was accepted as fact—even by those not paying close attention to what's been happening in the Cubs system.
Sure enough, while the 2014 season didn't produce a dramatic increase in wins, the media and fans finally got a chance to see what the Cubs have been building, as the first wave of prospects finally funneled into Wrigley Field.
It all began with Arismendy Alcantara and Kyle Hendricks, two somewhat under-the-radar prospects, but intriguing players nonetheless. Next, one of the best power hitters in the minors, Javier Baez, arrived in the big leagues—along with the corresponding media maelstrom. Finally, the Cubs called up Cuban slugger Jorge Soler toward the end of August.
Not every one of these young players immediately took the National League by storm. There have been ups and downs. But each has provided a spark and shown the potential to be a big contributor to the next Cubs playoff run—which is exactly how the front office drew it up.
"It's a lot of fun, and there's definitely a lot of energy," Hendricks said. "I'm just glad a lot of us have been able to perform well. I think that's a testament to the coaching we have in the minor leagues. The guys got us ready for this level."
Epstein understands that this process, which has included many losses, has been tough for both the players and the fans. That's why finally being able to display the fruits of the front office's labor has been so rewarding.
"These are players who have been part of our plan, part of our vision, for a while now," Epstein said. "Now that they're up here, people can get excited about it. It creates a little bit of momentum, which is nice to have around the organization."
So what exactly is the Cubs' vision, and what has the organization been doing to realize it?
When Epstein was first introduced as president of baseball operations in late October 2011, he laid out his plan for how he wanted to rebuild an organization that had gone from being the toast of the National League to 91 losses in just three years.
"Our goal will be to build the best scouting department in the game—one that makes an annual impact in the draft and internationally," Epstein said at the time. "As far as player development goes, we will define and implement a Cubs Way of playing the game, and we won't rest until there is a steady stream of talent coming through the minor league system trained in that Cubs Way making an impact out here at Wrigley Field."
Epstein didn't waste much time in following through with those promises. A week after his introduction, he sat in front of the media yet again, this time introducing Jed Hoyer as his new executive vice president and general manager and Jason McLeod, a man Epstein referred to as the "rarest commodity in the industry—an impact evaluator of baseball talent," as his senior vice president of scouting and player development.
The three men spent the next year evaluating what they were working with from the bottom of the organization all the way to the top. After a year, they made a few tweaks to the scouting department, and completely revamped the player development side. Brandon Hyde was brought in as the farm director, but has since moved on to become manager Rick Renteria's bench coach, while Jaron Madison has transitioned from amateur scouting director to Hyde's old position.
Under Hyde, the Cubs hired four new minor league coordinators and had one of their better developmental seasons throughout the system in 2013.
Of course, it certainly helped that so much talent had been added to the mix—and continues to be added to this day—through astute trades, the amateur draft and international signings.
"In order to have success in this game, the foundation has to be through scouting and player development," Hoyer said when he was introduced as general manager. "There's no shortcut. There's no magic bullet. All three of us believe in the philosophy wholeheartedly."
Hoyer acknowledged the ultimate goal is to win a championship, so the baseball operations department first had to build a team that went into Spring Training every season with a realistic shot at making the playoffs. Less than three years later, it appears the Cubs are on the verge of achieving that goal.
And it's not just the players who have reached the majors this year that have so many people both inside and outside the game optimistic about the Cubs' immediate future. While the influx of top-notch talent is undeniable, it's quite likely the best is yet to come.
Last year's top draft pick, Kris Bryant, dominated every level of the minor leagues, making it all the way to Triple-A Iowa in his first full professional season. His otherworldly stat line of .325/.438/.661 (AVG/OBP/SLG) with 43 home runs and 110 RBI has pushed the third baseman to the top of the national prospect rankings. Shortly after the season, he was named both USA Today's and Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year. Addison Russell, a consensus top 10 prospect in the game, was acquired in early July via trade and has continued to excel, hitting for both power and average while playing strong defense at shortstop.
Kyle Schwarber was the fourth pick in June's amateur draft and has already shot up two levels in the Cubs system. So far, he has displayed an impressive combination of power and patience at the plate and appears to be on the fast track to the majors.
And that's not all. The regime's first draft pick from 2012, Albert Almora, made it to Double-A at the tender age of 20, and the international scouts flexed their muscles in 2013, as the Cubs spent more money than any other organization. Thanks to those efforts, they added big-time prospects like Jen-Ho Tseng, Eloy Jimenez, Gleybar Torres and Jefferson Mejia, all of whom are proving advanced for their age and are ranked as top 20 organizational prospects by MLB.com.
The system is not only loaded with talent, it's also deep, ensuring that as the Cubs continue to graduate players to the big leagues, the cupboard won't suddenly be left bare. It looks like Epstein and Hoyer have built the scouting and player development "machine" they promised to work toward when they were first brought into the organization.
Of course, since the majority of the Cubs' young players grabbing headlines are bats, there are still questions about where the organization is going to find the right combination of arms to lead the charge. But even on that front, the team is better off than most people realize.
The front office has now divested the organization of the many onerous contracts from the Hendry regime—meaning there is money to spend—and has proven quite adept at identifying and acquiring undervalued pitching talent. Names like Paul Maholm, Scott Feldman and Jason Hammel, who all excelled under the tutelage of pitching coach Chris Bosio, have been used to acquire players who fit into both the short- and long-term plans.
Feldman, in particular, netted a huge piece in pitcher Jake Arrieta. A former top prospect, the 28-year-old underwhelmed during parts of four years in the majors with the Baltimore Orioles. Though Arrieta was perhaps at his lowest value at the time, the Cubs were bullish about the struggling righty. After missing the first month of the 2014 season with shoulder soreness, Arrieta went on to make the move look like a stroke of genius, putting together a season that rivals those of some of the best pitchers in the game.
Hendricks, acquired from the Rangers in the 2012 Ryan Dempster deal, also opened eyes with a strong run of starts to begin his major league career. Though many had the 24-year-old pegged as a fringe major leaguer and back-end starter at best, his poise and control are making some wonder whether he can exceed expectations and become a big part of the rotation's future.
"He's doing exactly what he did in the minor leagues," Epstein said. "He's as polished and prepared as you'll see with any rookie. We speculated that he might even take it to another level when he got to the big leagues because he uses all the tools available to him as well as anybody.
"We have video in the minor leagues, but we don't have this much video. We have scouting reports in the minor leagues, but we don't have scouting reports this extensive. He just attacks the video and attacks scouting reports. They're a huge weapon for him. You see the confidence he has. No matter how good a hitter he's facing, he's likely to have identified one area he can attack and put [himself] in a good position to have a chance to get him out. I think that's been big for him. We're awfully proud of how he's adjusted."
Epstein has acknowledged that while he doesn't think the Cubs' position player group is a finished product, he certainly feels great about the nucleus the organization has built. Even with Arrieta, Hendricks and the surprisingly impressive Tsuyoshi Wada (who will be 34 next season, but could still find himself competing for a spot in the Cubs rotation), the obvious focus becomes how to build up the front five.
"I like some of the pitchers we have coming along in the minor leagues, and I think our big league staff has done sort of an underrated job this year," Epstein said. "There are some bright spots. But we've been open about the fact that it would be nice to add an impact pitcher or two. When you look over the next 18 months or so, that's certainly a priority for us. Whether we develop one from an unlikely spot like might be happening with Arrieta or acquire someone who's already at those heights remains to be seen."
Surprise success stories like Arrieta and Hendricks, coupled with bounce-back years from Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro, have certainly boosted the optimism around the team as the prospects are rising to the big leagues.
"It's good for the fans," Hendricks said. "They've needed some winning the last few years, and unfortunately we haven't been able to give it to them. I think with a lot of us young guys coming up—a lot of young hitters especially—they're doing an unbelievable job. And there's more to come."
While the narrative may have recently changed as far as the media and average fans are concerned, nobody within the Cubs organization considers the work done.
"Our fans deserve to get excited. I'm happy for them," Epstein said. "Ultimately, the only thing that matters is winning. That's what's on our mind, and we're working hard to get there. Having young players that are worth following and at-bats you can't miss, we're human and that makes us feel good that our fans have something like that in their lives at this point, because certainly there's been some tough times that they've had to endure."
Epstein and company know they've still got work to do. They're aware that pitching is a need, as is a veteran presence in the clubhouse to lead by example. But they strongly believe they're on the right path and have felt that way for some time now. Still, the ultimate goal has yet to be accomplished.
"We've felt really good about it for a period now, and we also feel like there's so much more work to do that we don't deserve any kudos or pats on the back," Epstein said. "On the other hand, we're all human, and we feel the optimism of our fans and our players. It only makes us want to work harder and finish it off. We'll feel like it's finished when we win the last game in October."
—Sahadev Sharma, Baseball Prospectus
From the Pages of Vine Line: Top pick Schwarber impressed in his rookie campaign
(Photo by Aldrin Capulong)
The first thing you notice about Cubs 2014 No. 1 draft pick Kyle Schwarber is that no one will say a bad word about him. And it takes all of about 30 seconds to understand why.
On a rainy July day, Schwarber's Kane County team had just lost a 3-2 affair in gut-wrenching fashion, after Tyler Marincov smashed a two-out, two-run, ninth-inning homer to give visiting Beloit the victory. It was a frustrating day all around, and the fourth-overall selection in this year's draft had probably the worst showing of his nascent professional career, logging an 0-for-4 that included an ugly three-pitch strikeout.
As members of the media entered a quiet clubhouse filled with players licking their wounds, Schwarber stood with a plate of food in his hands. After a few seconds, the newest of the Cubs' elite prospects realized the media scrum was there for him. He politely put down his tray, walked over to the gathering and ushered them into a small storage room outside the clubhouse so as not to disturb his teammates—most of whom he'd known for less than three weeks.
Even though he'd been a pro for only a short time, the Indiana University product was surprisingly poised, professional and conscientious. He has always been comfortable in his own skin, and he just wanted to make sure everyone else was comfortable too.
"It happens—0-fors can happen," Schwarber said, shrugging his large shoulders. "I've got to realize that. You can't be too negative on yourself because that can happen sometimes. … It's a long season. You've just got to keep grinding each and every at-bat."
The next thing you notice about Schwarber is how polished he looks at the plate. The Cubs rated the 21-year-old left-handed slugger as the best hitter in the 2014 draft, and he's more than justified their confidence in him since he made his professional debut with Short-Season A Boise on June 13. In the Northwest League, Schwarber hit .600 with four home runs and 10 RBI in just five games. After that scorching start, he was quickly promoted to Low-A Kane County, where he played another 23 games, compiling a .361/.448/.602 (AVG/OBP/SLG) line with four homers and 15 RBI. In mid-July, he was bumped up to High-A Daytona, where he finished the season hitting .302/.393/.560 with 10 homers.
But when people are asked about Schwarber, the thing they generally rave about is not his powerful bat—it's his selfless team-first attitude and the presence he brings to the clubhouse.
"We're really happy with the quick adjustment he's made to pro ball," said Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein. "The on-field stuff takes care of itself with how he's handled things mentally. He's been through a lot this past month, and he's been consistent, steady, and he's off to a great start."
For former Indiana University coach Tracy Smith, it was virtually love at first sight. After hearing of a hulking catcher from Middletown, Ohio, who was posting huge numbers and consistently making hard contact, Smith figured he'd check it out. Though Schwarber was also recruited on the gridiron as an All-State middle linebacker, his first love was always baseball.
"I went to see a game, and he was facing a high school guy that ended up being drafted that year, a left-handed pitcher," said Smith, who recently accepted the head-coaching job at Arizona State University. "The game I saw him, Schwarber took him out to left field, center field, right field. So that [scholarship] offer came on his way home."
Indiana is generally known as a basketball school, but the baseball program has transformed into a national power in the past three seasons, largely behind the play of Schwarber.
From 2012-14, the catcher and outfielder hit .341/.437/.607 with 238 hits, 40 homers and 41 doubles, all while drawing 116 walks and striking out just 91 times in 180 games. He was named to multiple All-America teams, and Perfect Game, an amateur scouting company that hosts top-level national baseball showcases, named him the best college catcher in the country in 2013 after he bashed a school-record 18 home runs. That same season, Schwarber and his teammates reached baseball's elite eight, advancing Indiana to the College World Series for the first time in program history.
All the while, the Cubs were watching.
At first, all eyes weren't necessarily on Schwarber. The 2012 Indiana roster included eight players who eventually got drafted by major league clubs. But for Cubs scout Stan Zielinski, just knowing that the big catcher was batting second piqued his interest.
"Freshmen aren't supposed to hit at the top of the order of a [Division 1] program. If they're trusting a guy to top an order as a freshman, then they must think he's pretty good," Zielinski said. "Then he's squaring up balls, hitting line drives, just playing with a lot of tenacity and just loving the game."
The longtime scout came away impressed and decided to schedule some time in Bloomington during the ensuing seasons. While there may not have been a signature on-field moment that sold Zielinski on the collegiate star, he said it was a "series of blows" that made him a believer.
After identifying a potential draft pick, the next step the Cubs take is to try to gain a better understanding of that person off the field. Scouts and front office personnel talk to the player, coaches, family and any other influential voices. As Zielinski did his research, it became clear Schwarber's mental toughness was just as potent a tool as his powerful bat.
When it came time for Zielinski to deliver his report, the scout sold the slugger hard to the Cubs front office—and the decision makers listened. Even though most teams had Schwarber as a mid-first-round talent, the Cubs felt strongly enough about him to take him fourth overall.
"He's just a genuine All-American kid," Zielinski said. "To know him is to like him. You can't walk away without liking the kid. He's just a fun-loving kid. If the team is too tight, he tries to loosen them up. If the team is too loose, he tells the guys to get their focus back."
During Zielinski's time on campus, he and the IU coaching staff had numerous conversations, many of them about Schwarber's personality.
"Everybody talks about what a great player he is and all that, but he really is … a better person," Smith said. "I've always thought you don't have a good ballclub unless your best players are the hardest workers, and that's something Kyle brought to the field every day. He'll outwork everybody."
If there's one knock on Schwarber, whether it's justified or not, it's about his ability to stick behind the plate. The Cubs front office admitted they selected the slugger primarily for his advanced bat. Catchers often require more time in the minor leagues to refine their skills, but team representatives said they didn't want Schwarber's defensive development to slow down his offensive process. In other words, if his bat is big league-ready, they might not hold him back waiting for his receiving skills to catch up.
"I love catching, but if they want me to do something else, I'll do something else," Schwarber said.
The one thing that is repeated by everyone you talk to about Schwarber—from Cubs front office personnel to college coaches to scouts—is that he is, first and foremost, a team-oriented guy. As such, he's willing to pass on catching in the long run and make the full-time switch to a corner outfield spot. But that doesn't mean he's ready to hang up his catcher's mitt just yet.
"I want to be able to help the team down the road, when it comes, if that opportunity does come," Schwarber said. "I feel like if I can get better defensively, [catching] could be in the best interest of the team."
The argument, for what it's worth, is that he's relatively new to calling his own games, and his release on throws is a little long. Those who have seen him play on a more consistent basis, however, say much of that criticism is unwarranted. While he might not ever be a top-tier glove man behind the plate, people who know his work ethic believe he could backstop at the major league level.
"As far as pro ball, there are some things he needs to learn, and he's so open to it," said Kane County manager Mark Johnson, who spent parts of eight major league seasons as a catcher. "He wants to learn, he wants to get better, and he busts his butt every day. That's all you can really ask for."
From a scouting standpoint, the pieces are there too. It's evident Schwarber has spent the majority of his life being the field captain. He just needs to hone his game to make it major league-ready.
"Everybody knocks his defense … but everyone is a little afraid to make their own opinion on it," Zielinski said. "I actually think he can catch. I think the ingredients are all there to make the cake. He needs some refinements and coaching."
Schwarber spent most of his time in Daytona manning the outfield and logging a few games each week behind the plate. It remains to be seen where he'll end up defensively, but it will certainly be a topic of discussion this offseason, when it looks like some questions might get answered.
"We're going to sit down at the end of the minor league season and see whether it's an appropriate time to make a call," Epstein said. "That's a good time of the year, because you can decide then that if catching is something we really want to pursue, we can get him a lot of work daily in the instructional league—a lot of focused attention on his defensive fundamentals."
Schwarber admitted the first few months of his professional career have been a whirlwind. Wrapping up a college career, getting drafted, signing a multimillion-dollar contract and jumping through three professional levels would be a lot for anybody to handle. But Schwarber said he appreciates how supportive everyone in the organization has been since he signed, which has helped make the transition from amateur to pro ball as seamless as possible.
"I thought it was going to be a lot different being the new guy, especially being the guy that got picked first by them," Schwarber said. "It's a different story for everyone. But these guys … they brought me in. It's like I haven't missed a beat with these guys."
Based on the stories, getting along with Kyle Schwarber hardly sounds like a difficult task. His natural personality, combined with the effort he gives on the field every day, makes it easy for coaches and peers to call him a good teammate.
The comfort level is already there, and everyone around him can feel it.
—Phil Barnes


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Kicking off the week with a leisurely dinner date, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis showed up at the Black Market Liquor Bar in Studio City last night (March 3).
The newly-engaged "That 70s Show" costars were both dressed in casual attire as they made their way to the local eatery, attracting plenty of attention from fans and paparazzi.
Spending a little time together after revealing their big news, newly engaged Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher went for a walk with their dogs in LA today (March 1).
Keeping their faces well-hidden from the cameras, the celebrity sweethearts stuck close to one another, Ashton sporting a baseball cap and gray sweater, while Mila walked along in a black hoodie and cute black yoga pants.
Bringing some post-Valentine's Day romance to the celebrity circle, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher are engaged!
Sporting a massive diamond ring on THAT finger while out with her mom on Thursday (February 27), sources told E! News that the rumors are official: she and her former "That 70's Show" co-star are tying the knot.
She's known for her roles on both the big and small screen and now Mila Kunis is about to make a splash in a new series of commercials.
Bringing her fierce feminine flavor to the brand, the "Black Swan" star promotes Jim Beam's bourbon.
Making history with one of America's greatest distillers, Mila Kunis has officially been named the first-ever global partner and spokesperson for Jim Bean Bourbon!
Posing with a plethora of whiskeys on all sides of her, the "Black Swan" beauty attended the "Make History" cocktail reception in New York City on Tuesday (February 19), wearing a cute plaid jacket, whilst smiling serenely with a glass of bourbon in her hand.
Stepping off a plane from New York City, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher navigated their way through LAX International Airport on Wednesday evening (February 19).
The "Oz: The Great and Powerful" gal looked cute and casual in a denim jacket with a white t-shirt, skinny black jeans and nude flats as she scurried through the terminal with her "Butterfly Effect" beau.
Taking time away from her busy schedule, Mila Kunis stopped by her mother's house for a visit in Los Angeles on Tuesday (February 4).
The "Jupiter Ascending" beauty donned a blue peacoat, gray top with black boots and leggings as she made a quick dash past the shutterbugs waiting on the street.
While it's common practice to spend hours on hair and makeup for a photo shoot, Mila Kunis wanted to be as natural as possible for her new Gemfields campaign.
The "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" actress is featured in the new Peter Lindbergh-shot spread for "Emerald" and her bare beauty is undeniable.

subset: commoncrawl


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Franchise Index: Previous Season / Next Season
7-9-0, NFC West Division · 1983 NFL Season Summary
SRS: Total 0.9, Offense: 2.9, Defense: -2.1, SoS: 2.0, avg is 0.0.
Scored 370 points (23.1/g), 10th of 28 in the NFL. Allowed 389 points (24.3/g), 23rd.
Differential of -19 points (-1.2/g), 18th. Expected W-L: 7.5-8.5.
Dan Henning (7-9-0)
Offensive Coordinator: Bob Fry
Defensive Coordinator: John Marshall
Stadium: Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
Training Camp: Atlanta Falcons Training Facility (Suwanee, Georgia)
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iHerb Customer Reviews
Savings of: $12.33 (36% off)
Krill oil
Posted by karishma on Apr 02, 2011
Very nice
Was this review helpful to you?
1 person found the following review helpful
From Turkey
Posted by Reviewer1453243 on Mar 30, 2011
This is perfect for my joints pain. İt is really effective more then fish oil. But most important rule is using regularly this product.
Better then fish oil!
Posted by Reviewer1204470 on Mar 29, 2011
Krill is absorbed by the body better then fish oil, and it does not go rancid in the body like fish oil. Good value.
Posted by Reviewer1156555 on Mar 21, 2011
Great product
Now Foods neptune Krill OIl
Posted by Reviewer1193570 on Mar 15, 2011
Fantastic product! No aftertaste, and easily digestable.
good results
Posted by Reviewer2449644 on Mar 10, 2011
I have been using this Krill oil for 3 years and it has improved my ability to control the stiffness in my joints which allows me to do daily the things I want to do,(golf exersise,work,etc) JP MD
Was this review helpful to you?
2 people found the following review helpful
Thumbs up
Posted by Reviewer1301890 on Mar 01, 2011
All of the fish oil benefits without the fishy taste.
smaller than fish oil
Posted by Reviewer2548332 on Feb 09, 2011
These are a smaller gel than fish oil. I've read they're very good for you. Don't know how much they help. I need to take them consistently which I haven't done yet.
Krill Oil
Posted by Reviewer2395795 on Jan 30, 2011
The best Krill Oil - great value and great product.
Posted by Reviewer3260527 on Jan 25, 2011
We love this krill oil. It helps to lower our cholesterol.


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by Joe Romm Apr 22, 2016
Earth Day is probably a good day to not buy anything and instead step back from hypermaterialism.
by Joe Romm Apr 26, 2015
At the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday night in DC, President Obama used devastating humor to express rare passion and anger over climate science denial. The video is must-see.
by Joe Romm Apr 21, 2015
Affection for our planet is misdirected and unrequited. We need to focus on saving ourselves.
by Jessica Goldstein Feb 20, 2015
by Jessica Goldstein Feb 11, 2015
"Eddie was the biggest star," said Chris Rock. "Anybody was says different is making a racist argument."
by Jessica Goldstein Dec 8, 2014
Leo reportedly left a club in Miami with 20 models. Time for a little thought experiment.
by Jessica Goldstein Sep 24, 2014
It's called "You Have To F*cking Eat."
by Jessica Goldstein Aug 8, 2014
Talking to comedian Janelle James about her catcalling comedy video gone viral.
by Joe Romm Jul 24, 2014
This week in climate science denial mockery.
by Jessica Goldstein Jun 18, 2014
She's only twelve, but she's a hard twelve. Talking to author Alena Smith about Tween Hobo, Twitter star turned road-weary novel protagonist.


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Important! Freebase is read-only and will be shut-down. More.
Winger en
Winger, in the game of ice hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink. Nowadays, there are different types of wingers in the game — out-and-out goal scorers, checkers who disrupt the opponents, and forwards who work along the boards and in the corners. They tend to be bigger than centreman and smaller than defenceman. This position is commonly referred to by the side of the rink that the winger normally takes, i.e. "left wing" or "right wing." [ - ]


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- Alcoa's earnings season kick-off is not just a Wall Street tradition by a dusty old manufacturing giant. The aluminum maker is going high tech, and the earnings report still matters. Why and how Alcoa is still a guidepost
- Emerging-markets equities hit a four-month high as the dollar weakens. This is the opposite of staying calm. Commodities advance in predictable fashion
- The market feels panicky because it is. The VIX is spiking and the average stock is down 9% from the recent peak. Spreading beyond tech stocks
- A little board turnover can help company performance, while keeping board members on their toes. Booting one board member per year
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Apr 8, 2014 @ 7:41 am
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1-2 paragraphs
Top Answer
Recently Asked Questions
- Please see attachment for 4 questions (a-d) related to the below problem: A partnership began its first year of operations with the following capital balances:
- FINANCE ASSIGNMENT. Read the instructions carefully before committing to answer my assignment.
- Question: Taylor Furniture produces and sells three kinds of speciality mattresses; Nealy, Tersa and Pelta. Production is a machine-intensive process. Taylor's


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Brian Atwood Debuts First Global Campaigns
NEW YORK, Aug. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Brian Atwood, a division of The Jones Group (NYSE: JNY), debuted its first global campaigns today, a print campaign and companion fashion film that tell the story of the modern woman's desire for fantasy and control. The campaign was inspired by the allure of sexual submission, fearless beauty, and cinemagraphic voyeurism laced with sensual tension. To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/57523-brian-atwood-debuts-global-campaigns-modern-seduction(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120822/MM53013) The print campaign and film were shot together in London by visionaries Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, with creative direction by Giovanni Bianco, and feature supermodel Candice Swanepoel, with styling by Elizabeth Sulcer. Brian Atwood, Creative Director and Designer of Brian Atwood, said: "I've always been about the glamour and sexy part of dressing a woman. I'm inspired by the work of the world's most seductive photographers, from Helmut Newton to Guy Bourdin, which is reflected in my new campaign. Bringing this vision to life, through the hands of the most evocative and daring creative talent, helps me take the brand into its next chapter. The team so perfectly captured the essence of seduction, mystery, drama, and the lust of glamour." Giovanni Bianco said: "Brian's work is fresh and bold, with a sophisticated sex appeal. While creating this campaign, I was constantly guided by the idea of a woman exactly like that – strong, confident – both sexy and elegant. I feel the enigmatic and sultry imagery of the campaign is the visual translation of this powerful woman." The fashion film, the first from The Sex Is In The Heel series, is a voyeuristic flashback by a mysterious seductress reliving the previous night's fantasy. The fashion film debuted exclusively on New York Magazine's The Cut [blog] and will be part of the brand section on the newly re-designed BrianAtwood.com, launching in early September. The print campaign debuted in the September issues of global fashion magazines, including Vogue, Vogue Paris, W, Interview, CR, T magazine and Love.
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- ParaguayFoodFunding via Fundación Paraguaya
Virgen De L...ParaguayFoodFunding via Fundación Paraguaya
La Esperanz...ParaguayFoodFunding via Fundación Paraguaya
San Cayetano Group
Sra. Luisa, the group president, makes different types of breads and pastries and sells them in the neighborhood. Her wish is to make progress with Fundación Paraguaya and her group so that her committee gets stronger each day. She invests most of her effort into seeing that her committee emerges as a successful group. Therefore, she plans to execute her ideas and follow through with her work plan.
The loan she is requesting will be used to buy flour, sugar, sweetened milk, coconut, and other supplies that she needs to continue making pastries.
La Sra. Luisa, es Presidenta del grupo, ella elabora panecillos y diversas clases de masas dulces y vende por el barrio. Su deseo es progresar con la Fundación y su grupo y que su comité se vaya fortaleciendo cada día más. Ella pondrá el mayor de su esfuerzo para que su comité surja y salga adelante, así podrá ejecutar su idea y plan de trabajo.
Solicita de este crédito para la compra de harina, azúcar, dulce de leche, coco y demás insumos para poder seguir haciendo las masas dulces que ella hace.
Additional Information
About Fundación ParaguayaFundación Paraguaya is a financially self-sustaining social enterprise that promotes entrepreneurship in urban and rural areas through microfinance, education programs, and more. Its focus on agriculture has helped many farmers boost their crop yields. And a number of other borrowers have taken out loans to start and grow social businesses that have helped deliver eyeglasses, medicines and other helpful services in their local communities.
This is a Group Loan
In a group loan, each member of the group receives an individual loan but is part of a larger group of individuals. The group is there to provide support to the members and to provide a system of peer pressure, but groups may or may not be formally bound by a group guarantee. In cases where there is a group guarantee, members of the group are responsible for paying back the loans of their fellow group members in the case of delinquency or default.
Kiva's Field Partners typically feature one borrower from a group. The loan description, sector, and other attributes for a group loan profile are determined by the featured borrower's loan. The other members of the group are not required to use their loans for the same purpose.
About Paraguay
39View loans »
Success!! The loan was 100% repaid
- Repayment Term
- 9 months (Additional Information)
- Repayment Schedule
- Monthly
- Pre-Disbursed:
- Oct 19, 2012
- Listed
- Nov 17, 2012
- Currency Exchange Loss:
- Covered
- Ended:
- Jun 17, 2013


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cheap tank with stand
hey just so in the paper 55gallon tank with hood gravel oak stand for a $150 do you guys thinks this is a good deal?
With everything included! I'de say so! for only 150 $ I would be on that like a pig in the mud.
prob is i dont work so the is kind of hard to get :wink:
Ask your parents to buy it and you can make payments.....*with sugar on top mommy* lol
just make sure that it doesnt leak first...if possible, ask to see it set up. or for a trial run or something...
ok im gonna try for it and it if its older i will ask it 100
I have a really good tank building site, tells you how to build it and works out the wood you need, I used it for mine and is VERY strong.
Please post the adress, i'm fairly keen on the DIY
(Message deleted by poster)
he getting rid of because he just got a 72 gallon but ill go and look at it
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Properties in Hereford, Herefordshire And Worcestershire
Property for sale
Refine by
Similar properties in
- Abergavenny (18)
- Brecon (114)
- Builth Wells (11)
- Kington (42)
- Ledbury (183)
- Leominster (317)
- Monmouth (37)
- Ross-on-wye (274)
- Bromyard (114)
Hereford, Herefordshire And Worcestershire
1005 results
5 Bedrooms
Peterchurch, Hereford
Marketed by Sunderlands & Thompsons - Hereford
Substantial detached country residence in well served village Set in 2.5 acres (approx) including lake Four principle ...
6 Bedrooms
Holme Lacy, Hereford, Herefordshire Hr2 6lx
Marketed by Country & Classic
A Striking Grade II Listed Six Bedroom Property with Two Substantial Cottages set in over 2 Acres ...
5 Bedrooms
Ruckhall Lane, Eaton Bishop, Hereford HR2
Marketed by Russell Baldwin & Bright - Hereford
Here is a guide to standard costs (including VAT) payable to us as your landlord's agent. Some ...
5 Bedrooms
Guide Price £700,000
Dorefield House, Peterchurch, Herefordshire, HR2
Marketed by Hunters - Hereford
In a stunning lakeside location, an extremely spacious and luxuriously appointed six bedroomed residence set in approximately ...
4 Bedrooms
£700,000 Sold STC
Dilwyn, Herefordshire
Marketed by McCartneys Estate Agents - Ludlow
Designed and built by the current owner and completed in 2002 Badgers Set is an impressive oak ...
4 Bedrooms
£725,000 Sold STC
Wormelow, Hereford, Wormelow, HR2 8EQ
Marketed by Hunters - Hereford
The West wing, comprising in part the former Ballroom and Orangerie of a beautifully refurbished Gothic Mansion, ...
5 Bedrooms
£735,000 Sold STC
Whitestone, Hereford
Marketed by Sunderlands & Thompsons - Hereford
The property is conveniently located just off the A4103 Hereford to Worcester Road with a private gated ...
3 Bedrooms
Ffynnon Gynydd, Glasbury-On-Wye, Powys
Marketed by McCartneys - Hay-On-Wye
A most attractive 38 acre small farm in a stunning location, enjoying panoramic views over some of ...
5 Bedrooms
Offers in excess of £750,000
Woonton, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR3
Marketed by Knight Frank - Hereford
Crispin is a classic pre-war house built in 1935 in the late Arts and Crafts style. ...
4 Bedrooms
Guide Price £750,000 Sold STC
Hereford, Herefordshire
Marketed by Fox Grant - Salisbury
Secluded Rural Smallholding With Charming Period Cottage Enjoying Excellent Equestrian Facilities & Stunning Rural Views. 9 Acres ...
5 Bedrooms
Clehonger, Hereford
Marketed by McCartneys - Hay-On-Wye
An immaculate five bedroomed detached Victorian residence with a separate, recently renovated two bedroomed Coach House providing ...
5 Bedrooms
Dormington, Hereford
Marketed by Sunderlands & Thompsons - Hereford
A fine Grade 2 listed country home, former Georgian Vicarage rebuilt in 1764, which has featured on ...


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Since transfer we have been working hard to deliver our promises to you and invest in your homes.
Since the launch of City West we have delivered improvement works to homes across Salford.
After work has been completed in your home you will be provided with handover information about any new equipment. An after-care visit will ensure there are no problems and we'll ask you to complete a satisfaction survey.
Visit our case studies for examples of the work we have completed so far and what a difference this Investment Programme is making to our customers.
To find out what is planned in your home, use our investment postcode search.


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£725 pcm
2 bedroom detached house to rent Dam Lane, Saxton, Tadcaster, LS24 9QFTWO BEDROOM COTTAGE WITH GOOD ACCESS TO A64 FOR LEEDS AND YORK. FULL OF CHARACTER. UNFURNISHED, AVAILABLE END OF MARCH, EPC RATING D More details ›
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Twitch Releases Pokemon by femjesseWatch
©2014-2016 femjesse
Why hast the fossil forsaken them? Please impart on us your wisdom, oh great fossil.
In loving memory of ABBBBBBK ( and JLVWNNOOOO.
In loving memory of ABBBBBBK ( and JLVWNNOOOO.
And so, even more Pokemon were released.
Abby and Jay Leno paved the way. The release of Abby, our main carry at the time, was the first sign that this wasn't going to be a smooth ride.
Can I ask why they were released?
like 15 days ago maybe
soo sad pic i love it
when all is said and done I want to do a Hall of Fame spread and maybe the abandoned ones all together, happily ever after you know
Are the tossed nuggets and moonstone in Leno's bag? xD
And CCC... poor CCC, lived for less than half an hour...
These guys were OG though and they were also released at the same time. I like to think they're still together out there trying to make it in this Pokemon World.
As a disciple of Lord Helix, I fully believe that no harm will come to Jay or Abby, and I pray for them such.
We are not to question the will of Helix, we must trust it's wisdom!
Praise be to Helix!


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Fully self contained refurbished unit with 2 bedrooms. Bar fridge. Main bedroom contains a queen bed, second bedroom contains 1 set of bunks and 1 single bed. Sleeps a maximum of 5 people, Separate bathroom/toilet. Laundry. 32'' LCD TV with dvd player in family living area. Solar heated in ground pool , children's playground and outdoor BBQ available to all guests. **Please Note** The Unit is not suitable for schoolies as many families and couples stay at the complex as it has a quiet relaxing atmosphere and the facilities incorporate a playground for children. Accordingly we are unable to accommodate schoolies. NO pets. BYO all linen (top&bottom sheets, pillowcases, towels, teatowels)
5 minute walk to private beach and 8 minute walk to main shops. Short drive to see all the attractions of Phillip Island such as penguins, seals, grand prix and more.
10 units in total that are all individually (privately) owned. Guests staying in units only have access to facilities within the complex.
1 car park available in front of unit inside the complex. Extra cars must park on grass area outside the complex.
Swimming Pool, Washing Machine, Parking
- Entertainment
- DVD player, In-house Movies/Videos
- Family
- Playground
- Cooking
- Barbeque, Cooking Facilities, Microwave
- Linen
- Ironing Facilities
- Activities
- Swimming Pool, Tennis Courts
- Comfort
- Heaters
- Laundry
- Washing Machine
- Other
- Non-Smoking, Parking
- Custom
- Television, Tea/Coffee Making Facilities, Walk to the shops, Pets not allowed, Fans (ceiling/standard), Hair dryer, Undercover or off street parking, Courtyard


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Employer: Ryt-way Industries
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Despite the fact that women make up nearly half of the workforce, they still are severely underrepresented in leadership roles. In fact, women make up...
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If you didn't know anything about the history of our country, you might think it was pretty strange to see that so many of us are actually quite moved...
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In the crossfire: adventures of a Vietnamese revolutionary - Ngo Van Xuyet
Students for a Stalinist Society - James W. Cain
The historical significance of the POUM - Wilebaldo Solano
In this text based on a presentation delivered in 1985 at a conference on the POUM held in Madrid, the former leader of the Iberian Communist Youth, and the last general secretary of the POUM, reviews the history of the POUM and discusses the background of its leading militants in the CNT and Spanish communism, its leading role in the founding of the Workers Alliance and the October 1934 insurrection in Asturias, it founding in 1935, the Popular Front and the February 1936 elections, its fight against Stalinist repression and its persecution under the Negrín government during the civil war, and the fates of the party's militants underground and in exile.
State capitalism in Russia - Murray Bookchin
Lessons of the counterrevolutions - Amadeo Bordiga
A 1953 text in which Amadeo Bordiga examines the lessons of counterrevolutions from the defeat of Spartacus to the Battle of Legnano in 1176 and from the Peasant War in Germany of 1525 to Stalinism ("State capitalism is not a semi-socialism, but just plain capitalism") and recapitulates some "fundamental positions of Marxism", which he describes as a "doctrine for the understanding of ... counterrevolutions", since "everyone knows how to orient themselves at the moment of victory, but few are those who know what to do when defeat arrives" and "it is necessary to understand the counterrevolution in order to prepare the revolution of tomorrow".
The theorization of historical experiences - Agustín Guillamón
A critique of Roi Ferreiro's critique of Andrés Devesa's essay on the Spanish civil war and revolution, in which Guillamon derides Ferreiro for idealism and the use of elitist jargon, and for his failure to "perceive that the battle for revolutionary history is not just a bookish, theoretical and abstract question, but another battlefield in the class war between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat".
Spain, 1936: the exorcism of the ghost of the revolution - Andrés Devesa
Theses on the Spanish Civil War and the revolutionary situation created on July 19, 1936 - BALANCE (Agustín Guillamón)
A 2001 text summarizing the results of the research carried out by Agustín Guillamón for the Spanish journal, BALANCE, concerning the lessons of the Spanish Civil War in Catalonia, denying the existence of "dual power" in Catalonia in 1936, discussing the struggles of the CNT rank and file against militarization and in favor of socialization, emphasizing the revolutionary potential of the ubiquitous committees and their neutralization and eventual destruction due to a lack of coordination and centralization, and claiming that the proletarian revolution requires the destruction of the capitalist state and the creation of a centralized workers power based on workers councils.
Amadeo Bordiga and the myth of Antonio Gramsci - John Chiaradia
Interview with José Peirats – Josep Alemany
A complete transcript of a 1977 interview with José Peirats, in which the Spanish historian and former militant of the CNT and FAI reminisces about his youth and discusses many of the controversies that plagued the CNT before as well as during the civil war, including the impact of the Russian Revolution, Angel Pestaña's mission to Russia in 1920, the Asturian insurrection of October 1934, the CNT's policy of collaboration with the government during the war, and the role of the Stalinists in the Republican coalition government's counterrevolution against the anarchist revolutionary achievements of July 1936.


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6 posts tagged with bit.
Displaying 1 through 6 of 6. Subscribe:
No! Don't make me talk to celebrities!
The World Cup of World Cup 2014 songs
We join the action in the quarter finals, where the line up is as follows: Croatia v Spain, Bosnia v Italy, Brazil v Argentina, and Belgium v Chile, in The Guardian's World Cup of World Cup 2014 songs, as voted for by Guardian readers.
8-bit Music
YouTube user "rakohus" uploads his own 8-bit versions of various songs. Enjoy songs by Kanye West, PSY, Nicki Minaj, and other artists in all of their 8-bit glory.
Typographic Inspiration
Beautiful Type is a patchwork of photos and illustrations having a relationship with typography. AisleOne is focused on graphic design, typography, grid systems, minimalism and modernism. iABC is a collection of beautiful letters. Inspiration Bit has a nice archive of articles about web typography. Nicetype is about fonts, logos, posters and software. Twenty-Six Types celebrates the beautiful letters. Typenuts is type-themed iPhone and desktop wallpapers. Typoretum is about typography, letterpress and printing history. Enjoy.
Itsy-bitsy teeny-weenie tiny everything
Look at This Little Thing! A tumblr collection of the perfectly tiny and miniature. [via mefi projects]
"If you love someone, you want to give something of yourself to them... Go big or go home you know?" Show that special sweetie of yours that you care with the magic of mutual self-mutilation. Really, how often were you using that ring finger, anyways?
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Hi Keith, thanks for foowlling ABC Creative Group on Facebook and this blog! My number one rule when it comes to blogging on behalf of a company or organization is to always keep the audience in mind and blog to that audience. Who are they? What are they interested in? How knowledgeable are they about what you're blogging about? Second rule would be to follow the voice of the organization I'm blogging for. ABC Creative Group is seriously committed to great ideas and effective marketing, yet we ensure we have an approachable demeanor that comes through in our blog entries. Finally, blogging is about engagement: Responding to comments and getting a conversation going is key. Hope that helps. That's just my take, feel free to ask the other ABC bloggers here on the site. Feel free to email me directly at if you have more questions!
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