Matt Pagnozzi - Any relation?

Tom’s nephew.

Yes, nephew I believe to Tom

Yes, I believe Matt is Tom’s nephew

DG:

First of all, I greatly appreciate the Spring updates & thanks to the photographer as well for the daily slide shows–

Question: I’ve seen lots of hype regarding McClellan as well as Mortensen– but almost nothing on Garcia. Does he have any chance of pitching in St Louis this summer? What’s been the general impression– both from yourself and any read you get from Duncan?
Thanks,

Allen in Portland (OR)

DG

Why don’t the Cardinals have any interest in Kenny Lofton? Even at his age, he would be the best leadoff hitter we have had in the last 5 or 6 years, and he is an experienced outfielder that would almost certainly help the youngsters we will have in left and right. He just seems like the perfect fit to play center, lead off, and thus give Rasmus the time he needs to adjust to the majors.

Derrick,
Sam Zell, the Cubs’ new owner, says he’s open to selling naming rights to Wrigley Field. Shouldn’t be an issue, given that Chicago’s ignorant baseball fans usual only know their venues as “Cubs Park” and “Sox Park.” It’s time for Bird Land to sponsor a naming contest for Chicago’s sightline-impaired dump of a ballpark (the older one).

– The Prince Spaghetti Park previously known as Wrigley.
– Reelect Gov. Blagojevic Field. Free admission for senior citizens.
– Cialis (tadalafil) Stadium: So you can win a pennant when the time is right. (In the event of a game lasting more than four hours, seek immediate trade for more pitching.)
– 1908 Centennial Memorial Field.
– Nicotrol Field. Hey, it’s still chewing gum.
– Old Style Park, because a bad baseball town deserves bad beer.
– Mayor Richard M. Daley Memorial Olympic Stadium.
– Mega Millions Park from the Illinois Lottery: You can’t win if you don’t play. (Legal notice: Odds of winning lottery or World Series approximately 1 in 200 million. For entertainment purposes only … if you consider August collapses entertaining.)
– Zell-ular Field. Widely known as “The Zell.”
– Obama’s Audacity of Hope Park. Cub fans are looking for CHANGE. New uniforms: Turban and Somali robe thingy.
– John McCain’s “Maybe 100″ Years Stadium.

I’ve been campaigning for Lofton for a while. He’s more interesting than Juan Gonzalez, frankly, because he would be a better fielder and could fill the uncertain leadoff roll. The biggest problem with Lofton is that he hits lefthanded. I recently argued in Bird Land for Shannon Stewart, who at 34 is younger, hits righty and if healthy could provide similar attributes to Lofton, who turns 41 in May. Unfortunately, the Blue Jays just signed Stewart, so another opportunity lost.

This may be a stupid question but can someone tell me where I find the daily slideshows?

The perfect sponsor for naming rights at “Cubs Park” would be the discount store Marshall’s. The name Marshall’s Field should make all those Chicago folks who were upset when their beloved Marshall Fields became Macy’s, happy again.

DG,

Did I read the box score correctly in that Chris Carpenter struckout and played 1B for one inning in the game versus St Louis University?

Fuhrig, I vote for Old Style Park, it just fits on so many levels for it not to win.

PS - Nice to see that Spiezio was able to stay on the straight and narrow for about two months this offseason. I hope that what is alleged by the police is not true, but have seen too many who struggle with addition to say I’m not really surprised if it is true.

Fuhring

Your list of possible naming rights for wrigley made milk come out of my nose.

Rasmus two for two is a good start.

Fuhrig…comments about Obama’s ethnic background aside, RIGHTEOUS!

I hope they don’t change the name of Wrigley, though. Wrigley, Fenway and Yankee Stadium need to keep their names, one and all.

#14…you mean, two for two w/two walks…those walks are as, if not more, important than the hits. We know the kid can rake, but we need him to take pitches and get on base in front of Albert. (I understand that the two walks came in the same inning against bottom rotation college pitching, but whatever, right?!)

…wishin’ it were March 31st (or 17th).

DG,

OK, Spezio is a goner. Does that open an infield or outfield spot? Or a spot for a “swingman” to take and play both?

Also, I’d like you to handicap the following 3 things happening.
1) OF Brian Barton making the team.
2) IF Brian Barden making the team.
3) Both Brian Barton and Brian Barden making the team.

–Trueman93

if brian barton and brian bardon make the team, announcers everywhere will stroke out.

Can they name Cubs’ field “Wrigley Stadium sponsored by (the other) Jeff Gordon”? that would be in honor of his infamous singing of Take me out to the ball game a couple years back.