Cubs point finger--at Wrigley
By Paul Sullivan
Tribune staff reporter
Published May 27, 2005
Wrigley Field remains the Cubs' worst enemy in the minds of some players, as Carlos Zambrano said after Thursday's disheartening 5-2 loss to Colorado.
"I think when we go on the road we'll be much better," said Zambrano, the losing pitcher Thursday. "The wind factor in this ballpark is a big key for us."
In other words, Wrigley is a pitcher's park in the spring and not at all conducive to a team that relies on home runs to score runs. The wind has blown in for 14 of the 24 home games thus far, and the Cubs have a 12-12 home record, including back-to-back losses in the last 24 hours to teams with a combined seven wins on the road. The Rockies are in town for three more.
"I talked to Fred McGriff here when I was a visitor and I was on first base," Todd Walker said. "He said, `People think this is a hitter's park, and it's not.' He was right.
"It's a home-run park half the days, but if you don't have either extreme speed or extreme power, when you don't hit home runs, you're going to have a tough time."
The Cubs are third in the National League in home runs (52), but are tied for 13th in runs scored (190). Walker believes Cubs management can only build two kinds of teams--with burners or sluggers.
"This ballpark is conducive to the home-run hitters and/or speed guys," he said.
"Even if you're a Tony Gwynn, he's not going to hit here what he hit in San Diego because of the tall grass. You hit balls in the gaps that land in front of the outfielders, and it's a single not a double. It doesn't kick and keep going. If you stand at home plate here, and you stand at home plate at Coors Field, there's a major difference in the outfield as a whole."
Walker pointed out infields in places like Los Angeles are so low-cut it gives them an artificial turf effect. The Cubs purposely have kept the infield grass high over the years.
"I'm sure there's a purpose for that," Walker said. "But here's my point: You either need home-run guys or speed guys. If you're a great hitter--like Nomar [Garciaparra]--he hit .290 [in 2004] instead of .320. A lot of balls Nomar hits for base hits go through third and short. And from what I noticed, those were being caught."
Wrigley always has been considered a hitter's park, but only when the wind is blowing out.
"Maybe 40 years ago they were hitting the ball around," Walker said. "But over the last few years, and especially the last two years, if you don't hit home runs, you have to have guys who bunt and steal and do the small ball thing--not two [players], but more like six or seven of those guys."
Home cooked?
Breaking down the Cubs' offense at Wrigley Field and on the road.
HOME CATEGORY ROAD
12-12 Record 9-12
4.1 Runs/gm 4.4
8.3 Hits/gm 9.6
1.5 Doubles/gm 2.1
1.2 HRs/gm 1.1
.249 Average .273
3.55 ERA 4.59
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psullivanATSIGNtribune.com</PRE>
By Paul Sullivan
Tribune staff reporter
Published May 27, 2005
Wrigley Field remains the Cubs' worst enemy in the minds of some players, as Carlos Zambrano said after Thursday's disheartening 5-2 loss to Colorado.
"I think when we go on the road we'll be much better," said Zambrano, the losing pitcher Thursday. "The wind factor in this ballpark is a big key for us."
In other words, Wrigley is a pitcher's park in the spring and not at all conducive to a team that relies on home runs to score runs. The wind has blown in for 14 of the 24 home games thus far, and the Cubs have a 12-12 home record, including back-to-back losses in the last 24 hours to teams with a combined seven wins on the road. The Rockies are in town for three more.
"I talked to Fred McGriff here when I was a visitor and I was on first base," Todd Walker said. "He said, `People think this is a hitter's park, and it's not.' He was right.
"It's a home-run park half the days, but if you don't have either extreme speed or extreme power, when you don't hit home runs, you're going to have a tough time."
The Cubs are third in the National League in home runs (52), but are tied for 13th in runs scored (190). Walker believes Cubs management can only build two kinds of teams--with burners or sluggers.
"This ballpark is conducive to the home-run hitters and/or speed guys," he said.
"Even if you're a Tony Gwynn, he's not going to hit here what he hit in San Diego because of the tall grass. You hit balls in the gaps that land in front of the outfielders, and it's a single not a double. It doesn't kick and keep going. If you stand at home plate here, and you stand at home plate at Coors Field, there's a major difference in the outfield as a whole."
Walker pointed out infields in places like Los Angeles are so low-cut it gives them an artificial turf effect. The Cubs purposely have kept the infield grass high over the years.
"I'm sure there's a purpose for that," Walker said. "But here's my point: You either need home-run guys or speed guys. If you're a great hitter--like Nomar [Garciaparra]--he hit .290 [in 2004] instead of .320. A lot of balls Nomar hits for base hits go through third and short. And from what I noticed, those were being caught."
Wrigley always has been considered a hitter's park, but only when the wind is blowing out.
"Maybe 40 years ago they were hitting the ball around," Walker said. "But over the last few years, and especially the last two years, if you don't hit home runs, you have to have guys who bunt and steal and do the small ball thing--not two [players], but more like six or seven of those guys."
Home cooked?
Breaking down the Cubs' offense at Wrigley Field and on the road.
HOME CATEGORY ROAD
12-12 Record 9-12
4.1 Runs/gm 4.4
8.3 Hits/gm 9.6
1.5 Doubles/gm 2.1
1.2 HRs/gm 1.1
.249 Average .273
3.55 ERA 4.59
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psullivanATSIGNtribune.com</PRE>
