Tag Archives: Mesa RIverview Stadium

Mick in Mesa: New Beginnings and Lessons Learned at the Lunch Table

Construction on the new Mesa Riverview stadium has begun and will be ready for 2014. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

Construction on the new Mesa Riverview stadium has begun and will be ready for 2014. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

Every year I make the trip to Mesa for Cubs spring training, I look forward to making the trip to Hohokam stadium.  But I’m looking forward to next year as the Cubs will be making their way to the new Mesa Riverview stadium located only a couple of miles away from Hohokam.  Rumors have swirled recently about what will happen to Hohokam once the Cubs leave, but it was announced last week that the Oakland A’s will be moving from their current spring training home in Phoenix to Mesa for the 2015 season.  It had been rumored for some time that the A’s would be moving into Hohokam Stadium, but the team announced that renovations will be made to Hohokam during 2014 and will be ready for use come spring of 2015.

The early stages of construction continue on Mesa Riverview stadium. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

The early stages of construction continue on Mesa Riverview stadium. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

One question that remains to be answered is whether Finch Park, the Cubs’ minor league ballpark located a couple of miles away from Hohokam Stadium, will be renovated as well.   Finch Park holds a lot of sentimental value for some of the older Cubs and for many of the current players who did the majority of their minor league training in that ballpark.  It’s likely that updates and renovations will be made to Finch Park as well, so the A’s will have a good spot for years to come.

But the Cubs will have a great spot at Mesa Riverview.  Construction is moving rapidly as the grounds have been leveled and structures of the stadium are already being built.  The location will be much more fan friendly and convenient than the current location of Hohokam Stadium.

The grounds have been leveled at Mesa Riverview Stadium and structures are currently being built. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

The grounds have been leveled at Mesa Riverview Stadium and structures are currently being built. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

With the new park being right off the 101 and the 202, fans will be able to jump in and out from the ballpark a lot easier.  Plus, it’s going to be a brand new facility that sits on a corner lot located next to a vast array of restaurants and stores.  Traffic will probably be fair due to the other attractions surrounding the ballpark, but normally when there is a fair amount of traffic in one area then there is the means to keep that traffic moving, which I think will be the case at Mesa Riverview.  It’s going to be a great facility, hands down, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how it turns out when it is all said and done.  (More constructions photos are available at the end of the blog.)

One of the things I’ve come to enjoy and appreciate at Cubs spring training is the playing of an organ.  The Cubs have to be one of the last teams to still use an organ to play music at the games instead of playing today’s current hits.  Here in Arizona, I don’t remember any other team that has an organ player. The Hohokam Stadium organist is there and that’s the music that you have.

The playing of the organ is a Cubs' tradition that has made its way from Wrigley Field to Hohokam Stadium. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

The playing of the organ is a Cubs’ tradition that has made its way from Wrigley Field to Hohokam Stadium. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

It’s funny when you hear “Electric Avenue” or anything by Michael Jackson or Led Zeppelin being played on organ.  But it does have an old baseball feel to it, which I find to be fun.  It takes getting used to but I’ve grown to like it during my time here in Mesa.  Perhaps the biggest difference is in the walkout music.   For instance, I can’t imagine Chipper Jones walking out to the plate and hearing “Crazy Train” being played on an organ.  However, I don’t think it would have a difference in his Hall-of-Fame career had his signature walkout song been played on an organ.

One of the best parts of my daily routine in Mesa is lunch.  It’s not just because I’m hungry and I’m ready to eat, but it’s because I get the opportunity to sit and eat lunch with some really great baseball people.  Yesterday I got the chance to sit down with some of the Milwaukee Brewers’ broadcasters, including Brian Anderson who I found to be really interesting.

This lunchroom has provided me the opportunity to meet many great broadcasters and listen to their countless stories. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

This lunchroom has provided me the opportunity to meet many great broadcasters and listen to their countless stories. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

I consider Brian, a guy who spent nine years calling Minor League games and later on went to be a part of the Golf Channel, one of the best TV broadcasters that are out there.  I had no idea that Brian was a guy who had spent so much time in the minors, and it’s inspirational because when you do this, you hope someone will notice you have talent and will give you an opportunity.  So when you meet someone who took almost the same route as you and made it to the highest level, then that fuels the hopes that you have.

Over the years I’ve gotten to sit down at lunch with Peter Gammons and a lot of the Chicago beat writers I enjoy so much.  I also got to sit down with Ken Korach, the voice of the Oakland A’s, and enjoyed talking to him.  Ken told me about his days spent in Triple-A and he’s been with the A’s a long time now, which is also inspiring for me as a young broadcaster.

These two signs adorn the walls of our media lunchroom at Hohokam Stadium. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

These two signs adorn the walls of our media lunchroom at Hohokam Stadium. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

But that is one of the reasons I value that part of my day so much.  I’m sure there are some guys I haven’t even thought about that I’ve gotten to eat lunch with and pick their brain.  I’m really lucky in that capacity and lunchtime is one of the best times of the day for me because of that.  I enjoy it and getting to just be around veteran broadcasters helps me because I’m able to pick up on things and get little tips that will help me become better at my job.  When you are talking to guys here, they are at the top of the field for what I want to do.

 

Mesa Riverview Construction Photos

The constructions headquarters for Mesa Riverview stadium. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

The constructions headquarters for Mesa Riverview stadium. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

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A view from the street at what will be the Cubs’ new spring training facility. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

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A look at what will be one of the main entrances to Mesa Riverview Stadium. Photo Courtesy: Mick Gillispie

 

 

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What We’re Reading (2/20/13)

Throughout the 2013 baseball season, the Smokies on Radio staff will be rolling out all the Cubs, Smokies, and baseball news each weekday. To stay current with all the latest news, follow Smokies on Radio on Twitter and like the Smokies on Radio Facebook page.

Cubs’ Samardzija expects Garza to challenge for Opening Day start despite setback.

Carrie Muskat / Cubs.com

The Cubs and Samardzija both hope Matt Garza returns healthy enough to compete for the Opening Day start. Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

The Cubs and Samardzija both hope Matt Garza returns healthy enough to compete for the Opening Day start. Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

“To sit and count Garza out wouldn’t be the smartest thing to do. I want that competition,” Samardzija told reporters Tuesday.  “I want me and Garza and Edwin [Jackson] to go out and compete for that spot. It’s only going to make us better and build us as a core of the rotation.”

Samardzija was listed atop the Cubs’ depth chart headed into Spring Training, but the 28-year-old is looking for competition to push him this spring after his training partner Ryan Dempster was traded to the Texas Rangers in July and then signed with Boston this offseason.  The Cubs announced Tuesday that pitcher Matt Garza will be sat down for a week after an MRI revealed a mild lat strain on his left side.

Starlin Castro aiming for a Gold Glove award in 2013.

Carrie Muskat / MLBlogs Network

Starlin Castro's .964 fielding percentage ranked 10th among NL shortstops in 2012.

Starlin Castro’s .964 fielding percentage ranked 10th among NL shortstops in 2012.

“I know that God gave me [the ability to] hit,” Castro said on Tuesday. “That’s why when I went to the Dominican, I worked hard every day on my defense. I want to be like [Darwin] Barney and win a Gold Glove.

Castro committed 27 errors last season, the most among all shortstops in the National League, and ranked 10th in fielding percentage (.964).  Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney won his first Gold Glove last season after improving his defense with former infield coordinator Pat Listach.

“It’s one thing I challenged him to do,” said Cubs manager Dale Svuem.  “[I said] ‘Your next step now is to win a Gold Glove,’ and obviously that takes a lot of focus and hard work and being focused for 150 pitches a game and 162 games.”

Cubs’ Epstein says he’s pleased with progress of the organization.

David Kaplan / CSN Chicago

Theo Epstein characterized the Cubs rebuilding plan as being 30 percent complete.

Theo Epstein characterized the Cubs rebuilding plan as being 30 percent complete. Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

“We feel great about where we are going. It was a huge year for the farm system and everything that happened behind the scenes,” said Epstein.  “We don’t want to keep talking about it. We can’t wait for the season to start so we can go out and do it so our prospects can continue to develop. I think we are going to surprise some people at the major-league level with the quality and depth of our pitching staff.

However, Epstein said if the major league club looks to be struggling half way through the season, things could “get ugly for the last couple of months.”

Changes expected to the Cubs’ seventh inning stretch after listening to fan feedback.

Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune

Vince Vaughn sings "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during a 7th inning stretch in 2012. Photo Courtesy: John Gress/WireImage

Vince Vaughn sings “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during a 7th inning stretch in 2012. Photo Courtesy: John Gress/WireImage

Cubs in-game programming director Jim Oboikowitch announced Tuesday the team will bring in less “A listers” and will instead focus on brining in those with Chicago ties.

“They should know something about the Cubs. They should know the background of Harry Caray and what we are doing, and I think it will be a little more teaching them and exposing them,” said Oboikowitch.

Reds’ manager Dusty Baker still frustrated by the way things ended in Chicago.

David Kaplan / CSN Chicago

Baker admitted Monday that he wishes he'd been give a better opportunity in Chicago. Photo Courtesy: Steve Grayson/WireImage

Baker admitted Monday that he wishes he’d been give a better opportunity in Chicago. Photo Courtesy: Steve Grayson/WireImage

Baker gathered with media Monday as part of the Cactus League media day at Chase Field in Phoenix.  While Baker discussed the excitement surrounding his Cincinnati Reds team, he also admitted he views his four years in Chicago as a period he tries to forget.

“I’ve made (it) invisible, like that was a part of my life that never was,” Baker said. “When I get back to Chicago, then it hits me front and center. You know, in life you can make anything invisible, because if you don’t then, you know, some of the pain that you might have felt will always be there and you don’t need that.”

Baker told reporters he was not ready to go in 2006 after the Cubs did not renew his contract.

“At the time when I was sent out I wasn’t ready to go then. When I was there they quit spending money and they quit reloading,” he said. “Then right after I left they started spending money again.”

Cubs new Mesa Riverview Stadium only a year away.

East Valley Tribune / Mike Sakai

The Cubs will begin next spring by playing their games in the new Mesa Riverview Stadium. Photo Courtesy: City of Mesa

The Cubs will begin next spring by playing their games in the new Mesa Riverview Stadium. Photo Courtesy: City of Mesa

The Cubs new 125-acre spring training facility will resemble Wrigley Field and seat 15,000 fans.  The complex will have 70 percent of its seating in the shade, a large concourse with a party deck over left field and state-of-the-art weight and training rooms.

“It marks a new beginning,” Cubs CEO Tom Ricketts said last year.  ““The Chicago Cubs are a part of the City of Mesa and we look forward to being a good neighbor.”

Nick Roark is a Broadcast & Media Associate for Smokies Radio Network.  You can follow Nick on Twitter here: @NickRoark4.

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