Goodbye Arizona, hello New York
The last two days here, you really have to struggle to bang through the long days. I think you can smell the end. You treat the New York trip almost like it’s Opening Day. I think it’s a good thing we play these exhibitions. The travel will be tough for us but we’ll probably go through worse travel trips in the middle of the year. It’ll be good to play in front of a packed house for two days. It’ll be nice to see the stadium — we’ve heard so many things about it.
Now, you see everybody dress up nice. Font got his new outfit from “Gap for Kids” and Theriot’s suit is from “Men’s Wearhouse.” When you see those things, you know it’s time to go. Guys are excited and ready to get out of here. The new luggage tags are good, Otis yelling at everybody is another good sign. Like I said before, guys are excited and they want it to count. This trip will help us regain our focus. You have those Opening Day jitters and hopefully we get them out of the way and roll into Houston and start playing good baseball.
I love watching Patton pitch. He’s 24 years old and attacking the strike zone. The only problem Lou has with guys from a pitching standpoint is when they’re not throwing strikes and that’s not what Patton is all about. He’s about pounding the strike zone. I can see why any manager or any pitching coach could fall in love with a guy like that.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he’s with us the whole year. He’s not your typical Rule 5 guy. I think he can have a big impact on our team. You listen to his attitude and talking to him, he was so excited about spring. He was talking to me about how in Spring Training he does what he has to do physically in the weight room and out on the mound to prepare himself for the season and once the bell rings, it’s time to get after it. To hear that kind of attitude from a young kid — he has a lot of confidence in his stuff and that’s what you need to pitch up here.
He’ll be a good addition if he’s on our team. I think he’s going to have a long successful career. You can just tell. It’s not just a guy’s stuff, because there are guys with great stuff, but they don’t have the right attitude. He’s got the right combination and it’s exciting to see a player like that.
— Reed
Reed Between the Lines 
Awww…poor little Lord Fontenot! Wasn’t there an Old Navy for Kids anywhere?
Glad you all are ready for the season. I can tell you right now that I’m dying for it to get started. I needs mah baseball!!!
Awww…poor little Lord Fontenot! Wasn’t there an Old Navy for Kids anywhere?
Glad you all are ready for the season. I can tell you right now that I’m dying for it to get started. I needs mah baseball!!!
i’m hoping that in one of your posts your can comment about how this spring training feels compared to your spring training last year as a new cub; and possibly the emerging clubhouse leaders this year. keep up the great posts and i hope you post throughout the season!
Safe trip and let the games begin!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
Haha thanks for the shout out to GapKids! I work at a Gap and can only imagine Font’s outfit!
Cubs Bloggers and Blog Readers-
Check out my Cubs Blog and join me on the blog for a live chat on Sunday night at 7:00! There is a lot to talke about as we go enter a new season!
http://www.everythingcubs.blogspot.com/
Comment on the Blog and tell me what you think! Thanks,
Cubbiefan07
Reed,I am a Jays fan. I come to the Cubs board to follow you. I respect and enjoy the way you play the game (all out). Thank you for the way you play. Good luck to you and the Cubbies in 09.
GAP KIDS!!! Hahahahahha, I think I just peed a little. You’re funny!
Reed–
Love the blog and love you on the Cubs. You play the way the game is supposed to be played and the fans love you for that. I had a chance to meet you at the Cubs Convention this year and you seem like a super nice guy, you even let me give you a hug! It was great to hear what you had to say in the Not for Women Only panel and I am so glad you are blogging this year! I’ve got tickets to 14 games this season and you bet each and every time I will be cheering for you in Center Field!
Keep up the great work. I want to be singing GO CUBS GO a lot this year!
–Jenn
Hey Reed! DeRosa hasn’t even started posting yet!!! So if Bradley and Soriano stay healthy, will you and Fuku be a strict platoon??? As a life long cub fan, we’re rooting for you! Any chance you can post during your stop in New York?? Good luck! The series run begins in Houston!!! Oh, by the way, my girlfriend has this “knack” of giving players a new name and she has several cubs with different names or nicknames….You are just simply, “Reed”….DeRosa was “that guy” because she saw him everyday but couldn’t remember his name….Fontenot is “Shaggy”, bacause he looks like the character from Scooby-Doo!!! Weve grown to calling him this so much during the offseason i cactually had to look up his real first name. And finally Lou, which now is my girlfriends fav!!! He is simply and belovedly in our home known as “Turtle”. This is the highest honor as cub manager, for his belly, his speed walk to the mound, and his long interview answers! Take carre, RJ, Lafayette, IN.
Reed,
Thanks for the insight on Patton. That’s the kind of stuff I’m interested in reading.
hey rockinralph987,
Your girlfriend’s nicknames are so creative, I bet that’s not all she has a knack for. She has a promising future, maybe even in baseball.
The challenge has been presented to you…
Play the “Game” at
http://www.mlpogame.wordpress.com
Where respect is earned…
Hey Reed,
Thanks for the blog. We fans love to hear all the inside team info. I especially love the way some of the guys love to kid around with each other. My personal nickname for Fontenot is ‘Frodo’. He probably wouldn’t like it, but it makes me chuckle. It’s a compliment really — Frodo was a little guy with a big heart, and a hero, too! 🙂
JL in CA
Hey Reed, love the blog. I agree that these exhibitions are going to be a good thing….hopefully it will be a nice transition between spring training and opening day in Houston. PLUS, I was able to score tickets for both games at the new Yankee Stadium, so I’m excited to get my Cubs fix in NYC a little early this year before you guys come back to play the Mets in September.
Safe travels and let’s hope the rain holds off tomorrow night. Go Cubs Go!
-Brian (bleeding Cubbie blue in the borough of Queens)
Hey Reed! So my girlfriend and I were just reading your latest blog and came across a girl’s comment about how she got a hug from you at this year’s Cubs Convention. I’m not going to lie, she was jealous. Haha, so you better be with the Cubbies for a long time so we have a chance to see you at another Cubs Convention down the road. I’m pumped to see you guys in action in New York. Show that Yankee crowd how we play ball in Chicago, wooo! Love the blog, my man, keep it up!
– Donny
That’s one hell of an endorsement! I’m sold, it sounds (and looks) like this kid has what it takes. If you don’t keep this kid,…. why even take a pick in the rule 5?
Great blog Reed, I hope Patton gets a chance with the club/ He has definitely did his part in spring training. I hope Sweet Lou gives him the opportunity to give it his shot in the bigs. Keep playing it real on the field, I think we have a good team. I live in China, but will in Chicago in July and I will be at the greatest ballpark in America, cheering my Cubs to victory.
Great blog Reed, I hope Patton gets a chance with the club/ He has definitely did his part in spring training. I hope Sweet Lou gives him the opportunity to give it his shot in the bigs. Keep playing it real on the field, I think we have a good team. I live in China, but will in Chicago in July and I will be at the greatest ballpark in America, cheering my Cubs to victory.
I don’t think these Fontenot jokes will ever get old…
I don’t think these Fontenot jokes will ever get old…
Would love to hear about what it felt like to play right field and hit in the Yankee’s new stadium – it seems so large/high, what the visitors clubhouse was like, and if Fontinot could reach the shelf in his locker.
Reed, Kay and I watched you play in New York on Friday evening. Good job and we’ll follow your blog from your neighborhood in Las Vegas.
Clyde & Kay
Reed,
Let the games begin! Have a great season!
http://baseballintheattic.mlblogs.com/
Reed,
I just wanted to say, you remind me of my high school days in baseball… the comments on Fontenot are hilarious and it just brings me back to the fun times I shared in high school ball. I wish you the best in the upcoming season, and I am finally happy to hear Lou say that you came here to win a job, that is all I needed to hear. Last year my buddies and I were keeping track of our wins when you played and when you started. It was staggering to say the least haha. You brought victories to this team the majority of the time you played. I know you had a short injury, and we struggled in that time. But I thought when Soriano went down, having Theriot and you 1 and 2 was just awesome. Hit and Run, stealing, bunting, it was all the small ball the team needed. But hey, best of luck Reed! I will soon have my Reed goatee grown out (just the strip)! you need to grow out that strip again!
Reed-
I’m so glad you have a blog, it’s gonna be fun hearing from you all season. I can’t wait for this thing to get started. Okay, favorite 2008 moment from you (and while you can’t even question “the catch”) this one is…. Wrigley Field, Rich Harden’s Cub’s debut vs. the Giants….we had a huge lead they came back, it went into extras, 1 out Derosa on second you hit a groundball into right field, Derosa comes around, slides, and is safe and you won us the ballgame. That was such a great moment!
Have a great season, have fun, I can’t wait to see some more awesome Reed Johnson catches!
– Natalie
Reed-
Looking forward to a great 2009 season! First pitch is almost here, we’ve been waiting all winter and I think everyone can agree that opening day is one of the best days of the year. (that and clinching the playoffs) Personally, I think you need to be playing center field every day. Like Zambrano, you are one player that can be counted on to play 110% every pitch, and there is never any question of a lack of effort. I’ll be there Friday April 17th to watch you guys beat on the Cardinals. Cant wait to get back to the friendly confines!\
-Dusty
~Reed~
Thanks for the blog! I love the inside view and much like everyone else, I am anxiously awaiting Opening Day tomorrow!! Unfortunately I live where there is no MLB field, but my sister and I will be traveling to Colorado in August to see you all stomp on the Rockies. Hopefully you’ll be starting in that game and it wouldn’t hurt to have Theriot, Fontenot and Soto. 🙂 Keep up the blog and lot’s of luck in tomorrow’s game.
~Milli~
I was at the second game in New York… when the PA announcer was giving the lineups and said “Reed Johnson” and they put the giant picture up on the jumbotron, some dude near me shouted, “CUT YOUR HAIR!”
I don’t think that’s what he meant. But I thought the irony was comical.
Hi Reed. We need your help, we’re having a bit of a dispute:
http://www.prosportsdaily.com/forums/showthread.php?t=349087
As you can see we wish to know who would win between you and The Little Lord (Fonty) in a knife fight.
Thanks! And your blogs are hilarious, can’t wait to see more!
Hey Reed, you need to teach *** how to drift back out there in center field and hold on to the ball, lol. When I seen him drop that ball all I thought was,,, if Reed was out there he would of slowed down a bit just so he could dive to catch it, lol. Keep that 300 batting average and the Cubs will have another great year. This time lets win it all. I ain’t getin’ any younger, lol. Good luck on new season. I will be watching every game. ,,,,, Aero
Let the Games Begin
GO CUBS GO
Let the Games Begin
GO CUBS GO
Reed,
I coach the Murrieta, CA Pony League Cubs (7-8yr olds). When teaching the fundamentals- I just say- watch Reed Johnson play. I love the hustle and you play the right way!!! Thanks for being a role model. It was great seeing you in SD last year. I made it out to Mesa in March for the game against the Rockies- what a game – you played outstanding!!
Mark
Reed,
I coach the Murrieta, CA Pony League Cubs (7-8yr olds). When teaching the fundamentals- I just say- watch Reed Johnson play. I love the hustle and you play the right way!!! Thanks for being a role model. It was great seeing you in SD last year. I made it out to Mesa in March for the game against the Rockies- what a game – you played outstanding!!
Mark
Reed,
I coach the Murrieta, CA Pony League Cubs (7-8yr olds). When teaching the fundamentals- I just say- watch Reed Johnson play. I love the hustle and you play the right way!!! Thanks for being a role model. It was great seeing you in SD last year. I made it out to Mesa in March for the game against the Rockies- what a game – you played outstanding!!
Mark
“Don’t act like you’re not impressed”
Yay for a win on day one! Keep the guys motivated and laughing Reed! Can’t wait to see you get some action… in the game… awkward! HahahaFont can borrow my little brothers suit. He’s 5 and he got it from Gymboree.Stephaniehttp://steponme.mlblogs.com
If you giving Fontenot and Theriot a hard time makes them play like they did yesterday, I’m all for it.
I wanted to get a shirt that said I am a big Johnson fan….but my husband said he wouldn’t be seen with me wearing it…don’t understand.
If you giving Fontenot and Theriot a hard time makes them play like they did yesterday, I’m all for it.
I wanted to get a shirt that said I am a big Johnson fan….but my husband said he wouldn’t be seen with me wearing it…don’t understand.
“Gap for Kids”, Reed, you’re the best! I love it!
Reed, I really like your blog and your skill exhibited on the field. As for Fontenot, we at Boeing in the Pacific Northwest call him Footnote because he seems to make the scroll a lot at the bottom of the screen on ESPN. You guys are a trip to watch, and your enthusiasm for the game really show. Keep up the great work. I think you, Font, Micha, and Theriot are going to really shine this year. Looks like Lou enjoys coaching you guys as much as we enjoy watching you play. Go Cubs.
If you had’nt seen the replay of last night, you were safe by a mile dude. I dont know how you guys keep your cool out there….Good stuff to here about Patton. I am anxious to see him in a game. Thought maybe last night. Lou may not want that kinda pressure his first time out though….Man I would of flipped on that ump! Good job keepin your cool. Like to know what Sinatro said though. Bet he’s a riot all razed up…..Like what i’m seein so far from everybody(well, not so much Kosuke. I think you’ve earned that job dude till we see him improve.)… Go Cubs Go!!!
Great post Reed. I’ve been a fan of yours since your first game in Cubbie Blue. I agree with pnt1019…you’ve definitely earned the CF job…but take note it took Lou a while to realize that Theriot could be an EVERYDAY SS. Lou came to his senses and I think in a short amount of time…He’ll come to realize that Fukudome will be better served coming off the bench to counteract another team’s righty coming out of the pen. You play better defense and you are much more productive at the plate…Lou will eventually see that. I applaud your team-first attitude and the balls-to-the-wall mentality you play with. I teach my high school team to use all parts of the field at the plate like you and Theriot. Keep up the great work! Best of luck this year!
BLEEDING BLUE IN 2009
Great post Reed. I’ve been a fan of yours since your first game in Cubbie Blue. I agree with pnt1019…you’ve definitely earned the CF job…but take note it took Lou a while to realize that Theriot could be an EVERYDAY SS. Lou came to his senses and I think in a short amount of time…He’ll come to realize that Fukudome will be better served coming off the bench to counteract another team’s righty coming out of the pen. You play better defense and you are much more productive at the plate…Lou will eventually see that. I applaud your team-first attitude and the balls-to-the-wall mentality you play with. I teach my high school team to use all parts of the field at the plate like you and Theriot. Keep up the great work! Best of luck this year!
BLEEDING BLUE IN 2009
If you get a chance…check out my blog
http://bleedingcubbieblue.mlblogs.com/
Dude, you are awesome! In Milwaukee, it was so cool that you robbed Prince of his homer. He’s one of those players you love to hate because he’s way too good and he’s not a cubbie. But you brought him back down to earth in front of his home crowd – way to go. It is so exciting to see you play baseball; we just don’t know what to expect from you next. Sweet baby Lou needs you use you every day; you just get better and better!!! I love the Cubs and live for my trips to Chicago-see you May 13th -suprpressed to only 3 trips this year by her husband – dikitty (CatSawyers in Winterset, Iowa) I LOVE THE CUBS – DIEHARD SINCE 1984
PS – This is the first time I have ever written in to any player!!! Dikitty (CATSAWYERS) Winterset, Iowa