Ben Zobrist hasn’t attended college since 2004, but he’s prepared to take a history lesson in an effort to see if he can help the Cubs become the first team to repeat as World Series champions since the 1998-2000 Yankees.
"I want to look at what their hitters did, what their pitchers did, and if they were able to stay healthy," Zobrist said Monday, referring to the consecutive championships won by the Yankees and Blue Jays (1992-93). Zobrist, also a champion with the Royals in 2015, also is intrigued by the Giants’ pattern of titles in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
"The Giants have been good the last six years, and you kind of saw after they won it each year, it was a lull for them.
"We know it’s a great challenge for us this year trying to figure out how to get there."
Sudden impact: Eloy Jimenez, the Cubs’ top prospect, made a favorable impression by making a spontaneous visit to manager Joe Maddon‘s office.
"He believes he belongs here," Maddon said. "He’s bright. For me, it’s about getting to know him and talking to the coaches. But he’s got a bright future right there."
Jimenez was named the Cubs’ 2016 minor league player of the year and was named MVP of the Class-A Midwest League. Maddon saw Jimenez’s talents during the Futures Game, where he hit a long home run at Petco Park and made a spectacular catch in right field.
Extra innings: Dry weather allowed the Cubs to conduct their first full-squad workout. As expected, the pitchers dominated the batters during live batting practice. "I feel like I need one-and-a-half months to get ready for the season," admitted Zobrist, who said he didn’t wear cleats while facing Jon Lester. … Maddon said John Lackey, 38, "wants to pitch further along," citing Lackey’s love and aptitude for the game and his reverence for his father, Texas high-school coach Derran Lackey. … Maddon’s annual Respect Bald event, in which numerous Cubs players and staffers shave their heads to raise money for pediatric cancer awareness, will be held prior to the March 4 game against the Dodgers on Field 1 adjacent to Sloan Park.
Caption Scenes from Monday’s Cubs spring training workout
Scenes from the Cubs’ spring training workout in Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 20, 2017. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Scenes from the Cubs’ spring training workout in Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 20, 2017. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Scenes from Monday’s Cubs spring training workout
Scenes from the Cubs’ spring training workout in Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 20, 2017. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Scenes from the Cubs’ spring training workout in Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 20, 2017. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Tim Buss, dressed for the occasion, leads Cubs’ warmups
Cubs strength and conditioning coordinator Tim Buss leads warmups in a top hat and sports coat on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs strength and conditioning coordinator Tim Buss leads warmups in a top hat and sports coat on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Joe Maddon on Tim Buss, nuns and getting to know Eloy Jimenez
Cubs manager Joe Maddon reacts to strength and conditioning coordinator Tim Buss’ attire during Monday’s warmups and discusses having nuns at spring training and getting to know top prospect Eloy Jimenez on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs manager Joe Maddon reacts to strength and conditioning coordinator Tim Buss’ attire during Monday’s warmups and discusses having nuns at spring training and getting to know top prospect Eloy Jimenez on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Cubs’ Jason Heyward takes batting practice
Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward takes batting practice on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, in Mesa, Ariz. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward takes batting practice on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, in Mesa, Ariz. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Ben Zobrist on Cubs’ first day of live batting practice
Ben Zobrist reacts after the Cubs’ first day of live batting practice on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Ben Zobrist reacts after the Cubs’ first day of live batting practice on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
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