MESA, Ariz. -- Ryan Dempster has given up on predicting the World Series champion, after his infamous declaration the Cubs would win in 2008. But he told the media Thursday that Canada would beat the United States in tonight's Olympic showdown in Vancouver, when asked by a reporter.
For what it's worth, Dempster also predicted last spring the Blackhawks would play Boston in the 2009 Stanley Cup Final.
Anyways, the Cubs enjoyed a soggy Sunday at both Fitch and HoHoKam Parks. The pitchers split in half, with some going indoors to pitch down the street at HoHoKam. The hitters patiently waited their turn in a covered facility at Fitch, going two at a time.
"Tomorrow we're supposed to get some more rain," manager Lou Piniella predicted. "So we'll see what happens."
Photo: Cubs pitchers in Mesa on Saturday. (AP / Paul Connors)
Asked if the Fitch Park had changed any since he began his career in the mid-80s, Greg Maddux replied: "Yeah, the trees are bigger."
Piniella had no news, which is considered good news for the Cubs, a franchise famous for spring training calamities, including hot tub spills, convenience store punch-outs, and even a twisted testicle over the last few years.
Piniella said he's undecided on whether to use Ryan Theriot or Kosuke Fukudome as his lead-off man, and that both will get a shot this spring. Ted Lilly is back to normal, or as normal as Ted Lilly can be these days. "We've got to bring him along slowly, and not rush him," Piniella said.
The manager also said none of the four candidates for the No. 4 and 5 spots (Jeff Samardzija, Carlos Silva, Sean Marshall and Tom Gorzelanny) has an edge, and that Angel Guzman is two weeks behind the other pitchers, and may appear in a game the second week of March.
Finally, Piniella enjoyed the sound of the ball hitting the catchers' mitts in the covered batting cage. He had an idea for Cubs pitchers, but mentioned it only to the media.
"I would pay a catcher to make that mitt pop as much as possible, I can tell you that," he said. "We've got some nice, young arms there. But, boy, that sound makes your fastball look about three or four miles faster."
After the workout, most everyone left to watch the hockey game.
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Demp pick the Cubs to finish last place.
Day 231: Sox fans still obsessed with the Cubs.
Day 232: Sox fans still trying to convince each other that it's still 2005.
Day 233: After finishing 2010 at 80-82, 12 games behind the Twins for first place, Sox fans think they will win the World Series in 2011 if only they can bring back Jim Thome.
Day 234: Sox fans still obsessed with all things Cubs.
When is the Trib going to stop this "DAY X" junk?
Let's jump to the finish line.
DAY 230: "Wait Until Next Year. 102 Years and Counting"
Sounds to me like Mr. Dempster needs to stop making predictions before he jinxes the hawks too!
Cubs will be playing Cubtober baseball.......
I guess Dempster is just no good at making predictions. The Canadian olympic hockey team beating the US is just not going to happen. Sorry Demps.. you're still 0-fer