PHOENIX – It became obvious Saturday that the Aramis Ramirez-Bob Brenly fight isn’t going to happen.
The media tried to pour gasoline on the feud, but to no avail. Ramirez, the former Cubs third baseman, only said that Brenly would be better served sticking to his job description as Cubs television analyst.
Asked if he had any plans to talk to Brenly, Ramirez said, “No, I don’t care. He’s a broadcaster. He should just worry about calling the game. He’s not a coach, he’s not a manager. He should just call the game. The coaches, the manager, the GM, they should take care of that other stuff.”
Why all the smoke between the two?
It isn’t often that a team broadcaster is as vocal about a player as Brenly has been about Ramirez’s 81/2 seasons with the Cubs. Brenly called Ramirez a “numbers gatherer” and questioned his ability to maximize his talent.
Regarding his move to Milwaukee, Ramirez said he wasn’t shocked that Cubs president Theo Epstein let him go. He was asked if Cubs fans will have the patience for the Epstein experiment.
“I’m not a fan, I’m a player,” Ramirez said. “It’s going to take time, hopefully sooner than later.”
Cubs fans won’t have to wait very long to see Ramirez back at Wrigley Field. The Brewers open a four-game series there April 9. Does he think he will be booed
“I don’t really worry about it. I can’t control that stuff,” he said.
Lineup clarity
Even though Alfonso Soriano has made multiple starts in the leadoff spot this spring, manager Dale Sveum began showing his hand regarding the Cubs’ regular-season lineup.
“I know I scared you guys a little bit by putting him in the leadoff spot,” Sveum said of Soriano. “But, yeah, he’s definitely going to be in the 3, 4 or 5 spot.”
David DeJesus will be the leadoff hitter.
Advantage, Sveum
When the Cubs and Brewers play for real this season, Sveum believes that his three years as the Brewers’ hitting coach will be a benefit.
“Of course I’m going to have an advantage,” Sveum said, “but the bottom line is the pitchers have to execute the plan.
“I mean, we all know Albert Pujols. But the execution of the plan is everything.”
