He also has a four-seam fastball in the 93-to-95 mile per hour range, although it touches higher than that. Ben Brown. Stream Oakland Athletics vs. Chicago Cubs on Watch ESPN. Things are different this spring. Before making it to Des Moines, the system includes stops in South Carolina, Indiana and Tennessee. To say he was excited to throw on his lanyard and ball cap again would be an understatement. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). As befits a downtown facility, there are plenty of places to eat and drink before and after a game. But Amaya hasnt played much since then. In his good starts, Brown can paint the corners with his fastball at will and he gets a lot of swings and misses with fastballs up in the zone. Ive got all these great people who work here.. The ushers were without a hobby thats near and dear to their hearts. After 76 games with the minor league Iowa Cubs, Murton was released on November 7, 2016. That said, the front office and coaching staff will tell you that's a great problem to have if he forces their hand. Wicks needs to improve the consistency of both pitches. The Dodgers might've already fixed his swing in MLB spring training. to become a part of Diamond Baseball Holdings, a subsidiary of Endeavor. To get ready for (opening day), I didnt really have to do anything. Finally healthy in 2022, Brown started the season at High-A Jersey Shore and dominated. Positioned on the first-base line, Jeff Law also makes it a priority to enrich the fan experience, particularly that of the children. If you want any evidence that the Cubs' front office has been having some success targeting pitching, there are three potential starters among these five prospects. pic.twitter.com/feAiYQNS2n. Disability Customer Support . But there were no business cards in the envelopes that he handed out. Its time to temper expectations a little here. The owner of the Iowa Cubs gave employees $2,000 for every year they had been with the minor league baseball team, for a total of $600,000. Other times hes just missing off the plate with the fastball or he cant locate his breaking pitches where he wants them. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Skip to main content.us. Iowa Cubs outfielder Ian Miller preparing for a life after baseball, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The I-Cubs encourage fans to bike to the ballpark as well; Gate D, on the home-plate side of the ballpark, has space for cyclists to park their rides. The seating bowl, bisected by a concourse walkway, runs from foul pole to foul pole. The new facility retained the Sec Taylor name through 2003, continuing to honor the longtime sports editor of the Des Moines Register. I probably dont need to say much about Wesneski because most of you are already familiar with him from his performance in September. This little nugget is over a week old by now, but its been a little hectic around these parts and the news sort of fell between the cracks at the time. She has a connection with almost every fan she meets, even the ones who attend sparingly. When its on, Brown can either drop the pitch into the zone for a strike or into the dirt in an attempt at getting the hitter to chase. AA Tennessee SmokiesMiguel Amaya (#1) 2-run212! Wicks also has a mid-80s slider and an upper-80s cutter that both show some promise. Amaya did not just sit around and rehab while he was down with an arm injury. Drew Smyly, and 5. DOB: 12/13/03. I dont want to give the impression that Brown struggles with control. Kim Reynolds (R), according to The Des Moines Register, citing an . But a local in the know says that the quality of its ice cream always makes it worth the visit. So as long as he hasnt gone backwards defensively, he should be close to making his major league debut. 2023 Field Staff | Cubs The Official Site of Minor League Baseball web site includes features, news, rosters, statistics, schedules, teams, live game radio broadcasts, and video clips. Sports. Based on numbers from Spotrac, which is a great source of salary data in all the major sports, the Cubs were $178.6M against the CBT (luxury tax) last year, which was 13th in baseball. His arm is plus and fits in at either shortstop or third. Last month, however, the Cubs announced that the team had entered into an agreement to become a part of Diamond Baseball Holdings, a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment company based in Beverly Hills, Calif. He shows good skills, but he struggled to adjust to better breaking pitches. If it wasnt, hed be ranked higher. They are located in Des Moines, Iowa, and are named for their Major League Baseball (MLB) affiliate. Im a big baseball fan, and its not the same sitting at home all the time watching on TV with cardboard people in the stands, Iowa Cubs 10 Millionth Fan and Society for American Baseball Research member Steve Elsberry said. The Official Site of Minor League Baseball web site includes features, news, rosters, statistics, schedules, teams, live game radio broadcasts, and video clips. Trade with Yankees, 2022. Wesneski made his major-league debut on September 6. All Rights Reserved. He may not make his major league debut until 2027. The Iowa Cubs name was adopted in 1982 and, more than 40 years later, it remains. A trip back to the minors will only happen if theres a serious roster crunch. The Oaks/Cubs played in the American Association from 1969-97, switching to the Pacific Coast League in 1998 following the AA's dissolution. The most gratifying part of my job is watching the smiling faces of families as they come into the ballpark, Bernabe said. Passionate regulars like Elsberry are the reason for the Iowa Cubs dedication to the fan experience. Team Owner Surprises Workers With 'Life-Changing Gesture' After Sale The owner of the Iowa Cubs gave employees $2,000 for every year they had been with the minor league baseball team, for a. Fans can obtain fair fare all season long at the State Fair Snack Stand, which serves up specialties like hand-dipped corn dogs and pulled pork grilled cheese sandwiches. Not in three years, but now. When Amaya returned to Tennessee in July, it was like he was a completely different person. More: Iowa Cubs ownership, front office tackle pandemic-related challenges as fans return to Principal Park, Shes friendly, and she keeps an eye on their seats, Bernabe said. Set: 1988 Iowa Cubs ProCards. In . Javier Baez, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo all homegrown stars and core members of the 2016 World Series team will be free agents after the 2021 season. Wicks should start the 2023 season back in Tennessee, but a mid-season (or even early-season) promotion to Iowa is likely assuming nothing goes wrong. Prange started as an usher for the Cubs the year before Carr and still makes it to every game. If its not safe and its not clean, then we dont have to worry about fun because no ones coming anyway.. He may just be fine again next year. It is now visible from the 10th row of seating and above. Heres Brown striking out nine Trash Pandas in his Cubs organizational debut. Yes. Lisa is passionate about interior design, fashion and tutoring elementary kids, while her hobbies include socializing with family and friends, yoga, dancing, biking, traveling and, of course, shopping! He talks about putting on weight. If possible, combine a trip to Principal Park with a visit to the aforementioned Iowa State Fair. SS. Three days after Christmas, Michael Gartner summoned the employees of the Iowa Cubs minor league baseball team to a staff meeting at Principal Park, the teams stadium in Des Moines. As you can see from his walk totals, he doesnt. 2023 www.desmoinesregister.com. That performance got Brown promoted to Double-A Reading, but before he could report, the Phillies dealt him to the Cubs for David Robertson. From there, it's a comparatively short drive to a trio of other MWL entities: the Quad Cities River Bandits, Peoria Chiefs and Beloit Sky Carp. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Representative, Season Ticket Service - Karry KernessSeason Ticket Holder Service Representative Ariel ConejoSeason Ticket Holder Service Representative - Regina NicholsonManager, Service Center & Tour Experiences - Evan Hill, Public Address Announcer - Jeremiah PaprockiUmpires Room Attendant - Ken CorsoBroadcaster - Ron CoomerBroadcaster - Jim DeshaiesBroadcaster - Pat HughesBroadcaster - Jon Sciambi, Senior Vice President, Marquee 360 - Cale VennumVice President, Partnership Development - Andy BlackburnVice President, Corporate Partnerships - Alex SeyferthDirector, Ticket Sales Steve Brauer, Director, Account Management - Ryan BaloghDirector, Corporate Partnership Development - Ashley FacchiniAssistant Director, Corporate Partnership Strategy - Gina SiemplenskiManager, Corporate Partnership Operations - Nick SimanSenior Account Manager, Corporate Partnerships - Andrea BurkeAccount Manager Shannon BennettAccount Manager - Jessica MalinconicoAccount Executive, Corporate Partnerships - Cody SharkoAccount Executive, Corporate Partnerships - Jake DanforthSpecialist, Partnership Development - Ben KeizerActivation Specialist, Corporate Partnerships Marisa FerraraCoordinator, Corporate Partnerships Harrison PlazaCoordinator, Corporate Partnerships Activation John Gibson, Manager, Inside Sales - Aaron KleinManager, Business Development - Katie OttolinAccount Executive, Business Development Anna FisherAccount Executive, Business Development Daniel LynchAccount Executive, Business Development Samuel MitroAccount Executive, Business Development Mark TurelliAccount Executive, Business Development Callyn VoaseGroup Sales Representative - Blake WilshireTicket Sales Representative - Megh BabikianTicket Sales Representative - Myles CephasTicket Sales Representative - Pedro InfanteTicket Sales Representative - Rebecca LekatsosTicket Sales Representative - Ariel MedinaTicket Sales Representative - Esmeralda NatividadTicket Sales Representative - Angela Veverka, Account Executive, Premier Sales Diego ChahdaAccount Executive Premier Sales - Tom FitzgeraldAccount Executive, Premier Sales - James TuckAccount Executive, Premier Sales - Mike SullivanAccount Executive, Premier Sales - Jason Aubert. Browns fastball comes in at 95-to-97 miles per hour and he locates it well. The diligence and loyalty of the Iowa organization allowed for local fans to experience something they had been missing for 20 months: watching a ballgame at Principal Park. Amaya and the Cubs went with the whole rest-and-rehab routine on the arm, but as he was ramping up to resume baseball activities in November, he had a setback and underwent Tommy John surgery. DeSantis, meanwhile, will be in Des Moines and Davenport three days earlier to attend several events, which will also include Iowa Gov. His 100 mph fastball could be his ticket back to the big leagues. Principal ParkOne Line DriveDes Moines IA 50309Phone: | 515.243.6111Fax: | 515.243.5152, Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Saturday (Game Days): 10am to end of game (March to Labor Day)Game Days: 8:30 a.m. to end of game, DBH Iowa, LLCExecutive Chairman -- Pat BattleCEO -- Peter Freund, President / General Manager -- Sam BernabeSenior VP / Chief Financial Officer -- Sue TollefsonVP / Assistant General Manager -- Randy Wehofer | 515.280.2653, Director of Video and Multimedia Arts -- Justin Walters | 515.280.2639Graphic Designer and Digital Media Manager -- Matt Evers | 515.280.2638Media Relations Manager -- Colin Connolly | 515.280.2632Director of Broadcasting / Account Executive -- Alex Cohen | 515.243.8396Director of Marketing -- Deonne Witherspoon | 515.280.2621, VP / Premium Seating / Corporate Marketing -- Brent Conkel | 515.280.2625Director of Group Outings / Senior Account Executive -- Jason Gellis | 515.280.2624Director of Ticket Operations -- Clayton Grandquist | 515.280.2644Account Executive -- John Rodgers | 515.243.8399Group Sales Account Executive -- Amanda Dale | 515.280.2640, Director of Merchandise -- Lisa Hufford | 515.280.2654Merchandise Manager -- Katelyn Kral | 515.280.2654, VP / Director of Stadium Operations -- Jeff Tilley | 515.280.2633Stadium Operations Manager -- Andrew Quillin | 515.243.6111 ext. If you like T-shirts emblazoned with all manner of snarky, self-aware pop culture, sports and politics-related slogans, then perhaps you'll agree with Raygun's humble self-assessment: "The greatest store in the universe.". Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are the property of Minor League Baseball. If you want any evidence that the Cubs front office has been having some success targeting pitching, there are three potential starters among these five prospects. The Chicago Cubs and Suzuki camps also exchanged ideas to create a better meal plan for the season. Brown reported to Tennessee instead. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. All the #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news you can use, four days a week. The Official Team Store for the Iowa Cubs. 7. My jaw dropped, said Alex Cohen, 33, who has been the teams radio broadcaster since 2018 and has worked in professional baseball since 2009. Home Clubhouse Manager - Tom HellmanHome Clubhouse and Equipment Manager - Daniel MuellerAssistant Visiting Clubhouse Manager - Gary StarkHome Clubhouse Assistant - Marco Herrera, President, Business Operations - Crane KenneyExecutive Assistant to the Chairman - Lorraine SwiatlyExecutive Assistant, President Business Operations - Ellen Byun, General Manager, Mesa Spring Training Business Operations - Justin PiperSpring Training, Director of Facility and Fields - John KnightDirector of Spring Training Ticket & Business Operations - Justin LaLoneManager, Fan Experience & Partnership Activation - Lauren ShadidSpecialist, Sloan Park Security Services Matt Smith, Executive Vice President, BusinessOperations and Chief Strategy Officer - Alex SugarmanVice President, Strategy and Development - Jason SondagSenior Director, Strategy and Analytics - Chase CarpenterDirector, Strategy and Development - Catherine McManmonAssociate, Strategy and Development - CJ RaiaFinancial Analyst Quinn RickettsAnalyst, Pricing Sakib BhuiyanSpecialist, Investor Relations & Executive Assistant - Jennifer Scarangella, Executive Vice President, CFO - Jon Greifenkamp, Assistant Director, Finance - Judd IversonManager, Risk Management - Dino StirisSenior Analyst, Financial Systems and Reporting - Neal GettlingFinancial Analyst - Vipul Thakker, Vice President & Controller - Melissa ShieldsAssistant Controller - Danielle LewisSenior Manager, Payroll - Randal ScalfManager, Account Payable - Yanira CamachoManager, Finance & Accounting - Andrea JacksonManager, Finance & Accounting - Jimmy BlodgettSenior Accountant - Elizabeth EndySenior Accountant - Nicole JonesSenior Accountant - Brandon VarbleSenior Accountant - Jackson CollisSenior Accountant - Nick PetruzziSenior Accountant - Joe ProvenzanoSenior Specialist, Accounts Payable Pinky PatelSpecialist, Accounts Receivable - Monique PhillipsAccounts Payable Coordinator - Cecilia TripoliSpecialist, Investor Relations & Executive Assistant - Jennifer Scarangella, Director, Concessions & Retail - Brad Johnson, Senior Vice President, Human Resources - Sara SchultzDirector, Talent Acquisition - Brad NagelHR Business Partner - Kyndell ColgroveHR Business Partner - Angelo VicarioHR Analytics and Compensation Analyst - Kelly GrimmSpecialist, Benefits - Becky RasorCoordinator. Sailor said he had used part of his check to give his nephew and two nieces very nice Christmas gifts this year: $2,000 checks of their own. Sport: Baseball. Item#: 552. BCB 2023 Cubs Top 25 Prospects List: 6 to 10, Cubs 4, Padres 0: The first Spring Training no-hitter in Cubs history. They are a representation of the actual card you would receive. This year the region repeats its feat of the No. 1 overall pick and it appears to be for the taking if a team offers the right . The Chicago Cubs are expanding their analytics department. It certainly was a bit of a head-scratcher when the Cubs traded promising rookie reliever Scott Efforts to the Yankees at the trade deadline, especially with Effross having five years of control left. The closest hotels are just a couple blocks from the ballpark, and there are plenty of others within a walk or short drive. we could go on and on + Monthly departmental celebrations, jeans days and clinic-wide competitions + Employee rewards and recognition program + Health and wellness program with up to $350/year in incentives + Employee feedback surveys + All employee meetings, team huddles and transparent communication They currently sit at $145.2M ($22M of which is Heyward's dead money), which is . Theres also a change up that grades out at least average. Browns height also gives a nice downward action to all of his pitches. The bonus was unexpected and just so nice., Team Owner Surprises Workers With Life-Changing Gesture After Sale, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/02/us/iowa-cubs-employee-bonus-checks.html. Law, whos been an usher for 13 seasons while practicing full-time as an accountant, picks out a kid at the beginning of games and always tries to get him or her a foul ball. Thats always been his way, as long as Ive been part of the organization.. He couldnt drive the ball in the ACL as well as some projected he would. See more Job Description Milb.com Jobs View All Jobs Iowa Cubs ownership, front office tackle pandemic Gartners commitment to his workers last year may have hurt the franchises finances at the time, but the decision paid off when the 2021 season rolled around. Classic Frozen Custard, on the Southside, is less prominent in the Des Moines dessert scene. Though fans everywhere were upset when Kris Bryant was traded to the Giants last July, it's now safe to say it was the . Iowa Cubs baseball returnedto Des Moines, 'Everybody is happy to be back at the park.' Jordan Wicks may not have the same kind of upside that some of the other starting pitchers in the top ten, but he has a much higher likelihood of reaching it. Subscribe Today for Great Content, Community, and Giveaways! 9. While other minor-league organizations scrambled to rehire and find new workers, the Cubs were fully staffed and ready to take on the challenges associated with preparing for a season amid a continuing pandemic. Starting pitching staff 1. More: Iowa Cubs outfielder Ian Miller preparing for a life after baseball. . 10. The Principal Park moniker was adopted in 2004, the result of a naming rights deal with Principal Financial Group. The May 4 season opener represented a culmination of the Cubs staffs efforts this offseason to ensure a safe return to the stadium for fans. One of them has even. Miguel Amaya. . Made up mostly of retirees, the Cubs ushers are part-time employees. Like Carr and Prange, hes happy to be reunited with fans as well as with his fellow ushers. Here is Wicks striking out 10 Peoria Chiefs last July with South Bend. Wesneskis stuff grades out to be more of a number 4 starter, but his command is good enough that it could play a little above that. I cant imagine what the last two weeks would have been like if we had been like every other minor league team or ownership that furloughed or laid off half, if not most, of the staff, Wehofer said. Instead, inside were checks worth $2,000 for every year each employee had worked for the team $600,000 in total for the 23 full-time workers. Year: 1988. Sharks In-House Recreational Program. They missed it, and theyre just happy to be back, Gartner said. Another early look at the Cubs 2023 Opening Day roster. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. He re-dedicated himself to fitness and nutrition and he got buff. DOB: 12/09/97. Interaction with people, Carr said. If he falls short of that, theres always the possibility he becomes a late-inning reliever, but that would be a disappointment at this point. Led by majority owner and chairman Michael Gartner and the Iowa Cubs front office, the organization didn't lay off or furlough a single full-time staffer during the pandemic. The Right Field Party Deck, a group area, includes a section of bleacher seating located beneath the scoreboard. Tickets for Minor League games: buy Iowa Cubs Minor League single game tickets at Ticketmaster.com. 8. He was like that friend you havent seen for three years and when he shows up, you immediately ask Dude! The Iowa Cubs purchase is one of nine initial minor league purchases for Diamond, as they announced in a press release this morning: Iowa Cubs (Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs), Memphis Redbirds (Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals), Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders (Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees), Hudson Valley The Iowa Cubs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Cristian Hernandez. Carr supervises what he calls a light traffic area behind home plate. We can even look beyond the pandemic. Iowa Cubs (Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs since 1981)Established: 1969 (as the Iowa Oaks)League: International League (since 2022)Ballpark: Principal Park (opened 1992)Championships: 1993 (in the American Association)Notable Alumni: Ryne Sandberg (manager), Tony LaRussa (player and manager), Rafael Palmeiro, Kris Bryant, Harold Baines, Greg Maddux, Goose Gossage, Jamie Moyer. They brought back nearly all of their ushers, too. B:R, T:R. 62, 175. International free agent (2021), Dominican Republic. Carr became an usher following a 40-year career in education, which culminated in a tenure as a school superintendent in Lu Verne. Preparing the stadium for Cubs baseball was difficult, but support from the top of the organization helped make it possible. After a 604-day layoff, Iowa Cubs baseball returned to Des Moines last week, thanks to the leadership of majority owner and chairman Michael Gartner and the Iowa Cubs front office. Trade with Philadelphia (2022). The team's best-case predictions this year revolve around Suzuki applying what he learned during his rookie season, accelerating that assimilation process and becoming a star at Wrigley Field. Gartners commitment to his workers last year may have hurt the franchises finances at the time, but the decision paid off when the 2021 season rolled around. Also, you can see why people are excited about that hitting stroke. If you're looking to stay at the Triple-A Level, head west toward the Omaha Storm Chasers or north to the Saint Paul Saints (and their nearby parent club, the Minnesota Twins). Employees who work in maintenance, accounting, marketing and other areas received checks for $4,000 to $70,000, said Mr. Gartner, who was the teams majority owner for 22 years, until the sale closed last Tuesday. A slew of budding baseball minds will be joining the Cubs this off-season, filling new roles opened by the front office to increase the . We lost $4 million, but they needed the money more than I did, Gartner said. You can lend a hand this holiday season by visiting. How About That! I love to watch Jordan Wicks pitch. Chicago is trying to build a lineup with a wide array of options for manager David Ross to consider, and Ros boasts the type of . He says that he relishes the spontaneity of the job, namely running into governors, pro athletes and college coaches. Wesneski is a finished product who doesnt need anymore time in the minors. Nico kicks ass AND chews bubble gum. Doug Johnson was hired as senior vice president and . On Ice Coach for Jr. We can even look beyond the pandemic. NEW YORK Major League Baseball added three executives to its new local media department as it prepares for a possible takeover of broadcasts for 17 teams amid the financial deterioration of the Bally and AT&T SportsNet regional sports networks. They may be socially distanced from other fans and masked when out of their seats, but experiencing Cubs baseball at Principal Park again represents an important step in returning to a more normal life for fans. Although Amaya still couldnt throw in 2022 as he recovered from surgery, he was playing for the Cubs Arizona Complex League team by July 1, serving as the designated hitter. A former editor of The Des Moines Register and a former president of NBC News, Mr. Gartner won a Pulitzer Prize in 1997 for editorial writing at The Daily Tribune of Ames, Iowa. They missed it, and theyre just happy to be back, Gartner said. That changeup makes hit 91-94 mile per hour four-seam fastball (which sometimes touches 96) look better. As you may have guessed, command and control are big deals for Wicks. Meet Iowa Cubs pitcher Robert Stock. He gave up five home runs with the Smokies, which is the exact same number he gave up in more than twice as many innings in High-A. Cubs 2, Angels 0: More outstanding pitching. He went 6-7 with a 3.51 ERA for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre over 19 starts in 2022 before he was traded to the Cubs on August 1. Cubs Insider Copyright 2023, All Rights Reserved, Chicago Cubs Lineup (3/3/23): Madrigal Leads Off at 2B, Mancini in RF, Steele Starting, David Ross Has Basically Named Nico Hoerner Leadoff Hitter. All Rights Reserved. If not, you have a utility player you can move around, giving the Cubs and David Ross plenty of unique lineups. Athletic Department. Shes small in stature yet commands a great presence in a section thats fittingly titled J. Prange took on the position after the death of her husband, who was an umpire at the high school and college levels. The diligence and loyalty of the Iowa organization allowed for local fans to experience something they had been missing for 20 months: watching a ballgame at Principal Park. Find game schedules and team promotions. SECN+ NCAA Softball. Wesneski has a kitchen sink full of pitches. Heres Wesneskis immaculate inning against the Pirates last September. He used to work all the Cubs games, but now he says hes at Principal Park for about half of them. "Being here is a passion and an affinity for them, Wehofer said. 2 starter for years to come. Hernandez was a raw, athletic kid last year who was adjusting both to higher quality pitching, but to a new country as well. These qualities can be rare among professional sports owners in an era where short-term results and bottom-line considerations dominate. There are games his control abandons him, but thats why hes in Double-A and not the majors. Brown was Cubs MLB hitting coach last season and Mallee from 2015-2017 Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) December 22, 2022 133. Iowa Cubs Schedule Iowa Cubs Roster 1 Line Drive Des Moines, IA 50309 515-243-6111 Capacity: 11,500 Dimensions: left field, 335 feet; center field, 400 feet; right field, 335 feet More Ballpark Guides >> Photo: Paul Gierhart Principal Park opened in 1992, built on the same site where its predecessor, Sec Taylor Stadium, had stood. Cubs front office/coaching tidbit: Greg Brown will return as special assistant to the president and GM/hitting (he'll work closely with minor-leaguers) and John Mallee will be a hitting coach at Triple-A Iowa. While his arm strength was just average, good technique gave him good times on throws to bases. Weve had above-standard health insurance and 401(k) contributions, and weve always been the organization that people looked at and said, Gee, I wish everybody did that, Mr. Wehofer said.