By Kelly Mrofcza
& Emina Cirkic
The band was ready to play and the students were ready to shout. However, it was not a typical Lane sporting event. Members of the Chicago Cubs were in Gym One.
Cub’s pitchers Randy Wells, Jeff Beliveau, and James Russell along with infielder Darwin Barney were four of the guests. Accompanying them were coaches Rudy Jaramillo and Lester Strode, as well as newly hired general manager, Jed Hoyer, and head manager, Dale Sveum. Keith Moreland, the WGN Cubs sports analyst, was the MC of the event and did his best to rile up the crowd.
The event was part of the annual Cubs Caravan, a two-day excursion of Cubs players and coaches to schools, neighborhoods and communities throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana. The caravan gives fans a chance to see players and staff in person and off the field. All members of Lane’s Letterman Club, varsity sports, and 2011 City Championship teams were invited to attend the event. A few selected varsity athletes were allowed to speak to the players, managers and coaches.
Towards the end of the event an answer was finally given to the question on everybody’s mind: will the Cubs sponsor a brand new baseball stadium by Clark Park? Indeed, the empty lot next to the football field will be transformed into a mini replica of Wrigley Field. Final details of who will own the field and when it will be built is still unknown.
Aside from the big announcement, one of the topics covered at the event was players’ nutrition. Russell talked about how important it is to eat a good breakfast and be active. Some of the foods he mentioned that professional athletes use to replace junk food include bread and chicken. He emphasized that a healthy diet keeps the players energized and fit.
When it comes to working out the Cubs also follow a disciplined regimen.
“We spend a lot of time in the gym. For pitchers we need to keep our core and abs strong,” Wells said.
The players also talked about their inspirations for becoming major leaguers.
“I watched my dad play in the major leagues and it sparked my interest,” Russell said.
Wells credits his success to his old baseball coach.
“He was the one calling the pro leagues to watch me play,” he said.
When it comes to the game, the players and coaching staff are always committed. They have plans for a successful year and are hopeful that several strides will be made toward getting the Cubs to a World Series.
It seems the team is working hard under its new leadership to create an atmosphere of youthful exuberance and an atmosphere of winning.
“Our biggest focus is to get the team younger and more multi-dimensional,” Sveum said.
Barney fits the mold of a player who is excited to be playing baseball.
“If I wasn’t in the major league today, I’d still be trying to make it. It’s all about following your dream,” Barney said.
“The day we stop getting butterflies is the day we stop playing,” Sveum said.
Along with answering questions from students, team members also asked Cubs trivia questions to the crowd. Whoever raised their hand the quickest and answered the question correctly received a Cub’s accessory like visors, hats, and t-shirts. However, the best gift Lane received that day was about the construction of the new stadium.
According to a Cubs spokesperson at the event, “A school of champions deserves to have a place to play as champions.”
