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Baseball is back, baby!
The defending World Series champions began their spring training schedule on Saturday, with two split-squad games against the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants. Just like last year, the Chicago Cubs are on their way to setting an attendance record in the Cactus League. The game against Oakland was a sellout at Sloan Park and despite the calendar reading Feb. 25, players felt like they were in a regular-season game because of the atmosphere.
This was certainly a reason why Cubs fans were especially pumped up for the first spring training game.
A little extra motivation as we begin 2017. pic.twitter.com/d3EKg8M75P
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 25, 2017
Follow our new Twitter account for real-time updates and in-depth analysis of all things Chicago Cubs.
Even before the game started, Cubs fans poured in around the park to get a glimpse of the defending World Series champions.
Quite the scene one hour prior to 1st pitch: pic.twitter.com/Kn0Jdb6ZgU
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 25, 2017
Nearly 15,000 fans filled Sloan Park on Saturday afternoon, and Mike Montgomery was definitely pumped up. The lefty is competing for the fifth spot in the rotation along with fellow left-handed pitcher Brett Anderson.
Montgomery was on the mound for the final out of the World Series in 2016, and he was the first to pitch for the Cubs in 2017. In both occasions, the crowds were great, despite one being in a spring training game.
Mike Montgomery said he had a ton of adrenaline for a spring game due to an amped up crowd.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 25, 2017
It wasn’t only Montgomery who felt the presence of the fans, as A’s pitcher Jesse Hahn echoed the same.
With packed stadium, Hahn says it felt like a major-league game, an atmosphere that's tough to find sometimes during the spring.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) February 25, 2017
Awesome stuff.
As far as the game goes, Charcer Burks, great name, hit the game-winning home run in the seventh inning for the Cubs to beat the A’s.
We can't wait for @charcerburks to check his mentions after the game.
Make it good. pic.twitter.com/VxPYG0EwEa
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 25, 2017
He also made this catch the very next inning.
Make the most of every opportunity.
🔥 @charcerburks 🔥 pic.twitter.com/iRt0IU7K9r
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 25, 2017
Baseball is back. That’s all that matters.
