Feb. 20--Jason Heyward arrived early to the Chicago Cubs' spring training facility because he said the Arizona weather was more conducive to working outside than in his native Georgia at this time of year.
Heyward also was impressed by the large number of younger players who arrived early.
"Seeing how many minor league guys are here early says a lot about the organization and about how many guys are hungry to be a part of what we have," Heyward said Friday. "It starts with them, and we have to lead them and do our thing at the top level.
"But it's awesome to see everyone here hungry, ready to start and wanting feel good for themselves and for the group knowing we have something to be done.''
Manager Joe Maddon, however, tempered much of the hoopla over players reporting early to spring training.
"I just don't want anybody to tell me spring training is too long," Maddon said. "They just made it longer.
"Seriously, everyone is always saying spring training is too long, and then they show up two weeks early. I don't get it. It's incredible. There's plenty of time."
The Cubs won't hold their first workout for pitchers and catchers until Saturday. Their first full-squad workout will be conducted on Wednesday.
After the Arizona portion of spring training is completed, the Cubs will play two exhibition games in Las Vegas against the New York Mets on March 31-April 1, followed by an exhibition game against the Angels in Anaheim, Calif. on April 3 before opening the regular season the following night against the Angels and eventually returning to Arizona for a four-game series against the Diamondbacks on April 7-10 before playing their home opener against the Cincinnati Reds on April 11.
"One of the parts of my message to the coaching staff was we do have time to not rush anybody," Maddon said. "The two biggest things is that we're ready on the first day and that nobody is injured. Those are the two things you try to accomplish in spring training.
"Get everybody ready. Whether it's your swing, leg, throwing ability, fielding, get to that opening day and feel good. Spring training is long enough. All this other stuff is way over exaggerated , all this extra work that occurs. I like the eagerness of wanting to be here. If you are a Cub and have this facility to gravitate this time of year, you'll definitely try to get here sooner.
"I'm not an advocate of guys showing up early."
Maddon said he has been reading reports and looking at photographs of his players working out in his recreational vehicle currently parked in Mesa.
"Come out and get some running in, talk to the dudes, and get acclimated," Maddon said. "But it's all overkill as far as I'm concerned. There's plenty of time to get it done.
"But I don't want anybody tell me spring training is too long now, because we made it longer."
