Cubs kick off season with win over LA Angels
ANAHEIM, Calif. (WLS) -- The Chicago Cubs' 2016 season began Monday with a 9-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Pitcher Jake Arrieta picked up from where he left off last year with a two-hit shutdown in seven innings of work and the bats exploded for nine runs.
Cubs fans descended on Anaheim to watch the beginning of what they hope is a historic season.
"Once we found out they were opening in Anaheim, it's just a quick two-hour flight," said Laurie Schmase, of Chicago. "We hopped on the plane and came down."
Among the fans are Jody Isaacson and Jennifer Johnson, both of suburban Deerfield.
After a lot of bugging, Johnson gave in, Isaacson said.
"He bugged me for four months so I actually made it into a trip," Johnson said.
Grounds crews spent the day getting Angel Stadium ready for Monday night's match-up. The Cubs played an exhibition game at the stadium on Sunday, and the fans were thrilled about the new faces.
"I'm really, really excited they have (John) Lackey," said fan Becky Cozzone, who traveled from Chicago. "He started here. So that's why I'm so excited that they are starting here with him and I'm really hoping this is going to be our year."
Meanwhile, fans in Chicago saw snow flurries falling on Monday.
"When I'm standing in 75-degree weather of course I'm going to say, 'Yeah I prefer the snow,'" Schmase said.
MEANWHILE AT WRIGLEY FIELD
Is Wrigley Field ready for Opening Day?
The Cubs' first game at Wrigley Field will be in one week, but the stadium still looks like a construction site.
On Monday, crews battled snow and wind to complete the stadium's restoration by Opening Day. Tarps and scaffolding were still up and the entrance was blocked with a chain linked fence.
How will those doors open in time?
"I have no idea how it's going to be ready in time," said Holly Krawza, a Cubs fan who lives nearby.
Most noticeably is that the marquee is still missing, which was a disappointment for visitors who hoped to snap a photo with the iconic Wrigley Field sign.
"This is my first time here so we were hoping to get a tour today," said Shanna Vela, who was visiting California. "And that's not going to happen."
The Cubs' public relations team promises that the marquee and the iconic statues that were removed for refurbishing will all be back by game day.
However, don't expect the new Plaza, under construction next door to Wrigley, to look anything like the renderings. Right now, the building is still a skeleton with signs that read "danger" and "no trespassing."
Also, one new feature at Wrigley will be enhanced security. Fans entering at all gates will be greeted with metal detectors.
