A self-proclaimed “die-hard” Cubs fan Tuesday evening realized the World Baseball Classic was being played only after seeing Chicago reliever Carlos Marmol blow a save situation and — later the game — against the Netherlands who bounced Marmol’s Domincan Republic from the international exhibition tournament.
“I hadn’t even remembered that stupid tournament or whatever was going on until I flipped on ‘Sportscenter’ and saw Marmol getting knocked around and blowing the game,” said Bradley Hardgrove. “At first I thought it was a replay from any number of games from the second half of last year, but then I looked closer and saw they were playing the Netherlands of all teams.”
Hardgrove said that not only did he still not care about the WBC, but seeing Marmol pitch somewhere besides the Cubs camp this spring angered him greatly.
“Marmol belongs in spring training, where he can be giving up leads to bona fide big league teams and their minor-league affiliates,” said Hardgrove. “How else will he get ready to give up leads in the regular season when he’s in the closer’s role?”
