Chicago Cubs Baseball

Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella might want to rethink his spring training regimen for 2009.

In addition to revisiting the usual rudimentary skills - pitching, catching, hitting, Piniella also might throw in a course on self defense. Cubs’ rookie pitcher Jose Ascanio could have used it Saturday night.

According to reports, Ascanio was accosted at a Scottsdale convenience store by a would-be mugger. The assault occurred when Ascanio told the man he didn’t have any money.

“He got punched a few times by a guy who was looking for some money,” Piniella said.

The punch-out left the Cubs rookie with a closed left eye and some swelling on the left side of his face. He visited the hospital Saturday night, but was released and expected to return to full duty today.

Ascanio was acquired by the Chicago Cubs this past off season from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Will (Bad) Ohman.

“He’s going to be fine,” Piniella said. “He just got hit a few times.”

Hopefully, that’s the last time this season Piniella will utter that phrase about Ascanio - on or off the field.

As a side note, the would-be mugger escaped the scene with a unanimous decision.

Pie Developing a Taste

Through the first week of spring training, Piniella has been impressed with the play of Cubs’ center field candidate Felix Pie. According to Piniella, Pie has cut down on his swing and is showing signs of being able to use the entire field to his benefit.

Pie struggled at the plate in 2007 after a blistering June call up. He finished with a .215 average in 177 plate appearances.

”He says he likes the food in the big leagues a lot more than he does in AAA,” Piniella said.

Now if Pie can only develop a taste for big league pitching.