Why Yanks Are Facing The Cubs For Two

Prince Hal wanted to share a moment with Sweet Lou. Via the Chicago Tribune -

The Cubs typically end their spring schedule with a short trip to Las Vegas for a couple of exhibitions, but the lure of playing the Yankees in the first game of the $1.5 billion stadium was too much for Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney to pass up.

It wasn’t a move made for financial reasons, although the Cubs will do fine with their share of the revenues for two sold-out games. In truth, the Cubs consider themselves peers of the Yankees when it comes to a national following, despite the fact they are polar opposites when it comes to winning championships.

The Yankees could have chosen any team to be their first opponent, but Yankees general partner Hal Steinbrenner wanted Piniella to be part of the opening festivities, so the Cubs were his first choice.

Steinbrenner has told close friends he plans on hiring him as a consultant when Piniella’s managerial contract with the Cubs runs out after the 2010 season.

Filed under Yankee Stadium ·  Print This Post ·  Email This Post