MESA, Ariz. (670 The Score) -- Reflecting on the Cubs' disappointing 2019 season, star shortstop Javier Baez on Sunday expressed the belief that he and his teammates too often weren't physically ready to play at first pitch a year ago.
"When I got to the field last year, I would do everything inside," Baez said of his hitting routine in the indoor cage instead of taking batting practice outside. "When I went outside for the game, I felt I wasn't ready. I felt like I was getting loose during the first four innings. I should have been ready and excited to get out and play before the first pitch. I promise you this year it will be like that.
"We are going to make sure everybody is outside and everyone is doing their routine and is ready for the game. I just feel a lot of players were doing the same as me. They were getting loose during the game. You can lose the game in the first inning. Sometimes when you are not ready and the other team scores on a routine play, I feel it was because we weren't ready to throw the first pitch because nobody was loose."
Baez's contention that the Cubs as a whole weren't ready for games doesn't match the statistics. The Cubs had a +23 run differential in the first inning and a +22 run differential in the second inning of games last season. Those two frames represented two of the Cubs' three most successful innings by virtue of run differential.
The Cubs went 84-78 in 2019 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014. That disappointment was followed by the ouster of manager Joe Maddon, who had a laidback approach regarding players' preparation before games, leaving much of it up to each individual.
New manager David Ross plans for the Cubs to conduct more group activities together in preparing for games, and he was glad to hear Baez's call for unity.
"They know my heart," Ross said of his new way. "They know where my head's at. What Joe created here was really healthy. This also creates a little more accountability on the player's part when you have a lot of freedom. It's nice that Javier realizes what he needs. Kudos to Javy for figuring out what needs to do, and he is making himself accountable to you guys and the fans."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
