Chicago Cubs-Colorado Rockies notebook: Bud Black on pitching at Wrigley Field, David Bote chat

CHICAGO — Before Tuesday’s game between the Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies that was eventually postponed due to rain, Rox Pile caught up with Chicago Cubs infielder David Bote and Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black on some Coors Field and Wrigley Field perspectives.

Bote, who is a native of Longmont, Colo., which is about 35 miles north of Coors Field and graduated high school in Arvada, Colo., which is about 10 miles northwest of Coors Field, spoke with Rox Pile about his experience was when he returned to Coors Field earlier this month.

The Rockies took two of three games against the Cubs but as a Rockies fan growing up, Bote told us that he always enjoys returning home to play at Coors Field.

“I’m not too sentimental on a lot of things but like, it’s cool (to play at Coors Field),” Bote said. “I think playing in Coors Field is definitely enjoyable and playing there is always really special.”

Bote made his MLB debut with the Cubs against the Rockies at Coors Field on April 21, 2018.

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black on newcomers to Wrigley Field, personal experiences

Also, Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black spoke with the media, including Rox Pile, on Tuesday via Zoom and he was asked about his own personal experiences at the home of the Chicago Cubs: Wrigley Field.

Black, who started off as a pitcher in the American League before interleague play, did not play at Wrigley Field until his 11th MLB season when he first played in the National League with the San Francisco Giants in 1991.

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Before he pitched at Wrigley Field, Black, who is known for his razor-sharp memory, described the morning from 30 years ago when he knew he would pitch at Wrigley Field.

"“The first thing that I did when I woke up in my hotel room [which he later said he knew was The Westin], I [went] to the window, opened up the drapes, and looked out to see which way the wind was blowing,” Black said. “I think whether it’s a position player or a pitcher, I think everybody does that. I mean, we did that in my era, for sure … I couldn’t wait to pitch here (at Wrigley Field). This is … one of the older stadiums in the National League and I couldn’t wait to pitch in (the old ballparks).”"

Black also said that Wrigley Field has “such a different feel and look than most stadiums.” “TV really doesn’t do (Wrigley Field) justice, I think, because it’s a special park. It really is,” Black said.

In that game, Black gave up three home runs and, when asked later on the field, Black knew who he faced in the game and who he gave the home runs up to. He faced the future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux and he allowed two home runs to third baseman Luis Salazar and one home run to Hector Villanueva, the Cubs backup catcher. You can check out the box score of that game here.

The Rockies will wrap up their series with the Cubs in a split doubleheader on Wednesday with the first game at 12:20 PM (Mountain time) and the second game starting at 4:30 PM (Mountain time).