7/24 - Welcome to the Cubs, Olt & Grimm

The Cubs' Mike Olt smiles before the game against the Zephyrs.

Cubs shortstop Donnie Murphy fields and throws the ball to first for an out against the Zephyrs during the first inning.

The Zephyrs' Koyie Hill, a former Cub, bats against the Cubs during the second inning.

Cubs starter Brooks Raley delivers a pitch against the Zephyrs during the fourth inning.

Cubs center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha makes a leaping catch against the wall while right fielder Edwin Maysonet provides back-up against the Zephyrs during the fourth inning.

The Cubs' Mike Olt bats against the Zephyrs during the fourth inning.

The Cubs' Justin Grimm (right) and Mike Olt, both acquired in the Matt Garza trade, laugh in the dugout against the Zephyrs during the fifth inning.

The Cubs' Edgar Gonzalez gets hit by a pitch against the Zephyrs during the seventh inning.

The Cubs' Jae-Hoon Ha looks on at home plate as he steals third base against the Zephyrs during the seventh inning.

The Cubs' Mike Olt looks on against the Zephyrs during the eighth inning.

The Cubs' Justin Grimm, who came in as a pinch-runner, runs the bases against the Zephyrs during the ninth inning.

The Cubs' Justin Grimm, who came in as a pinch-runner, celebrates with his new teammates after scoring against the Zephyrs during the ninth inning.

The Cubs' Darnell McDonald flops over after swinging too hard against the Zephyrs during the ninth inning.

Cubs reliever Yoanner Negrin delivers a pitch against the Zephyrs during the 10th inning.

The Cubs' Mike Olt reacts after striking out for the final out against the Zephyrs during the 10th inning. The Zephyrs won, 2-1. 

7/18 - USA! USA! USA! USA Defeats Cuba, 2-1, in Game One of the Friendship Series

An United States fan looks on with the team flag hanging over the fence against Cuba before the game at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, July 18, 2013.

United States manager Jim Schlossnagle smiles with Cuba manager Victor Mesa during the pre-game introductions at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, July 18, 2013.

United States starter Carlos Rodon delivers a pitch against Cuba during the first inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, July 18, 2013.

United States'  Alex Bregman dives back into first base against Cuba during the second inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, July 18, 2013.

United States shortstop Trea Tuner chases down Cuba's Yasmani Tomás in a rundown during the third inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, July 18, 2013.

United States' Brandon Finnegan smiles in the dugout against Cuba during the third inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, July 18, 2013.

United States' Trea Turner hits a sacrifice fly to center field against Cuba during the third inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, July 18, 2013.

United States' Matt Chapman slides into home on Trea Turner's sacrifice fly against Cuba during the third inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, July 18, 2013.

United States shortstop Trea Turner fields the ball and throws to first for an out against Cuba during the ninth inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, July 18, 2013.

United States reliever Ryan Burr pitches against Cuba during the ninth inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, July 18, 2013.

United States catcher Grayson Greiner celebrates with Daniel Mengden after throwing out a Cuba baserunner at second base for the final out of the 10th inning at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, July 18, 2013.

United States' Matt Chapman hits a two-out, walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 11th inning against Cuba to win the game, 2-1, at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, July 18, 2013.

United States' Matt Chapman is mobbed by teammate Daniel Mengden after Chapman hit a two-out, walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 11th inning against Cuba to win the game, 2-1, at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, July 18, 2013.

The United States celebrate their 2-1 victory over Cuba after the game at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, July 18, 2013.

United States' Matt Chapman interviews with Des Moines Register reporter Tommy Birch after the game against Cuba at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, July 18, 2013. Chapman hit a two-out, walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 11th inning to win the game. 

7/14 - Iowa Cubs, Jake Arrieta

I didn't shoot much today because I had to leave early to work for MLB.com, but here's what I got from today's game. Jake Arrieta looked good, and we were graced with one of the most amazing mustaches in all of baseball.

Cubs catcher Chad Noble, with the mustache, smiles with a teammate before the game. 

Cubs starter Jake Arrieta delivers in the first inning. 

An old friend of the Cubs, the Isotopes' Ian Stewart, looks on from third base. 

Cubs starter Jake Arrieta pitches against the Isotopes in the second inning. 

Cubs right fielder Danrell McDonald makes a catch in the second inning. 

The Cubs' Junior Lakes hits in the second inning. 

Cubs shortstop Donnie Murphy receives the throw as the Isotopes' Alex Castellanos steals second base.  

The Cubs' Jae-Hoon Ha swings in the fifth inning. 

7/11 - Spike's Big Birthday Adventures!

Spike just had his real birthday last weekend on July 7th, turning five years young! He's still a puppy at heart and full of energy! For his birthday, we decided to take him out around the town and let him run free!

Come on, Dylan, let's play! Let's play!!

It's my birthday! It's my birthday! 

Oh, hai there. 

Derp.

I'm just chilling in my mom's Garden Jungle in my backyard. 

This dog park isn't so bad. Would be nice to have other dogs there, but still had fun here! 

My master giving me some loving. I have to love her back because she feeds me anyway. 

Finishing my birthday adventures with a nice, cold ice cream from my favorite place, Snookies! 

7/3 - Brock Solid

A couple years ago when I was shooting for the Rochester Red Wings, I first started up this whole blog/website thing I have going on here. After working four years for the Iowa Cubs as an awkward teenager, I got a job with the Rochester Red Wings as their team photographer.

Obviously, I’ve been around baseball for long enough to start “knowing” some of the players. Some of them stayed with the Cubs. Some of them got promoted/demoted. Some of them latched onto other teams. During the first half of the 2010 season, I saw some former Iowa Cubs passing through Rochester, such as Rich Hill, Eric Patterson and Buck Coats.

It’s always great to see some old faces in new places. Doesn’t matter where they’re playing, as long as they’re in baseball, it’s still great. They’re just doing what they love to do.

I never thought that nearly four years later, I would be doing the same thing for the Red Wings.

Just today, I saw an old friend from the Red Wings, Brock Peterson, who’s now with the Memphis Red Wings birds. After his time in Rochester, he spent a couple years in an independent league, playing for the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League. He signed on with the Cardinals last season.

And now…Peterson is having an awesome season with the Redbirds, as he just got named to the PCL All-Star team. So far this season, he’s batting .315 with 20 home runs, which leads the entire Pacific Coast League! The second-place guy only has 16.

He’s just a great all-around guy and it’s good to see him again.