Fox Sports Net Announces 2000 Cubs Schedule

(CHICAGO)
– The Chicago Cubs mark their second season on FOX Sports Net in a big way with the first six games of the regular season – featuring both games of Major League Baseball’s season opening series pitting the Cubs against the National League Wild Card champion New York Mets live from Tokyo, Japan (March 29, 30), plus – a three-game series against home run king Mark McGwire and the St. Louis Cardinals (April 3, 5, 6) and the Cubs first game against superstar Ken Griffey, Jr. and the Cincinnati Reds (April 7).

The first of 73 regular season Cubs telecasts, 16 more than last season, can be seen live on Wednesday, March 29 at 4:00 AM (7:00 PM replay) as Sammy Sosa, Mark Grace, Kerry Wood and the rest of the 2000 Cubs squad join new manager Don Baylor in Tokyo for a battle against the New York Mets. The March 30 Cubs-Mets game will also be carried live at 4:00 AM CT on FOX Sports Net with a replay at 3:00 PM.

Prior to the start of the regular season, FOX Sports Net will bring Cubs fans two spring training games from Arizona, including contests against the Colorado Rockies (Sun., Mar. 19 at 2:00 PM) and Seattle Mariners (Thu., Mar. 23 at 2:00 PM). In addition, as part of the White Sox season schedule on FSN, fans will also be able to watch the Cubs play the White Sox in pre-season action on Thursday, March 16 at 2:00 PM (a special one-hour edition of The Game Room pre-game show starts at 1:00 PM).

Also, before the regular season gets underway, FOX Sports Net will give Cubs fans an inside look at this year’s squad with the 2000 Cubs Pre-Season Special premiering Thursday, March 23 at 7:30 PM. This one-hour preview of the 2000 season includes profiles on players, analysis of off-season changes, spring training developments and interviews with a number of Cubs players and manager Don Baylor.

All season long, The Game Room, showcasing expert analysis from former major league standout Dave Otto, will air a half-hour prior to every Cubs game on FOX Sports Net. A post-game edition of The Game Room will feature live locker room interviews, post-game analysis and Don Baylor’s post-game press conference.

Chip Caray and Steve Stone will once again be the announcing tandem for all Cubs telecasts on FOX Sports Net.

“As we begin our second season of covering Chicago Cubs baseball, we’re confident Cubs fans will once again enjoy our expert coverage of their favorite team,” said James J. Corno, FOX Sports Net Chicago’s Senior Vice President/ General Manager. “Starting with the spring training games in Arizona, to the games in Tokyo against the Mets and right through the stretch-drive in September, fans will realize the most comprehensive coverage of the Cubs can be found right here on FOX Sports Net.”

Cubs fans will be treated to the very best match-ups on this year’s schedule, including an interleague match-up against the Chicago White Sox on Friday, July 7 at 2:20 PM from Wrigley Field (a special pre-game edition of The Game Room starts at 1:00 PM). Plus, as part of the White Sox season schedule on FSN, Cub fans will also be able to watch an additional Cubs-Sox regular season battle on Sunday, June 11 at 1:00 PM (The Game Room pre-game show starts at 12:00 noon).

In addition to the two games in Tokyo, this summer’s White Sox schedule on FOX Sports Net will encompass 28 home games and 43 road contests during the regular season. Highlights include 24 match-ups against teams in the National League Central Division, with six games against the St. Louis Cardinals (Apr. 3, 5-6, Aug. 15, Sept. 4 & 22) and five games against the Cincinnati Reds (Apr. 7, Aug. 13, Sept. 11-13). Plus, FOX Sports Net will also carry five Cubs contests against the National League Champion Atlanta Braves (Apr. 12-13, May 31, June 21-22) and two more games against the New York Mets (Apr. 21 & June 14).

Additional highlights include 39 night games, 34 day contests, plus – FOX Sports Net will also provide Sox fans with a number of games against the NL’s elite including the NL West champion Arizona Diamondbacks (Apr. 28, June 5 & 7, Aug. 19), along with additional interleague match-ups against the AL Central’s Detroit Tigers (June 4), Minnesota Twins (July 13 & 15) and Kansas City Royals (July 17-18).

Eleven regular season Cubs games on FOX Sports Net are currently scheduled to be telecast on FOX Sports Net PLUS (see attached schedule). FOX Sports Net PLUS (FSN+) telecasts are provided to FOX Sports Net affiliates and distributed to viewers when two live events are scheduled simultaneously.

Through a cooperative agreement with CLTV, inner market cable operators are given the opportunity to place FSN+ games on CLTV. Cable operators who do not carry CLTV will place FSN+ telecasts on a to-be-determined channel. FSN viewers can call the 24-hour, toll-free 1-877-655-PLUS customer service line for FSN+ channel locations in their area.

FOX SPORTS NET CHICAGO

Spring Training Schedule