Morning Marquee: Chicago Cubs shave their heads bald to support cancer research

For the second consecutive year, Joe Maddon and the Chicago Cubs came together in honor of cancer research by shaving each and every one of their heads bald. It made it’s way around the roster even bench coach Dave Martinez sat down in a chair next to his long-time co-worker.

If you haven’t heard of this before, Chicago’s National League Manager of the Year is the one who brought this idea to life. Maddon dubbed what will be an annual event ‘Respect Bald’ which just so happens to have its own t-shirt that features the Chicago Cub logo with what appears to be a small patch of hair missing from its head.

Aside from those who represent this wonderful organization, a select number of fans who wished to participate in this great cause for pediatric cancer research were able to do so by donating $100 as stated on the website. That’s one expensive haircut but definitely worth it in the end.

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And for those who are or were unable to attend the event just to watch, there’s a donation link available at the bottom of the page. After all, this was said and done, the Cubs prepared themselves for their third Cactus League game of the young season.

Rolling into town would be Joey Votto and the Cincinnati Reds — a team who made a huge trade over the offseason. In fact, they dealt hard-throwing right-hander Aroldis Chapman to the same team who acquired infielder Starlin Castro – the New York Yankees.

With both teams failing to score a run over the first two innings of play, the Reds managed to strike during the top of the third inning on a two-run homer off the bat of Tucker Barnhart. They would later extend their lead back up to two runs on a solo bomb courtesy of 23-year-old outfield prospect Phillip Ervin just three innings later.

Shortly after Ervin rounded the bases, veteran catcher Miguel Montero brought his team within a run by taking 29-year-old right-hander A.J. Morris deep with only one out.

Montero has been swinging a hot bat for the North Siders so far this spring as he’s currently 5-for-5 with two runs scored and his only RBI coming via his first exhibition homer.

Next up, the Cubs will travel to Salt River Field to take on the Arizona Cardinals. The man who was acquired for Castro, Adam Warren, will be picking up the start for the North Siders opposite Patrick Corbin.