Google Maps Took Cubs Pitcher to the Wrong Spring Training Stadium

This quick story from Spring Training illustrates how much blind faith most people put in technology circa 2015. Cubs pitcher Edwin Jackson was scheduled to start a Cactus League game against the Athletics on Tuesday. He typed in directions into Google Maps and went on his way. The problem is according to Jackson, Google churned out directions to Phoenix Municipal Stadium instead of the team’s new home, Hohokam Stadium.

From MLB.com:

"“I put in Google Maps and typed in ‘Oakland Athletics Spring Training complex,’ and it took me to the old one,” Jackson said. “I know it’s crazy, but that pretty much sums it up.”"

Jackson eventually arrived at the right stadium about 20 minutes before his scheduled start. It wasn’t a big deal and he went on to pitch in the second inning … where he allowed eight runs over an inning and change.

For what it’s worth I typed in ‘Oakland Athletics Spring Training complex’ into Google Maps on my phone and it gave me the option between Phoenix Municipal and Hohokam. This is the distance between the two parks should you care anything about greater Phoenix metropolitan area geography. The Cubs Spring Training facility is located slightly southeast of that construction icon on the 101.

At the very least it’s a good thing Jackson’s Google machine didn’t take him on a road trip to Phoenix, Oreg. or Phoenix, Mich.