A Couple Cubs Considered for Person of the Year and Other Bullets

Jan 02, 2016

I know folks were generally not enjoying the non-competitive bowls yesterday, but I sure did like seeing Michigan stomp Florida in the Citrus Bowl. The evolution of Jake Ruddock as a quarterback over the course of the season was really incredible (and he managed to become only the second QB in school history to go over 3,000 passing yards (John Navarre) in a season, despite not exactly leading a pass-first attack). Who starts there for the Wolverines next year is a bit of an open question, but I like the odds of Jim Harbaugh and staff being able to mold another quality arm.

ESPN put together a “person of the year” thing in Major League Baseball, and Bryce Harper got the nod. Sounds like a good selection to me, though many will probably point to others who were more visible over the course of 2015. The thing is, Harper – who is plenty visible, even when being choked – just had one of the most incredible years in baseball history, and he did it as a 22-year-old. As Jayson Stark points out in the article, the last two players to lead baseball in OBP and SLG at Harper’s age were Ty Cobb and Stan Musial. It was a Barry Bonds season in a non-PED era, and he rightfully was recognized for it.

That said, not everyone at ESPN agreed, and there is an interesting read from Christina Kahrl on Jake Arrieta as the person of the year in baseball (he finished third in the voting). Given Arrieta’s incredible season and incredible rise (though that started in 2014, a breakout season that many seem to forget, thanks to the new heights he reached in 2015), I can definitely see the argument that he was the best story of the year in baseball. Pair it with the Cubs’ overall story, and if you wanted to call Arrieta the person of the year in baseball, you’d get no argument from me. Let’s not forget, like Harper, Arrieta did some historically unbelievable things in 2015, too.

[adinserter block=”1″]

Finished just ahead of Arrieta in the voting, and just behind Harper, was another Cub: Joe Maddon. Buster Olney lays out the case for Maddon as the person of the year in baseball here.

It’s been a while since we’ve had a major Tommy John surgery case to follow as Cubs fans (KNOCK ON WOOD!), but I still find almost all TJS studies worth reading, because the information and misinformation about the process is fascinating to me. This read from Owen Watson looks at the projections for various TJS recoverees that are due back in 2016, and reminds you of this: “On average, pitchers don’t gain velocity, don’t improve performance compared to their pre-injury numbers, and they’re more likely to go on the disabled list with an injury to their throwing arm than a pitcher that didn’t have surgery. While there is some evidence that TJ surgery might allow pitchers to not suffer as much age-related depreciation as those that have their original ligament, it’s clear that this is a major surgery, and not something to be taken for granted.” If I were going to get one series of statements about a baseball surgery tattooed to my chest for some reason, it would probably be this series.

A Kosuke Fukudome Cubs action figure/statue at Amazon? Ok. Sure. It comes with a free digital copy of ‘Kung Fu Panda’, which is … odd.

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 3, Cubs 2 – May 19, 2024

The brutal, brutal run for the Chicago Cubs' offense continued today. It's really hard to win that way, and even harder to watch. Jameson Taillon was a touch better than his line today, without a lot of defensive help behind...

Brett Taylor

May 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Pirates at Cubs (1:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — Well, the good news is that the Cubs have an off-day tomorrow and Dansby Swanson is targeting a Tuesday return from the IL. So no matter what, this SHOULD be the last day the Cubs middle infield...

Michael Cerami

May 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enjoying the Actual Walk-Off, Morel History, Leiter and Neris, Holy Brennen Davis, and Other Cubs Bullets

Despite everything, the Cubs are still three games up for the second Wild Card spot at the moment (and two games back in the NL Central). That's not a going-forward projection, it's just some context. The drama around the call...

Brett Taylor

May 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Pirates Can Be As Mad As They Like, But That Call Was Correct

If I were a catcher and wanted to record an out, I would simply not drop the ball. It's a jokey line, sure, but it's also correct in relation to yesterday's controversial conclusion. I think after seeing the replays of...

Brett Taylor

May 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Wake Up and Watch Shota Imanaga Dominate and the Cubs Walk It Off

The Cubs pulled out a win in the bottom of the 9th yesterday, when Christopher Morel drove in Cody Bellinger to walk it off. The Pirates were undoubtedly displeased about the controversial ending, as it looked like Bellinger had been...

Brett Taylor

May 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs Walk It Off on a Weird Play at the Plate!

Whew. That game was kinda dumb, but I tell you, the ending sure was fun. And also weird! So, to set the stage, the Pirates and Cubs' offenses could do nothing all day long. The game was still 0-0 in...

Brett Taylor

May 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Brennen Davis FREAKING DID IT AGAIN! AND THEN HE DID IT AGAIN AFTER THAT!

This guy. What do I even say? I was already kinda buzzy when Brennen Davis homered again - a grand slam - for the fifth time in six games, and sixth time in eight games. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. https://twitter.com/IowaCubs/status/1791967453888598441 Truly...

Brett Taylor

May 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 1, Pirates 0 – May 18, 2024

What matters most is that the Cubs won the game. And it was a fun ending, too. So I'm happy. But I also do feel a little frustrated - or concerned might be the better word - as I'm sure...

Brett Taylor

May 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Pirates at Cubs (1:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — Losing to the Braves (and then Jared Jones and Paul Skenes), when you have 10 people on the IL, including your entire middle infield, is not really that concerning to me. It sucks and banking losses is...

Michael Cerami

May 18, 2024

Chicago Cubs

REPORT: Cubs Trade Richard Lovelady to the Rays

When the Chicago Cubs traded Jake Slaughter to the Seattle Mariners for reliever Tyson Miller, they needed to open a spot on both the active roster and the 40-man roster. They did that in one move by designating reliever Richard...

Michael Cerami

May 18, 2024

Picks

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Chicago White Sox Series May 20-22: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

In the opener of a three-game series, on Monday, May 20 at 3:07 PM ET, the Toronto Blue Jays will host the Chicago White Sox.Blue Jays vs. White Sox Series Info White Sox @ Blue Jays Time: Monday, May 20...

Data Skrive

May 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 3, Cubs 2 – May 19, 2024

Brett Taylor

May 19, 2024

News

2024 Preakness Results: Winner, Finishing Times, and Betting Payouts

The Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown, never fails to deliver excitement and drama. The Preakness results are always sought after when the race is over, especially for matchup bettors who need the full picture. This year...

Andy Molitor

May 19, 2024

News

2024 PGA Championship TV Sunday Schedule: Tee Times, Channel, and Live Stream

The final round is upon us and the final tee times for the 2024 PGA Championship are set to deliver an electrifying finish at the iconic Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. As the world's best golfers vie for the...

Andy Molitor

May 19, 2024

Picks

Nikola Jokic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – Conference Semifinals Game 7, Sunday, May 19, 2024

The Denver Nuggets meet the Minnesota Timberwolves at 8:00 PM ET on Sunday, in Game 7 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires two treys from Nikola Jokic.Nikola...

Data Skrive

May 19, 2024

Picks

Michael Porter Jr. Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – Conference Semifinals Game 7, Sunday, May 19, 2024

On Sunday at 8:00 PM ET, the Denver Nuggets play the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 7 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and Michael Porter Jr.'s 3-pointer over/under for this clash requires three triples.Michael Porter Jr.'s Three-Pointer Prop...

Data Skrive

May 19, 2024

Picks

Karl-Anthony Towns Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Nuggets – Conference Semifinals Game 7, Sunday, May 19, 2024

The Minnesota Timberwolves face the Denver Nuggets on Sunday at 8:00 PM ET in Game 7 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns connects on two 3-pointers, he'll beat his prop.Karl-Anthony Towns' Three-Pointer...

Data Skrive

May 19, 2024

Picks

Jamal Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – Conference Semifinals Game 7, Sunday, May 19, 2024

Jamal Murray's Denver Nuggets meet the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday at 8:00 PM ET in Game 7 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and to beat his 3-point prop, he needs to make three from downtown.Jamal Murray's Three-Pointer...

Data Skrive

May 19, 2024

Picks

Anthony Edwards Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Nuggets – Conference Semifinals Game 7, Sunday, May 19, 2024

Anthony Edwards' Minnesota Timberwolves meet the Denver Nuggets on Sunday at 8:00 PM ET in Game 7 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and to beat his 3-point over/under, he needs to make three from beyond the arc.Anthony...

Data Skrive

May 19, 2024

Picks

Top Player Prop Bets for Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Western Conference Semifinals Game 7 on May 19, 2024

Player prop bet options for Nikola Jokic, Anthony Edwards and others are listed when the Denver Nuggets host the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena on Sunday at 8:00 PM ET.How to Watch Nuggets vs. TimberwolvesDate: Sunday, May 19, 2024Time: 8:00...

Data Skrive

May 19, 2024

A Couple Cubs Considered for Person of the Year and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular