Theo Epstein on Player Aging Curves and Other Bullets

theo epstein press conferenceI love cinnamon apples and apple pie (aka: cinnamon apples in a crust), but cinnamon apple oatmeal is pretty meh. Like, I’ll eat it because it comes in the variety box of oatmeals I got, but I’m kinda choking it down so I can get back to the maple and brown sugar.

  • Recently, Cubs President Theo Epstein spoke with CSN New England’s Sean McAdam about a variety of topics, including Red Sox-related stuff, since it was CSNNE. You can listen to the full interview here (Epstein joins around the nine minute mark), and the CCO has a transcript here. Epstein got into a really fascinating discussion about peak ages in baseball, and how they moved much older during the steroid era because of players’ ability to extend their game physically, but, with increased/improved testing, we’re now back right around 27 as the average peak. Anecdotally, that feels right – and is a huge part of the reason we’re seeing the game get younger and younger, in terms of player debuts and emergence at the big league level – and it’s a reminder of how quickly the best window of contention can close for a team even as “young” as the Cubs.
  • [adinserter block=”1″]

  • Epstein went on to say that, to extend careers nowadays, players have to not only improve mentally – really understand the game in a way they probably didn’t when they were in their early 20s – but keep their tools working at a high level, physically. Players are just too good and too physical these days for craftiness or headiness, alone, to allow a player to keep succeeding at a high level well into their 30s. That doesn’t mean every 30+ year-old player has to be a fitness freak like Jake Arrieta, but it does mean that they’ve got to do whatever is necessary to keep their tools from eroding, physically-speaking (which might include conditioning). Interesting stuff.
  • Speaking of aging differently: remember the time Cubs slugger Glenallen Hill hit a homer ONTO a rooftop? That is right up there with Kris Bryant’s second video board shot from 2015 as my favorite non-game-changing home run (obviously many game-changing homers are higher). It’s just such a quick, strong swing, and the ball freaking explodes off his bat. Hill would later be implicated in the Mitchell Report on PED usage, and he was 35 at the time of that homer. He played just 16 games the next season with the Angels, and his career was over.
  • Jesse Rogers writes about the Cubs’ new-found starting pitching depth, and how it could lead to some decisions in the spring.
  • [adinserter block=”2″]

  • A fun read at BP on the famous Simpsons ‘Homer at the Bat’ episode, and whether manager Waylon Smithers could have chosen a better team of ringers at the time.
  • A Cubs friendship nickname generator from Cut4. I got Tayyward. That means me and Jason Heyward are officially besties.
  • Speaking of which, looking great, friend:
  • It’s also just good to see that Heyward made his way out to camp with his new club so early. We’ll probably get a steady stream of early-arriver updates in the coming days, in advance of pitchers and catchers officially reporting on February 19.
  • Daniel Murphy tried to hit the baseball after spinning around a bat to make himself dizzy. He was hilariously unsuccessful.
  • written by

    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

    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...

    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...

    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...

    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...

    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...

    Cubs Set a Target Date for Dansby Swanson’s Return, Daniel Palencia Also On His Way

    First, a quick update I kept out of the headline: Nico Hoerner is not in the Cubs lineup today, as he continues to deal with left hamstring tightness. The Cubs have now blown past the maximum IL backdate optimization, which...

    Hendricks Will Get More Chances, Many Injury Updates, A Possible New Scandal, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Sports Saturday around the Taylor household, so it's time to run all over to soccer fields and baseball fields and dance centers. First, Cubs Bullets ... Kyle Hendricks may not have made a load of terrible pitches in yesterday's game...

    Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 9, Cubs 3 – May 17, 2024

    For six hitless, profoundly dominant innings, Paul Skenes today looked like the best pitching prospect I've seen since maybe Stephen Strasburg. The other two who came to mind as I watched were Matt Harvey and Jose Fernandez. Those three, when...

    MLBits: Elly De La Cruz Continues to Electrify, Yanks Want Soto for Long Haul, More

    Elly De La Cruz continues to dazzle and the Yankees want Juan Soto in New York for the rest of his career. That and more in today's MLB Notes! Elly De La Cruz's Four Steal Night Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly...

    Cubs Farm Report | May 17, 2024: I-Cubs’ Homer Party Helps Cade Horton Get His First Triple-A Win

    The Iowa Cubs mashed four home runs and scored 10 runs, as Cade Horton made his best start at Triple-A on Thursday. That and more in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report | May 17, 2024 Triple-A Iowa Cubs...

    Latest News

    How to Watch Phillies vs. Nationals: Live Stream or on TV

    The Philadelphia Phillies (32-14), with Aaron Nola on the mound and trying to sweep the series, host the Washington Nationals (20-23) who will counter with Trevor Williams, at 1:35 PM ET on Sunday.The article below will provide you with everything...

    Orioles vs. Mariners: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Looking for a series sweep, Gunnar Henderson and the Baltimore Orioles (28-14) play the Seattle Mariners (24-21) on Sunday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, with first pitch scheduled for 1:35 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch the...

    How to Watch Guardians vs. Twins: Live Stream or on TV

    On Sunday, looking for a series sweep, Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians (28-17) face Ryan Jeffers and the Minnesota Twins (24-20), with first pitch scheduled for 1:40 PM ET at Progressive Field.Keep scrolling to find out all the details...

    Cubs vs. Pirates: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Christopher Morel and the Chicago Cubs (26-21) host Connor Joe and the Pittsburgh Pirates (21-26) on Sunday, with first pitch at 2:20 PM ET.Find out how to watch the Chicago-Pittsburgh matchup below.When is Cubs vs. Pirates and when does it...

    Knicks vs. Pacers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 7 – Sunday, May 19, 2024

    The New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers take the court in a decisive Game 7 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. The Knicks are favored by 2.5 points in the contest, which will be broadcast on ABC...

    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...

    Yankees vs. White Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Juan Soto and the New York Yankees (32-15) host the Chicago White Sox (14-32) on Sunday, with first pitch at 1:35 PM ET, and the Yankees looking for a series sweep.Keep reading to find out how to watch the New...

    Rays vs. Blue Jays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Isaac Paredes and the Tampa Bay Rays (24-22) visit Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays (19-24) at 1:37 PM ET on Sunday.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the Tampa...

    Mets vs. Marlins: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Miami Marlins (14-32), led by Bryan De La Cruz and aiming for a series sweep, host Pete Alonso and the New York Mets (20-24) at 1:40 PM ET on Sunday.The article below will provide you with everything you need...

    Giants vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The San Francisco Giants (21-25), with Jordan Hicks on the hill and aiming to sweep the series, host the Colorado Rockies (15-29) who will counter with Dakota Hudson, at 4:05 PM ET on Sunday.If you're trying to watch this game,...

    more cubs news