More Cubs-City Feuding, Schwarber as a Catcher, the Juiced Ball, and Other Bullets

Jun 16, 2017

I have been something of a beast the last couple days, dealing with site issues, and I therefore owe my family some extra attention today. So we’re gonna hit up the local amusement park for a bit this afternoon. Roller coasters and funnel cake, here I come.

The Cubs’ ongoing dispute with the City about security around Wrigley Field and the Cubs’ preference to have Addison and Clark closed on game days has now pulled in local alderman Tom Tunney. Per the Sun-Times, Tunney blames the Cubs (naturally) for what he sees as an unwillingness to move on these issues short of the street closures, which Tunney says will be impossible, especially with all the new development in the area.

Joe Maddon is comfortable using Kyle Schwarber behind the plate when the opportunity arises (Tribune). Schwarber hasn’t seen a ton of time back there this year (just five innings), and it remains to be seen if catching is really in his future after this season. Miguel Montero is a free agent, and your dream scenario would have Willson Contreras and Schwarber sharing time behind the plate and in left field next year, but I’m not sure that events of the year so far have really pushed the Cubs in that direction. Expecting Schwarber be the true second catcher in 2018 was always a stretch, and for now, I’d anticipate that the Cubs will be in the market for a veteran back-up catcher (perhaps a reunion with Montero, though his struggles throwing the ball make things tough, even as he does everything else you’d want from a backup catcher very well).

The Cubs and Pirates will honor the Negro Leagues with their uniforms today. The Pirates will be wearing the Homestead Grays uniforms, while the Cubs will be the Leland Giants.

Cubs didn’t win the game but they did break the Mets: both Neil Walker and Matt Harvey are going to be out for a while.

Michael wrote about an analysis that revealed the home run spike may be largely attributable to a change in the baseball that started in mid-2015 (the same time as the homer spike began), and Rob Arthur just released a second, different study that came to the very same conclusion. Arthur’s piece also includes comments from MLB that they believe the balls are still within the normal range, and an outside consultant determined that the current ball would not lead to increased offense. It’s a sticky situation, because it’s virtually inarguable that a boost in offense is good for the game, but MLB does not want to be seen as artificially inflating offense or turning a blind eye to juiced offense (as it did when the juicing was in the players). So why the staunch denials in the face of pretty compelling evidence that the baseball, itself, is a huge part of the home run spike?

Cubs players talk about the juiced ball theories here, with some suspecting a difference, and others skeptical.

Having been released by the Orioles, Edwin Jackson is now looking for a new home, and possibly his 14th(!) big league team. Will Leitch recounts Jackson’s time with the first 13, and when I saw the headline, I took that as a challenge to see if I could name all 13 without looking. I got 10, including the Orioles, so I felt pretty good about that.

The Cubs’ players as fathers:

I learned so much from talking to Cubs and White Sox dads — like how John Lackey watches Dora the Explorer. https://t.co/JndEi7zfkN
— Maggie Hendricks (@maggiehendricks) June 14, 2017

The Wife (a teacher) will kill me for mentioning this, but I can’t not. It exists:

Oh my. It exists: https://t.co/lHkEvU1q16 pic.twitter.com/ueCArZdu2p

— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) June 16, 2017

They clinched a playoff spot already this week (by virtue of winning their division in the first half), and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans are on fire:

https://twitter.com/Pelicanbaseball/status/875542563188617217

LOL:

I love this shirt, and there are many more still on sale at the MLB Shop and Fanatics:

I gotta say, I love this shirt. 25% off at the MLB Shop, too. https://t.co/GqE6F3PpLA pic.twitter.com/RVOdhJnt99

— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) June 16, 2017

As an unapologetic lover of all things Apple, typing this on my Macbook, I am happy to pass on that Amazon’s Deal of the Day is certified refurbished Macbooks for cheap!

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

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Braves (6:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — The Atlanta Braves are one of, if not the toughest opponent the Cubs will face this season. But Seiya Suzuki is back, Cody Bellinger is back, and Shota Imanaga is on the mound. This Cubs team is...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Move: Alzolay to the IL, Cuas Returns (UPDATE)

It felt like this situation with Adbert Alzolay could not go on much longer, and it has now resolved itself with an Injured List move. Today, the Cubs placed Alzolay on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. Jose...

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLB Has a New Streaming Home For Its ‘Sunday Leadoff’ Games

Fans can now watch MLB games via Roku. Do with that what you will. The "MLB Sunday Leadoff" games will begin this weekend. The first game, featuring the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, starts at 12:05 p.m. CT,...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Let’s See How They Measure Up in Atlanta: Cubs vs Braves Series Preview

Cubs vs Braves — Six of the Cubs next ten games come against the Atlanta Braves, and the first three are on the road starting tonight. And while the Cubs did recently get Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger, and Justin Steele...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLB Pipeline Added Two MORE Cubs to Their Top-100

Over the weekend, MLB Pipeline updated their top-100 MLB Prospect Rankings, with eight new players making the list after graduations and other considerations. And TWO of those players, Moises Ballesteros and Jefferson Rojas, are Chicago Cubs prospects. All together, that...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

For the Second Time in a Few Days, Birthday Boy Nico Hoerner Saved the Game

A happy 27th birthday to Chicago Cubs second baseman, and fill-in shortstop, Nico Hoerner. He is currently hitting a career-best .275/.364/.399/122 wRC+, and walking more often (9.7%) than he's striking out (9.1%). He has been absolutely scorching over the past...

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Padres Best the Dodgers, Skenes Debut Reactions, Guardians New Threads, More

The Dodgers have a comfortable lead in the NL West, but the Padres are proving to themselves that they can make this a two-horse race. Plus, reactions from Paul Skenes' major league debut and more in today's MLB Notes. Padres...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

David Peralta Has Opted Out of His Minor League Deal with the Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have had veteran outfielder David Peralta around as emergency depth going back to Spring Training, when he was working his way back from offseason arm surgery. But he might now be heading off to join another organization....

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | May 13, 2024: Homers by Davis, Mervis Not Enough in Iowa on Sunday

Brennen Davis and Matt Mervis hit home runs on Sunday for the Iowa Cubs, but it wasn't enough to earn the team a victory against the Columbus Clippers. That and more are in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

How I Feel About Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs Rotation Plans After Yesterday’s Start

Yesterday, the Chicago Cubs won a game started by Kyle Hendricks and closed by Adbert Alzolay. Factually, that is what happened. I know. That's wild. Of course, that's what would've been the expected outcome last season for two of the...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

MLB

How to Watch Twins Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

Target Field is buzzing with anticipation as the Minnesota Twins heat up for the remainder of their 2024 MLB Schedule. We’re here to make sure you don’t miss any of the action. Let’s take a look at the Minnesota Twins'...

Brian Twining

May 13, 2024

MLB

How to Watch Brewers Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

Summer in Milwaukee sizzles with baseball fever, and American Family Field is roaring with the energy of the Brewers faithful! Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Brew Crew or just enjoy catching some local baseball, we’re here with the...

Brian Twining

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

Jared Goff Becomes the Highest-Paid Lion Ever!

The Detroit Lions have been busy in recent weeks securing their core after a run to the NFC title game last season. Jared Goff became the latest player to get a new deal in Detroit, and he became the highest-paid...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLB Has a New Streaming Home For Its ‘Sunday Leadoff’ Games

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Move: Alzolay to the IL, Cuas Returns (UPDATE)

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Braves (6:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

News

Where is the 2024 PGA Championship? Valhalla Golf Club Course Details

The PGA Championship, which is the second major of the 2024 calendar, will hold its 106th edition at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, from May 16-19. The course was designed by the all-time major champion, Jack Nicklaus, and is ranked as the top course...

Ryan Noonan

May 13, 2024

MLB

How to Watch Marlins Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

The South Florida sun is shining, and there’s plenty of baseball still to be played at loanDepot Park. Whether you're cheering the Marlins on from the stands or following the action remotely, they have a loaded remaining 2024 MLB schedule....

Brian Twining

May 13, 2024

News

All-Time PGA Championship Winners

The PGA Championship is one of four major championships on the men's professional golf calendar, alongside the Masters, U.S. Open, and Open Championship. Since its inception in 1916, the PGA Championship has been held every year, with the exception of...

Ryan Noonan

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

Antoine Winfield Jr Signs Record-Breaking Extension

The Buccaneers have made Antoine Winfield Jr the highest-paid defensive back in the history of the NFL. On Monday afternoon, Winfield Jr and Tampa Bay agreed to a four-year, $84.1 million deal. It also guarantees the Bucs' star $45 million....

Matt Rooney

May 13, 2024

More Cubs-City Feuding, Schwarber as a Catcher, the Juiced Ball, and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular