NEWSLETTER
Sometimes I randomly sing around the house. Actually, I think I do it a lot. Real songs, made up songs, things I’m doing, whatever. Can’t help it. I think the family is finally starting to get sick of it …
• Testing delays hit the Cubs again yesterday (reportedly still all negatives), which meant that upwards of six players were unable to participate in the afternoon intrasquad game. It was just the latest reminder in a string of constant reminders that these delays keep happening, and they not only expose players to a slightly higher risk of transmission among teammates and personnel, but they also will put teams in absurd positions in having to choose between an abundance of caution and competitive balance. Worse, the delays sew doubt in the minds of the very players you need to support to make this process work.
• As Anthony Rizzo put it (NBCSC): “We didn’t sign up for these bad protocols as far as testing. The biggest thing for us is the safety. Listen, we are in a pandemic. We are all at risk. We all want to play baseball because that’s what we love to do, and we have an opportunity to bring joy to a lot of people that are home, through these tough times. But we are all human. If guys start testing positive left and right and this gets out of control, I’m sure you’ll see some guys opt out.” If confidence in the safety of the players and personnel takes a big enough hit, you will see more players pass on playing, and then the whole thing falls apart. We’re two weeks into camp, and it’s clear to me that there are still going to be issues that extend into the season. This isn’t just going to magically go from constant issues to no issues at all in the span of a week. The question is whether it will stay this bad, and how teams will manage if it does.
• For his part, David Ross is still trying to keep a level head (Cubs.com): “We’ve got to support MLB. In such a unique environment, this is not easy. I think I’ve said that a million times. It’s not easy on the players; it’s not easy on Major League Baseball. I don’t think it’s anybody’s fault that things are delayed. If you want to point fingers, we’re focusing on the wrong task. We’ve got to focus on, as the Chicago Cubs, doing the best work we can when we’re on that field and controlling what we can control. And testing’s not in our control. So to be frustrated is just a waste of energy for me.” He’s no doubt right, in terms of what he needs to focus on, but at the same time, I don’t know how you could not be incredibly frustrated, especially knowing that soon, this is going to impact wins and losses, health and safety, and road travel.
• Both Rizzo and Ross expressed optimism that things will be improved for the season, but I guess we’ll see. It’s eight days away.
• Highlights from yesterday’s intrasquad:
The Cubs hit 3 homers in Wednesday's intrasquad scrimmage.
More: https://t.co/USD8I3L4y3 pic.twitter.com/e5rvb5gsMW
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 16, 2020
• I chuckled:
We now present a lesson in COVID-19 prevention from Javy Baez: pic.twitter.com/YRREAPedNT
— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) July 16, 2020
• If you missed it last night, the Cubs signed back-up-back-up catcher Jose Lobaton to a minor league deal, almost certainly enticing him with ice cream.
• From the world of the Bulls and Bears:
Jerry Reinsdorf Says He’s Losing a Lot of Money Right Nowhttps://t.co/UmDSlQXzpj
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) July 15, 2020
Allen Robinson Is Not “Anticipating Hearing Anything” from the Bears on a Potential Extensionhttps://t.co/YqHwO1XLp6
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) July 15, 2020
• A massive Twitter hack yesterday left a lot of us unable to tweet for several hours (THE HORROR!), so I was going back through some of my old tweets to look for contextually appropriate jokes to retweet (I am a loser). In that process, I came back across a video I really enjoyed from just about a year ago. Enjoy the hot sports content:
Can't lie – this is surprisingly enjoyable and intense. pic.twitter.com/nKX0eq0xn7
— Brett Taylor (@Brett_A_Taylor) July 10, 2019
