A Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005
It’s Fat Tuesday here at BCB After Dark: the hippest happening of night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Thank you for stopping by tonight. Here are some beads, but please keep your shirt on. The dress code is festive. We gave up on collecting the cover charge a while ago. Bring […]
30 days ago | 3 reads
Today we look at the Cubs young second baseman, who is in the utility infielder derby this spring. 23-year-old James Douglas Triantos has dealt with high expectations since he was drafted by the Cubs in the second round in 2021, and had some immediate success, hitting .327 in the Rookie League and following that up […]
about 1 month ago | 1 read
Former MLB player Tony Clark has been the head of the MLB Players Association since 2013. Today, per Evan Drellich, Ken Rosenthal and Andy McCullough at The Athletic, Clark is leaving the union: In a stunning development in the wake of a federal investigation, Tony Clark is expected to resign from his position as executive […]
about 1 month ago | 1 read
The year 2026 has two significant anniversaries for the Cubs: Both of these anniversaries will be featured in many promotional giveaways by the team, both gate giveaways and via special ticket offers, the team announced Tuesday. To celebrate the club’s 150th anniversary as a National League franchise, commemorative bobbleheads spotlighting iconic figures in Cubs history […]
about 1 month ago | 2 reads
“If you look at baseball right now, there’s a lot of really nice tailwinds. Attendance is up, ratings are up. There’s a lot of things going in the right direction. We’ve got a lot of good young stars and exciting young players, and that’s all going well. “There are some challenges. The regional sports network […]
about 1 month ago | 2 reads
It’s another week here at BCB After Dark: the coolest club for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come on in and join us. We’ve waived the cover charge. The dress code is casual. We still have a few tables available. The hostess will seat you now. Bring your own beverage. […]
about 1 month ago | 3 reads
MESA, Arizona — By the time I got to the Cubs Sloan Park complex this morning, much of the activity had slowed down for the day. However, I do have some photos and video to show you. First, though, since this was the first full squad workout day for the team, Cubs Executive Chairman Tom […]
about 1 month ago | 3 reads
Today we look at the switch-hitting prospect from Venezuela. Pedro Javier Ramirez is 21 years old and won’t be 22 until April Fool’s Day, which he will most likely spend in Iowa. He has a chance to reach The Show to start the year, but it’s a relatively small chance and he can likely use […]
about 1 month ago | 2 reads
Whether you want it or not. Whether players want it or not. A salary cap is going to be proposed by MLB owners for the next collective bargaining agreement with the MLB Players Association. The current CBA, as you know, expires on Dec. 1. There will, absolutely, positively, be a lockout on that day. You […]
about 1 month ago | 5 reads
Happy Monday, everyone. It has been a very interesting week for an old friend, as Nick Castellanos was released by the Phillies—for some potentially interesting reasons—and will move on to the Padres and a brand new position on the field. We’ve got other Phillies news, as well, with Bryce Harper being as candid as even […]
about 1 month ago | 4 reads
RIP Steve Bechler, Gary Carter, and other stories. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths. “Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly, HoF Umpire. Today in Baseball History: Cubs birthdays: Carl […]
about 1 month ago | 2 reads
Reports came out late Friday that the Cubs had signed right-hander Shelby Miller to a two-year deal. Sunday, the team officially announced the deal, which includes a team option for 2028. To make room for Miller on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated infielder Ben Cowles for assignment. (Which begs the question, why did they […]
about 1 month ago | 2 reads
The first thing I thought of — and maybe you did, too — on seeing the name “HESTER” was Devin Hester, the Hall of Fame Bears kick returner/defensive back. Obviously, this isn’t Devin Hester. I had no recollection of this Diamondbacks player when BCB reader Clark Addison sent me the photo, so off I went […]
about 1 month ago | 5 reads
Hey now. The players are in camp, except for a couple, who (as far as I know) are still having visa trouble. They’ll actually play a competitive game this week. I don’t know about you, but I’m studio-tanned, restless, and ready-to-wear. I’m in the best shape of my life (round) except for my hand, which […]
about 1 month ago | 2 reads
This is Cubs infielder Ronny Cedeńo, pretty clearly having been called out on strikes against the Pirates at Wrigley Field. It’s another photo from BCB reader Clark Addison. The Cubs wore blue jerseys at home on occasion pre-Ricketts ownership, and we are looking at an afternoon game. I was given a clue here by the […]
about 1 month ago | 4 reads
Earlier this week MLB announced details of the ABS challenge system that will go into effect this season. If you missed it, here’s my article describing all those details. There’s going to be another change you’ll notice on TV broadcasts of MLB games this year, and Jeff Agrest of the Sun-Times notes that change: The […]
about 1 month ago | 4 reads
The above turned out to be controversial as trolls descended upon Taillon’s X-feed, prompting him to sign off for the season, as he put it. Lots of spring training interviews via Marquee, making up for lost time, I suppose, since they went almost two weeks without any new material. Here’s the playlist. I don’t see […]
about 1 month ago | 3 reads
The Cubs have reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with veteran right-handed reliever Shelby Miller. Fansided’s Robert Murray was reportedly first with the news. Miller, 35, pitched quite effectively last year with the Diamondbacks, posting a 1.98 ERA and ten saves in 37 games before he was traded to the Brewers at the trade deadline, […]
about 1 month ago | 6 reads
As you know, the Cubs have added quite a bit of advertising to Wrigley Field since the recently-completed renovation. This includes ads on the pads on the left- and right-field lines, on the doors on the outfield walls and behind the plate. There are also two advertising signs on buildings on Waveland and Sheffield, as […]
about 1 month ago | 3 reads
Today we look at the Cubs’ newest rotation member, a flamethrowing righty acquired by trade from the Miami Marlins with tremendous upside. Edward Cabrera is 6’5”, 217 lbs. That’s a tall skinny drink of water with a buggy whip for an arm. He throws as hard as anyone when he’s on the mound. But he […]
about 1 month ago | 3 reads
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — As you know, at long last MLB players will get the chance to challenge ball-and-strike calls during games beginning this year. Officially called the ABS challenge system, this has been tested in Triple-A games for a couple of years and had a test in some Spring Training games in 2025. Thursday, the […]
about 1 month ago | 2 reads
Good morning. A lot of news today.
about 1 month ago | 4 reads
The sad end of Ken Hubbs and other stories. Today in Baseball History: The Ken Hubbs story from SABR. Cubs birthdays: Bill Bradley, Gilly Campbell, Donnie Moore, Matt Mieske. Today in history: Common sources: *pictured. Some of these items spread from site to site without being fact-checked, and that is why we ask for verifiable sources, in order to […]
about 1 month ago | 4 reads
Today we look at the Cubs’ veteran right-handed starter. Jameson Lee Taillon was born in Lakeland, Florida, 34 years ago. He was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 June Amateur Draft, going to the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he toiled for four years, recorded 29 wins against 24 losses, and looked every bit of […]
about 1 month ago | 3 reads
The 2026 World Baseball Classic begins in less than three weeks — Wednesday, March 4, to be exact. That’s actually Thursday, March 5 in Japan, where the first games of pool play will take place. The three other pools — in San Juan, Houston and Miami — will begin play Friday, March 6. All the […]
about 1 month ago | 2 reads