A Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005
Jed Hoyer held a press conference yesterday. I didn’t see all of it, as I don’t live in Chicagoland but those who do and did view it assured me that Jed didn’t say anything that amounted to anything. Some of the players were out and about — I’ll include clips from that activity through the […]
about 1 month ago | 2 reads
Welcome back to BCB After Dark: the coolest club for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come on in. We’re so glad you decided to join us. There’s no cover charge. We still have a few tables available. Bring your own beverage. BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk […]
about 1 month ago | 2 reads
In this edition, we look at the Cubs’ Japanese southpaw. Shōta Imanaga, the ‘throwing philosopher’, has been with the Cubs for two interesting seasons now. It’s impossible to say whether Shōta, the crafty lefty with fool-me stuff is going to start a given game, or if his alter ego ‘Mike’ will take the ball for […]
about 1 month ago | 2 reads
Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer and General Manager Carter Hawkins met with media in Mesa, Arizona Wednesday, which was also the day that Cubs pitchers and catchers officially reported for Spring Training at the Sloan Park complex, though many players have been in camp already for a couple of weeks. There wasn’t any […]
about 1 month ago | 3 reads
Marquee Sports Network dropped its 2026 Cubs Spring Training schedule this morning. Without further ado, here it is: For those keeping score, that’s 11 of the 34 spring games. Seven of them will be games at Sloan Park and four will be away games. There will be some broadcasts of Cubs spring games by the […]
about 1 month ago | 3 reads
I’ll have a more detailed look into the other four teams in the NL Central coming up soon. But today, I simply want you to give your gut feelings about the Brewers, Reds, Pirates and Cardinals. How will the division wind up this year? We can get an idea of how these teams line up […]
about 1 month ago | 5 reads
Happy Wednesday, everyone! Tigers fans got an unexpected surprise yesterday when the team announced a one-year deal with Justin Verlander. Verlander, who began his career in Detroit, was a beloved former ace for the club, and the reunion—that might be more of a farewell tour—feels like an appropriate next chapter for both Verlander and the […]
about 1 month ago | 6 reads
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. So long, Bill*, hello, Bobby, and other stories. Today in baseball history: Cubs Birthdays: Jimmy […]
about 1 month ago | 5 reads
Welcome back to BCB After Dark: the hippest hangout for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re so glad you decided to stop in tonight. Let us hold the door for you. There’s no cover charge. Let us take your coat for you. There are still a few tables available. Bring […]
about 1 month ago | 4 reads
The Cubs are adding some starting pitching depth: Kyle Wright was the Braves’ first-round pick (seventh overall) in 2017 out of Vanderbilt and was a Top 100 prospect three years in a row (2018, 2019, 2020). He made his MLB debut with the Braves in 2019 and joined their rotation full-time in 2022, when he […]
about 1 month ago | 6 reads
Major League Baseball and ESPN jointly announced the official procedure for fans to subscribe to MLB.TV for the 2026 season today. Pay close attention because this is complicated! The ESPN release noted that the “free trial” will renew after one month at $29.99 per month. So if you don’t already have ESPN Unlimited, either through […]
about 1 month ago | 3 reads
Today we look at the Cubs’ young starter, who had a remarkable rookie season. Cade Horton went 11-4, 2.67 in his first season, throwing 118 innings with 90 strikeouts and a 1.08 WHIP. None of that is out of line with his minor-league production, and so the immediate conclusion is that this is who he […]
about 1 month ago | 1 read
As we await the Cubs pitcher and catcher report day this Wednesday, I thought I’d lighten things up by once again presenting anagrams for every player on the Cubs’ 40-man roster. I’ve given away the identity of the Cub in the headline with the photo. See if you can figure out the others. I’ve put […]
about 1 month ago | 1 read
I am not at all unhappy to see Caleb Durbin heading to Boston. The guy is a pain in the ass at the plate. Plus it means that Matt Shaw/Nico Hoerner are even more likely to stay put. The Super Bowl is over. It’s time for baseball. “We’re taking the afternoon off” *means autoplay on, (directions […]
about 1 month ago | 4 reads
It’s Monday night here at BCB After Dark: the hippest spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re so glad that you stopped by. Come on in. There’s no cover charge. We can check your coat for you. Hang on to that ticket. The hostess will take you to your […]
about 1 month ago | 6 reads
The starters are presented in alphabetical order, and, as always, are written in a No. 2 pencil. Today we’re looking at Matthew Boyd, who had the best year of his career in 2025, throwing 179.2 innings and going 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA and 1.091 WHIP, though he did in fact look gassed during the […]
about 1 month ago | 4 reads
As I do here every spring, today I present to you a full numerical roster of all the players and coaches in Cubs spring camp. Also included are the Cubs’ retired numbers, so you can see the full numerical progression. There are 58 players in camp, the 40-man roster plus 18 non-roster invitees. A few […]
about 1 month ago | 5 reads
Many Cubs players are already in Mesa, Arizona working out, but the official pitcher and catcher report day is Wednesday, Feb. 11, and the first full-squad workout will be Monday, Feb. 16. Today, the Cubs announced the names of 18 non-roster players who will join the 40-man roster in participating in spring camp at the […]
about 1 month ago | 2 reads
As you will recall, about a year ago MLB and ESPN jointly agreed to void the final three years of their deal. That would have been it between MLB and the “Worldwide Leader,” but later in 2025 the league and the channel put together another agreement that will keep baseball on ESPN this year, though […]
about 1 month ago | 2 reads
Good morning. With the Super Bowl finished, you all know what that means. It’s baseball season!
about 1 month ago | 3 reads
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. The Manfred Man arrives, and other stories. Happy birthday to Todd Pratt* and other former […]
about 1 month ago | 2 reads
Usually, I run just one sleuthing photo a day on the weekends during the offseason but I came across this one recently and it was too good to pass up. So let’s do a bit of baseball sleuthing as we wait for today’s Super Bowl to begin. Here we have brothers Joe and Phil Niekro […]
about 1 month ago | 3 reads
Here are two Cubs from the last decade who you likely remember well, Starlin Castro and Tyler Colvin. This is another photo courtesy BCB reader Clark Addison. They are standing together at Wrigley Field, apparently just waiting. There’s no one else on the field, the umpires appear to be having some sort of meeting, and […]
about 1 month ago | 4 reads
The time for hibernation is ending and soon it will be serious business in Arizona. Some players, notably Nico Hoerner, are already in camp. The fires have been banked, but we are told the flames are ready to be fanned and that we’ll see that post-season-ready buzz in short order. *means autoplay on, (directions to remove […]
about 1 month ago | 3 reads
Terrance Gore was known as one of the fastest men in baseball. He played in 14 games for the Cubs in 2018, mostly as a pinch-runner, and also appeared in the Wild Card Game that year against the Rockies. He was still in MLB as recently as 2022, with the Mets. Today, I have sad […]
about 1 month ago | 6 reads