A Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Good morning. With the Super Bowl finished, you all know what that means. It’s baseball season!
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
BCB reader Clark Addison sent me some more photos to sleuth, and said none were easy. Well! I love a sleuthing challenge. Today, we have a photo of actor Joe Mantegna, a big Cubs fan and creator of the play “Bleacher Bums.” He’s with Cubs manager Joe Maddon, which already dates it between 2015 and […]
Vince Velasquez is the latest MiLB signing for our Cubs, it has been reported. This is in addition to Owen Miller, who has officially adorned the dotted line. The Cubs are filling up around the edges. I used to love Javy Báez. I still do, but I used to, too. Isiah Kiner-Falefa has filled Boston’s […]
Eleventh in the series. Today we look at the Cubs’ veteran right fielder. 31-year-old Seiya Suzuki is a native of Arakawa, Japan, who came to the Cubs in 2022, with a reputation for good OF defense and a lively bat, after a storied career in NPB, where he played for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. In his four […]
Today we’re counting down the top five prospects in the Cubs minor league system. Because of the requests of some of you, I’m going to do today’s in reverse order. I’ll try it this year. If I don’t like it, I’m going back to the other way next year. If you want to look back, […]
Let’s switch things up today and talk about a new baseball stadium in the Tampa Bay area that might actually get built. The Tampa Bay Rays have had quite the stadium saga. When they were created, they began play in Tropicana Field, originally built as the Florida Coast Sundome in 1989, when the area was […]
Happy Friday, everyone. In arbitration news, two-time Cy Young-winning pitcher Tarik Skubal proved why it’s worth it to know your value. He and the Detroit Tigers did not see eye-to-eye when arbitration came around, with the team offering him only $19 million to the $32 million he estimated he was worth. The Tigers notoriously do […]