A Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005
I’m including Ranger Suárez in this series because a couple of the writers at MLB Trade Rumors think he could wind up with the Cubs. And why not? Here’s a left-hander who fits the Cubs’ needs perfectly. He’s been quite consistent over the last four seasons, even though he’s maxed out at 29 starts (2022). […]
Good morning.
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: Tom Dettore, Mitch Williams, Darnell McDonald, Scott Moore. Also notable: Tom Seaver HOF. Today […]
For this one, we go back almost 80 years. First, a note about where I found this photo — on the Encyclopedia of Chicago website. Where they said it was from 1950. It’s not, and I will show my work. Or, mine and Mike Bojanowski’s, because I had to send it to him for help […]
We cover the coverage like PCA covers center field. Oh, baby! Dansby and Mallory Swanson have had their first child. Not much else happening on this fine Slothday Sunday. Enjoy! *means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have […]
Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson and his wife Mallory, who took leave from the Chicago Stars while pregnant this year, have announced the birth of their first child, a girl named Josie James Swanson: Congratulations to the Swansons on the birth, and the addition of someone new to the Cubs family. Just thought you’d like a […]
Here is a very good photo of the Wrigley Field marquee, and it is from a very specific time frame. The marquee was painted blue/green until 1965, as noted in this Wrigley Field history post (the marquee photo there is from 1962). When Tribune Co. bought the Cubs, they replaced the manual letters and numbers […]
We cover the coverage like PCA covers center field. Boras, no Natasha, alas. Izvini, Fearless Leader. The GM Meetings are over and I’m not sure what that had to do with anything yet. The Cubs signed a pitcher, Sam Mettert by name. He throws 99 and is from Tread Athletics by way of St, John’s. […]
You probably don’t even remember Orlando Merced as a Cub. He played in just 12 games, all as a pinch-hitter, finishing two of them in the field. He went 3-for-10 with a walk and a sacrifice fly. One of those hits, though, cements Merced in Cubs history. Merced had been acquired by the Red Sox […]
No one has been doing prospect rankings longer than Baseball America, and today the venerated publication revealed their top 10 Cubs prospects for the 2026 season. (sub. req.) While the scouting reports that go with each player are behind a paywall, I can share the rankings. I don’t think it’s unfair to say that the […]
Framber Valdez is considered by some to be the best free-agent starting pitcher on the market. Since becoming a full-time starting pitcher in 2020, Valdez has been remarkably consistent, posting ERAs no lower than 2.82 and no higher than 3.66, the latter his 2025 ERA. Overall in that time frame: 154 appearances (153 starts), 3.23 […]
Hoo boy, awards fans, we have some catching up to do. Since our last links post, we’ve gotten the biggest award winners of the season. On Wednesday, the Cy Young Awards were announced, and Tarik Skubal won for the second year in a row in the AL, while Paul Skenes of the Pirates won for […]
Sosa and Palmeiro free as birds, and other stories. Happy Birthday to Xavier Nady!* 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 […]
The 1993 Cubs were a maddening team. (Not “Maddon” ing, incidentally.) In their second year under manager Jim Lefebvre, they had hoped to make a jump into contention, but struggled around .500 most of the year. One of the bright spots on the team was catcher Rick Wilkins, who had been a part-time backstop for […]
The 1993 Cubs were a maddening team. (Not “Maddon” ing, incidentally.) In their second year under manager Jim Lefebvre, they had hoped to make a jump into contention, but struggled around .500 most of the year. One of the bright spots on the team was catcher Rick Wilkins, who had been a part-time backstop for […]
Most, if not all, of the players I’ve put in this series to date are guys the Cubs likely will not sign — too much money, too many years, or both. Here’s a pitcher who seems more up Jed Hoyer’s alley at the present time. Zac Gallen was originally drafted by the Cardinals (third round, […]
We cover the coverage like PCA covers center field. *means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments. Food for thought: Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of […]
It’s Wednesday at BCB After Dark: the hippest hangout for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come on in and join us for a while. There’s no cover charge. The dress code is casual. We still have a few tables available. Bring your own beverage. BCB After Dark is the place for […]
The hit by Luis Salazar that won this day’s game might have been the single play that cemented the NL East title for the Cubs in 1989. To understand that statement, a little context is needed. Salazar had been acquired in trade just 10 days earlier from the Padres. It was just his ninth game […]
So if the Cubs aren’t going to re-sign Kyle Tucker — and I do not believe they will — then how about a reunion with Cody Bellinger? Bellinger had a very good 2025 with the Yankees, batting .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs in 152 games. That was worth 5.1 bWAR. Yes, it was skewed a […]
Good moring.
Happy birthday to Jody Davis and other former Cubs. 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: […]
It’s Tuesday night here at BCB After Dark: the grooviest gathering of night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come on in and sit with us for a while. It’s always good to see a friend. Your name is on the guest list. We can take your coat if you’d like. The […]
The date in the headline likely sounds familiar to you. Of course, it’s the date of The Sandberg Game, in which Ryne Sandberg burst on the national scene with a 5-for-6 performance that included game-tying home runs in the ninth AND 10th innings. The Cubs came from deficits of 7-1 and 9-3 to defeat the […]
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article first appeared here Nov. 6, 2024, when Kyle Hendricks signed with the Angels. With the news of his retirement, I thought you’d enjoy reading it again. It’s been updated to include his 2025 season. One thing to remember about Kyle Hendricks’ mostly good-to-great 11 seasons in a Cubs uniform is that […]