A Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005
It’s Wednesday night here at BCB After Dark: the coolest club for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re so glad you decided to stop by tonight. It’s always good to see a friendly face. There’s no cover charge. If you have anything to check, let us know. The hostess will […]
20 days ago | 3 reads
Chicago is finally thawing out after an interminable winter that saw a brutally cold January transition straight to a just as frigid February. While Chicago shows signs of emerging from its long winter slumber pitchers and catchers have already reported to Arizona. There will be Spring Training baseball this week when the Cubs host the […]
20 days ago | 1 read
Today we look at the Cubs’ younger right-handed swingman. The Cubs have restocked the bullpen and added a starter. So far, we’ve covered the starting five and the entire batting/fielding group (as it stands). We’ll look at the additional starter candidates and the bullpen in alphabetical order, which means that the roster will consist of […]
20 days ago | 2 reads
Here are the managers and coaching staffs for the Cubs minor league affiliates: Iowa Cubs, Knoxville Smokies, South Bend Cubs, Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Arizona Complex League Cubs and the team in the Dominican Summer League. Many of these you will recognize from previous years. The managers are detailed below. The full coaching staffs follow. […]
20 days ago | 1 read
Commissioner Rob Manfred has made no secret that he would like to have all 30 MLB teams’ local TV rights to be able to sell to prospective buyers after the 2028 season, along with national rights. The theory is that doing this would get a higher price than just having the league’s national rights for […]
20 days ago | 1 read
Good morning.
20 days ago | 1 read
So long, Harry, 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: Walter Thornton, Zip Zabel, Cal […]
21 days ago | 2 reads
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 […]
21 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 […]
21 days 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 […]
21 days 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 […]
21 days 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 […]
21 days 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. […]
22 days 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 […]
22 days 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 […]
22 days 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 […]
22 days 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 […]
22 days ago | 2 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 […]
23 days 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 […]
23 days 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 […]
23 days ago | 3 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 […]
23 days 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 […]
24 days 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 […]
24 days 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 […]
24 days ago | 1 read
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, […]
25 days ago | 6 reads