It's mostly about Greg Maddux and the Hall of Fame today, but there are also some trade nuggets, prospect talk, and a quest for a former Cubs broadcaster. I'm filling in for Erik as he's moving this weekend.
From Comcast SportsNet
- Travis Wood has had a tough year, but he's going to keep grinding away, hoping to improve.
- Ryan Dempster says having Greg Maddux as a teammate changed his career.
- I'm not the only one noting the slow pace of games and long game times. CSN's Tony Andracki says MLB is aware of this real problem.
- Jed Hoyer tells fans to not get "distracted" by all the great performances by Cubs prospects.
- Justin Ruggiano sees parallels between the Cubs' rebuilding and how the Rays, who he played for previously, were built.
From Cubs Den
- Jake Arrieta has become a top-of-the-rotation arm.
- Who has the higher ceiling? Jorge Soler or Javier Baez?
- Could the Cubs be in on Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo? Here's some details from his workout for MLB teams.
From Cubs.com
- Greg Maddux' work ethic was the secret to his success.
- And Maddux and all the Hall of Fame inductees are working hard on this afternoon's speeches.
- Maddux stayed true to his roots despite his great success.
- Rick Sutcliffe shared memories of Maddux.
From ESPNChicago.com
- Rick Renteria says the players just have to "keep grinding."
- Edwin Jackson, subject of trade rumors, has gone down this road before.
- Anthony Rizzo told a cancer patient he'd hit a homer (or two) for him, and he delivered.
- Renteria was a coach with the Padres in Greg Maddux' last year there. Rick says Maddux' longevity was "a gift."
- Maddux always tried to get "the edge" on opponents, and that was one of his secrets to success.
From the Chicago Tribune
- Greg Maddux was entirely without pretension, writes Paul Sullivan.
- Maddux wants to make sure to remember both Cubs and Braves fans in his speech.
- VIDEO: Maddux on his Hall of Fame induction.
- A remembrance of Maddux' first major-league victory in 1986.
- Here's what you should make sure to see if you visit the Hall of Fame.
From the Chicago Sun-Times
- In addition to being a Hall of Fame pitcher, Greg Maddux could have made it into the practical jokers' Hall of Fame (if there were such a thing).
- Maddux' stature as a pitcher far outstripped his physical size.
- Jason Hammel says he'd be open to returning to the Cubs.
- In today's "master of the obvious" article, the Cubs say they'd like longer outings from Edwin Jackson.
- The late Jack Quinlan's daughter is on a campaign to get her father the Frick Award from the Hall of Fame.
From the Daily Herald
- Even though MLB is worried about long games (see above), they don't bother Rick Renteria.
- Barry Rozner quotes Greg Maddux as being "introspective" as he awaits Hall induction.
- 31 facts, thoughts, moments and memories of Greg Maddux.
Miscellaneous
- The Daytona News-Journal runs down the impressive list of prospects who have played for the Daytona Cubs.
Today's food for thought
- The New Yorker magazine has removed its paywall for the summer. Here's a list of must-read stories before they put it back up.