:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48634475/GettyImages-454116340.0.jpg)
My usual procedure when finding a photo to go along with this series is to use one showing the uniform number of the person I'm showing.
With Cubs pitching coach Chris Bosio, that's pretty much impossible. Why? Because Bosio never, ever wears his uniform shirt during games. Mostly, you can see him in this red-and-blue pullover, as shown in this 2014 photo where he's having a conference with Jake Arrieta, among others.
Officially, Bosio wears uniform No. 25, and it's 25 days to pitcher-and-catcher report day, so I thought I'd give some props to Bosio, who's credited with helping along the careers of quite a number of Cubs pitchers over the last few years, Arrieta being a prominent example. Brought in by Theo Epstein for the 2012 season, Bosio's now on his third manager, and Joe Maddon obviously likes him well enough to keep him around.
Bosio wore No. 29 through most of his playing career with the Brewers and Mariners, though he switched to No. 25 his final year in Seattle. No. 29 was taken by Jeff Samardzija when Bosio joined the Cubs, so 25 must have seemed like a natural fit.
Beyond his good coaching ability, Bosio is a fan favorite. Before every Wrigley Field game, Bosio comes over to the left-field bleachers and throws some baseballs into the stands. I've caught some of those baseballs, and I'll leave you with a laugh today. It was the final Sunday home game of the 2014 season, and that day it had rained for a bit before the game before clearing so the game could start on time. The bleacher benches were still a bit wet.
Bosio walked over toward the line and threw a ball in my direction. I caught it, but then slipped on the wet bench and fell flat on my butt. Gave him a good laugh. Yes, Chris, if you're reading this, that was me.
Pitching coaches often get too much blame when things aren't going well and not enough credit when they are, but Chris Bosio has been an excellent pitching coach for the Cubs for the last four years. Hope he sticks around for many more successful Cubs seasons.