The SCOREboard: Cubs Wraparound Fail

Perhaps my expectations were too high after all the hype about the new radio home of the Cubs. But so far the Score has been better at promoting its new relationship with the National League Central favorite than it has been at delivering the promised expanded coverage of our favorite team.

Granted, this is a harsh judgment and is solely based on the first weekend of spring training games. But I had hoped for some extensive pre- and post-game coverage this past weekend and heard none of it. Instead, due to commitments to DePaul and Illinois basketball broadcasts, we heard those lackluster teams play instead of hearing anything from Mark Grote or other Score hosts prior to the 1:50 p.m. sign-ons with Len Kasper and Ron Coomer both Saturday and Sunday. Pat Hughes, reportedly, will not do any Score games until March 20, so Len will fill in until then.

Even worse, instead of any post-game discussion the Score went to CBS Sports Radio network shows after the game on Saturday. Topic A was the New England Patriots and Deflategate (talk about beating a dead horse) instead of what had happened in the Cactus League. And Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks was followed by a Mike Esposito-hosted show in which the main subject seemed to be the University of Illinois football job and Lovie Smith's candidacy for it.

Things should pick up now that college basketball season is wrapping up. The Score's midday duo of Matt Spiegel and Jason Goff are going to be in Arizona for the next three days so some Cub-centric talk will surely be featured from 9 to 1 p.m. in their usual slot. But I am starting to wonder if 670 will ever be able to shake off its NFL and Bears obsession. I for one can't wait for that to happen, but am not holding my breath.