Cub Tracks Digs In

Last time through these parts, we threw a mudball around, and talked about various other stuff, like going bats and the Hall of Shame. Today we have the newest Cubs anthem, prospecting the prospects, Joe Buck, and Theo Epstein, cooked just the way you like them.

It doesn’t get draft-y until June, but people are talking about that, too. I dunno about you, but I’m gonna get me a flapjack stack, some little sausages and a vat of joe and read about some Cubs today. Feel free to join me.

So long, Trevor Cahill.

Classy. It’s good to be a Cub fan, these days. Read all about it — as always * means autoplay on (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).

The video above was submitted to the BCB Facebook fanpage.

Today in baseball history (and then some):

• 1929 - The Yankees announce they will put numbers on the backs of their uniforms, becoming the first baseball team to engage in continuous use of numbers. The first numbers are based on positions in the batting order thus, Ruth will wear number 3 and Gehrig 4. By 1931 all A.L. teams will use them; it will be 1933 before all N.L. players are numbered.
• 1969 - The Expos trade first baseman Donn Clendenon and outfielder Jesus Alou to Houston for outfielder Rusty Staub. Clendenon, however, refuses to report to Houston and announces that he is retiring instead. A few days later, Clendenon will decide that he would be willing to go to one of several other teams, a move that outrages the Astros. It will be April before the issues are resolved.
• 1976 - Pitchers Robin Roberts and Bob Lemon are voted into the Hall of Fame. Roberts led the N.L. in starts and innings for five straight seasons and was tops in victories for four consecutive years on his way to 286 career wins. Lemon earned 20 victories six times and won 207 career games for the Indians.
• 1982 - Free agent Reggie Jackson ends his tumultuous five seasons with the Yankees by signing a reported four-year contract with the California Angels for nearly $1 million per year.
• 1988 - As a result of the Players Association's 1985 collusion suit against the owners, arbitrator Thomas Roberts declares seven players no-risk free agents until March 1, giving them a chance to sign with other clubs despite already having contracts. The seven are Kirk Gibson, Carlton Fisk, Donnie Moore, Joe Niekro, Butch Wynegar, Tom Brookens and Juan Beniquez.
• 1997 - Modern Yankee great Don Mattingly officially announces his retirement at a media conference in Yankee Stadium.

• Michael Clair (Cut Four): Listen to the newest Cubs anthem, 'We, Joe Maddon,' from 'Prairie Home Companion'.
• Jeremy Gordon (The NY Times Magazine): Letter of recommendation: fair-weather fandom. “Most sports fans won’t admit it, but they’re probably bandwagoners, too.”
• George Castle (Chicago Baseball Museum): Smith writes off failed HOF bid in final year of eligibility on writers’ ballot. Lee Smith wasn’t surprised when he didn’t get the necessary votes. His fate is now up to the ERAs committee.
• Luis Medina (Baseball is Fun): Derrek Lee circa 2005 was a Monster and probably should have been the MVP. He didn’t get a single vote for the HOF.
• Tim Huwe (The Zygote 50): My Draft top ten watch list. Huwe speculates on possible Cubs’ picks.
• Keith Law (ESPN - Insider {$}): Farm system rankings: The middle 10. Law thinks the Cubs’ system has dropped quite a few notches.
• Todd Johnson (Cubs Insider): Fangraphs’ Prospect List is the one your mother warned you about. Oscar de la Cruz and Jose Albertos are ranked higher than on most other lists.
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): Be advised: Most of the rest of the NL Central is strong on the prospect front. “...sooner or later, someone is going to take a run at the division.”
• Carrie Muskat (MLB.com): Routine essential to Cubs prospect Candelario. “Jeimer Candelario was briefly promoted to the big leagues in 2016, and he's eager to see what '17 will bring.”
• Tony Andracki (CSN Chicago*): Why Cubs are excited for pitching prospect Dylan Cease: He's 'throwing lightning bolts'. “He's unlike anyone else we have in our system since we've been here in terms of pure stuff," said Jason McLeod.
• John Arguello (Cubs Den): Cubs Prospect Series: The right-handed bullpen arms. More prospects to think about.
• Zack Moser (Wrigleyville-Baseball Prospectus): Trevor Clifton and Jose Albertos are signs of a healthy system with depth, upside. Jeff Paternostro had a few words. Moser elaborates.
• Corey Francis (Fansided): Eloy Jimenez’s performance requires close attention. “While it is easy to see the upside, there are a few concerns.”
• Todd Johnson (Cubs Central): Up Next Series – Albert Almora, Jr. takes his dream position. Portrait of the center fielder as a young man.
• Jeff Sullivan (Fangraphs): Pick the better 2017 hitter. Jason Heyward or Addison Russell?
• Randy Holt (Wrigleyville-Baseball Prospectus): Deploying Kyle Schwarber in 2017. He will probably catch a little.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune): Cubs slugger Kris Bryant looks opposite way to improve lofty numbers. Yeah baby. I’ve been expecting this all offseason. Lotta RBI in right field and right-center.
• Julia Eversizer (Pantagraph): Welcome home: Ben Zobrist feted by hometown Eureka. Zobrist returned the love.
• Tony Crumpton (Cubs HQ): Theo Epstein might want to own a baseball team. Makes sense as a next step.
• CBS Chicago: Joe Buck’s message if any fans are upset over his enjoyment for calling Cubs’ World Series win? ‘Grow Up.’ Okay, awkward title. The interview is embedded in the article.

Food for thought:

• David Gorn (The Salt): Food as medicine: It's not just a fringe idea anymore. "What people eat can be medicine or poison...”
• Stephanie Margaret Bucklin (Astronomy): Is the multiverse physics, philosophy, or something else entirely? Nobody quite knows. How do you test the theories?
• Quora (Forbes): What effects of Quantum Physics can we observe in our daily lives? Everything except gravity, for the short answer.

Now leaving St. Alphonso’s. Smell you Twofer Tuesday. Thanks for reading.