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Previously, Cub Tracks observed Boxing Day, another slow news day in a skein of slow news days. Cub Tracks isn’t resorting to the second silly season...yet, but it’s possibly not long before the deluge, unless there’s a rain of real news in the reasonably near future.
When you realize your GIF-giving skills were on point this year. pic.twitter.com/7dWiVFQdGy
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) December 26, 2017
I mean, this is the #1 item today, in terms of number of articles:
— Jessica Bryant (@Jess__bryant) December 26, 2017
KB making news, that’s not news. The man gets around:
Kris Bryant just crushing life and dunking all over haters pic.twitter.com/oUpLxNOufY
— Starting 9 (@Starting9) December 26, 2017
Even though the beat writers seem to be on vacation (how dare they?), we did have some news to peruse, anyway. Read on for the details — as always * means autoplay on™ (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).
Today in baseball history:
- 1926 - Bob O'Farrell is named to replace Rogers Hornsby as the Cardinal manager. The 'Rajah', who guided the Redbirds to a World Championship as the team's player-manager last season, was traded to the Giants eight days ago for Frankie Frisch and Jimmy Ring.
- 1957 - After Representative Kenneth B. Keating, a member of the House's Antitrust Subcommittee, indicates Congress should reopen its sports hearing, CBS announces it will not broadcast major league games into any area at the time a minor league game is scheduled. The television network has entered an agreement with six teams - Indians, Orioles, Phillies, Reds, White Sox, and Yankees - to telecast major league games nationally on Sundays next season.
- Happy birthday — Bill Lee
Cubs news and notes:
Jed Hoyer [at press conference]: "Please welcome the newest member of the Chicago Cubs family, Kylo Ren" [aide whispers in ear] "Kyle Ryan?! What kind of name is that?!"
— fan of the world's number one cubs (@kranzman) December 27, 2017
“This has been one of the slowest and weirdest offseasons, with way more rumors and fakeouts than actual trades and deals. It feels like months ago that the possibility of Manny Machado coming to Chicago was sort of real, and what few rumors have popped up recently haven't amounted to much.
“We're entering the real doldrums of winter, when there's little to distract from sub-zero wind chills -- at some point, team owners might have to lock their GMs outside until they are able to get some things done. After all, the hot stove ain't going to heat itself! It's not ideal, but desperate times call for desperate measures.” — Lauren Comitor
TLS Sportsperson of the Year Award Nominee: Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs #Cubs #MLB https://t.co/5cJlQQhCkO pic.twitter.com/KprhMkL8Sp
— The Loop Sports (@TheLoop_Sports) December 27, 2017
- Jesse Rogers (ESPN*): Has St. Louis' offseason splash closed gap in Cubs-Cardinals rivalry? “Perhaps a little, but then again, the winter isn’t over...”
- Bruce Levine (CBS Chicago*): Amid stagnant market, Cubs explore all options to add pitching. “...most of the next wave of Cubs prospects will be young pitchers.”
- Ryan Davis (FanRag Sports): Locked on Cubs – Episode 5: Waiting on Yu. Mailbag answers.
- Robert Villareal (Baseball Essential): Mike Montgomery wants a shot, and he has earned it. “Should Montgomery be a reliever in 2018? Probably, but he has still earned his shot.”
- Robert Murray (FanRag Sports): Red Sox or Cubs — who has advantage for Manny Machado? “What both teams lack is a farm system to get a trade done.” And, well, realistic desire. But still.
- Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Okay, let’s try to clarify this Manny Machado trade offer business again. “I guess nothing’s ever really over.”
- Carrie Muskat (MLB.com*): Chris Singleton's message transcends baseball. "Baseball is definitely No. 1, but I feel baseball has given me more of a platform for my inspirational speaking," he said.
- Joe Posnanski (MLB.com): Kerry Wood's compelling career full of swings. “...the Ballad of Kerry Wood...”
- Eric Chesterton (Cut Four): The Hall of Fame case: Carlos Zambrano. Perhaps no player has had a more fitting nickname than Zambrano's "El Toro”.
- Phil Thompson (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Jessica and Kris Bryant surprise Jessica's mom with Jeep for Christmas. “she’s the mom and that’s her job”.
“All-Time Chicago Cubs 25-man Roster” by @chifanpatt1 https://t.co/QpSJcV79yB
— Wrigley Rapport (@WrigleyRapport) December 27, 2017
- Jared Wyllys (Cubs Den): Albert Almora vs. Ian Happ: The eye test vs. the metrics. “Measuring defense objectively is extremely tricky.”
- Todd Johnson (Cubs Insider): Offseason prospect profile: Jose Albertos looking like next big thing. “...three plus pitches that he can command...”
- Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Thanks, congrats to unsung hero leaving Cubs front office. Namely Assistant Director of Communications Kevin Saghy.
Chicago Cubs MLB Star Wars You Underestimate the Power 3 x 5 Ft Deluxe Banner Flag https://t.co/pnAvOPPtwV (via Amazon) pic.twitter.com/5MK7NT1Ejn
— Chicago Cubs Fans (@FlyTheWForever) December 27, 2017
Food for thought:
Fossils and genetic evidence have revised humans’ origin story. #SNTop10 https://t.co/gBUljpQyCP
— Science News (@ScienceNews) December 28, 2017
A new documentary explores the life of Hedy Lamarr -- actress, inventor, and scientist: https://t.co/7quJfihdez @SciMagBooks
— Science Magazine (@sciencemagazine) December 27, 2017
Could one plucky reindeer with a red nose save #Christmas? Of course the @MythBusters are going to test this myth as the MythBusters Mega MerryThon continues! #MBMerryThon pic.twitter.com/Ru1aYls28j
— Science Channel (@ScienceChannel) December 28, 2017
Thanks for reading. But wait, there’s more...Burgess Meredith would have loved this one!
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Still on sale! TPB and Kindle editions available.