Cub Tracks feels a draft

Cubs Lose. I still hate the Mets.

Previously, Cub Tracks saith not very much about where the titles come from, but held forth on some other subjects. One of the Today in Cubs History items was found to be erroneous -- Cub Tracks has emailed the website where the information comes from. Readers are to be congratulated for their extensive knowledge of the subject.

The MLB draft was last night. We have a little information on the first two players drafted.

And various other items gathered from dim corners and news desks around the interwebs. Read all about it — as always * means autoplay on™ (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).

Today in Cubs History:

• 1905 - New York hurler Christy Mathewson pitches his second career no-hitter, defeating the Cubs, 1-0.
• 1913 - In the top of the ninth inning with no outs at New York's Polo Grounds, Christy Mathewson strands a runner on third base to record his 300th victory when the Giants edge the Cubs, 3-2.

• 1965 - At Shea Stadium, Ron Swoboda breaks the franchise record for home runs hit by a rookie when he goes deep off Dick Ellsworth in the first inning with a three-run homer, a poke that will provide all of the runs the Mets will score in their 3-2 victory over Chicago. Jim Hickman had established the mark with 13 round-trippers in 1962, the club's inaugural season.
• 1984 - The Indians trade Rick Suttcliffe, along with George Frazier and Ron Hassey, to the Cubs for Joe Carter, Mel Hall, Don Schulze, and minor league hurler Darryl Banks. After the midseason trade, the 28-year-old right-hander, who will go on to win the NL Cy Young award, posts a 16-1 record for Chicago, leading the team to the NL East flag.

• 1994 - At the age of 34, Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg suddenly retires, walking away from $16 million. 'Ryno' will return to the Chicago lineup in 1996 to play for two more seasons before completing his 16-year Hall of Fame career.
• 2006 - The first wireless bullpen communication system in baseball history is used at Wrigley Field when a cell phone, which will be sent to the Hall of Fame, is used for the first time in major league history to call the bullpen. From the dugout, Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild calls the bullpen during the third inning to start warming up reliever Angel Guzman.
• 2010 - In game against their cross-town rivals at Wrigley Field, the Cubs get out of a bases loaded jam in the final frame for a 1-0 victory over the White Sox. Juan Pierre's leadoff single in the top of the ninth spoils Ted Lilly's bid for a no-hitter, a feat that hasn't been accomplished at the 'Friendly Confines' since Milt Pappas threw a no-no in 1972.

Cubs News and Notes:

• Toni Ginnetti (Chicago Sun-Times): Umpires changing wild pitch to hit batsman irks Maddon. “Apparently, there’s a rule that it’s not a challenge thing,’’ Maddon said.
• Patrick Mooney (CSN Chicago*): Cubs downplay issues with Jake Arrieta's thumb: 'It's not like he's been cut by a knife'. “Our starters have not hit their stride yet on a start-by-start basis,” Maddon said.

• Brendan Miller (Cubs Insider): Jake Arrieta successfully revamping his mechanics. “...once numbers begin to stabilize, we could see him really start to take off.”
• Chris Emma (CBS Chicago*): Jake Arrieta desperately struggling to look like himself. “It was just two summers ago that tweaks to his mechanics led to a historic run of success.”
• Carrie Muskat (MLB.com): Kyle Hendricks ready to put hand injury to the test. "We'll let him [throw Tuesday] and find out how he feels after that," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.
• Buster Olney (ESPN Insider {$}): Best offseason signings: Koji Uehara. “How does the 42-year-old stay effective despite a mediocre fastball? Nobody seems to know, but whatever the answer, the Cubs found themselves a bargain.”
• Eric Mauro (Fansided): Why Carl Edwards, Jr. is my favorite current Cub.
• Tom U. (Cubs Den): The non-linear ascent of Seth Frankoff. He’s been around a bit.
• Scott Chasen (MLB.com): Cubs looking for more leadoff production. Maddon hoping Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ can find stride in No. 1 spot.
• Carrie Muskat (MLB.com): Anthony Rizzo needs more votes to get All-Star start. Rizzo, Willson Contreras, and Javier Baez are second at their respective positions.
• Tony Andracki (CSN Chicago*): Anthony Rizzo's 'throwback' approach at the plate setting the tone for Cubs. “It's becoming tougher and tougher to tell Anthony Rizzo and Joey Votto apart.”
• (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Ben Zobrist frustrated by slow pace of healing in his left wrist. Zobrist expected faster results.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): The kid who only hit homers: Kyle Schwarber becoming a different kind of folk legend. “...long at-bats are killing Schwarber.”

• Tony Andracki (CSN Chicago*): Is Jon Jay the answer to the Cubs' leadoff woes? “...for right now, at least, it appears Jay's biggest impact on the Cubs is taking his professional at-bats out of the leadoff spot.”
• Russell Dorsey (Wrigleyville-Baseball Prospectus): 10 years later: Jason Heyward recalls 2007 draft experience. “Doesn’t matter where you get drafted or sign as a free agent, you can have a long career in this game.”
• Nate Greabe (Wrigleyville-Baseball Prospectus): Young Cubs: Now even younger. “...a whirl around the minors to catch up on the most notable performers.”
• Russell Dorsey (Daily Herald {$}): Leadoff spot still an issue for Cubs. That would explain the article below.
• Tyler Kepner (New York Times): Cubs don’t look to glitter of last season as they work to polish this one. “They don’t flaunt the ring, and don’t need to.”
• Sean Sears (Sports Mockery): Sources confirm the Cubs are looking at Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich. Hmm. That’d be costly.
• John Arguello (Cubs Den): Quick take on first three picks: Cubs stock up on arms that could move quickly. “Some believe Little has the best curve in the entire draft.”
• John Sickels (Minor League Ball): 2017 MLB Draft Profile: Brendon Little, LHP, State Junior College of Florida. “When his mechanics are in gear he shows very good command as well, and the high strikeout rate is not lying about his stuff.”
• Jim Kleinpeter (NOLA.com): LSU's Alex Lange picked 30th overall by Chicago Cubs in 2017 MLB Draft. “He projects as a mid-level starter or a closer.”

Food for thought:

• Mary Beth Griggs (Popular Science): A bird’s song might be in her genes. “For years, scientists have wondered if birds are born knowing their distinctive calls or if they learn the behavior over time.”
• Robert Service (Science): Designer protein halts flu. “...although it isn’t ready as a treatment itself, the protein may point the way to future flu drugs, scientists say.”
• Carolyn Gramling (Science): World’s only fossils of T. rex skin suggest it was covered in scales—not feathers. “Because their earlier cousins did have feathers, it’s likely that the large tyrannosaurs lost them somewhere along the way.”

Thanks for reading. Cub Tracks will return Thursday.