Cub Tracks gets tough

Haha, if we thought yesterday was slim pickin’s, today is strictly Rip Torn. The Sun-Times’ last Cubs article was Monday. The Trib’s was Friday. I watched the game last night, but my beat is Cubs, and there was a gamethread anyway. Talk about whatever you want to, I guess...here’s some Leo:

So I threw in a bonus baseball history bit, ugly as that is, since that was a spinoff from here. Gotta have something to justify my existence, as I didn’t win the MegaMillions. Statistical analysis ain’t my thing, and y’all don’t want to read about the two books I have coming on Hallowe’en or thereabouts, so...this is good for your earhole:

As always * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).

1. With reference to ongoing commentary: Cub Tracks’ full 40-man as of 10/13. Feel free to guess who’s coming and going.

Cubs News and Notes:

• NBC Sports Chicago: Theo Epstein loves Javier Báez’s ‘pure toughness’. [VIDEO].
• Bruce Miles (Daily Herald {$}): ‘Tapping’ into Cubs’ recent hitting-coach history. “Bring ‘em in and grind ‘em out.”
• Brendan Miller (Cubs Insider): Watch: Cubs top prospect Nico Hoerner talks Fall League, fast development, & pilates [VIDEO].
• Moshe Wilensky (Cubs Insider): Only 6 teams appear able to participate in Bryce Harper/Manny Machado sweepstakes. “...Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies, Twins, Giants, and Cubs.”
• Chris Kamka (NBC Sports Chicago*): Remember that guy? Former Cubs shortstop Ricky Gutiérrez. “Gutiérrez played in the Majors from 1993-2004.”

Today in Baseball History:

• 2015 - The Mets complete a sweep of the Cubs in the NLCS with an 8 - 3 win at Wrigley Field. They score 4 runs in the 1st and 2 in the 2nd to run away with the game, while Daniel Murphy, who is named MVP of the series, sets a new postseason record by homering in his sixth straight game.
• Cubs birthdays: Jack Hayden, Bill Lee, Johnny Goryl, George Bell. Also notable: Whitey Ford (HoF).

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.