I’m between PCPs, have run out of BP meds and can do a Scanners imitation at any time, even though I know how to reduce blood pressure herbally and am doing so. I ate a cat’s claw, did a shot of apple cider vinegar, and drank a half-cup of warm water with a teaspoon of red hot chili pepper and a crushed garlic clove in it. Give us a kiss. Or some chocolate.
Heh. In other news, Addison Russell said stuff, the Cubs are partnering with a questionable media company, and the winter didn’t yield any high-profile free agents, a cause for consternation among some of the intelligentsia. I admit to concerns about all of these things myself, but am maintaining a wait and see attitude. That said, hey Cubs, if you’re harboring a secret, give it away, now. I’d love a positive spring training.
Yeah, new Leo. I love that guy. Kinda samey-sounding sometimes but mad skills and when it’s on, it’s ON. He’d look good in the Cubs’ lineup.
*(ducks)*
In a bit, I’ll post a list of music and artists. In the meantime, here’s today’s Cubs News and Notes, and plenty of it. I raked the muck as thoroughly as possible. Neil Paine does NOT praise Theo. More Russellspeak. And then some. As always * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).
Addison Russell addresses the media from spring training. https://t.co/scnU190ZGr
— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) February 15, 2019
“As a kid growing up, we all played. And I promise you, not one time when you’re in Little League or even high school or college did you worry about mechanics as much as you worried that you wanted to beat the other team with that other name on it. Really, that’s an over-simplification, but I want us to reduce the game to that. When it says St. Louis on the jersey, beat it. When it says Milwaukee, you want to beat it. Again, I think we get so enamored with all this other stuff that you just forget to compete sometimes.” -- Joe Maddon
Brad Brach is pretty hyped about the #Cubs rotation pic.twitter.com/SG9SpQ1ICU
— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) February 15, 2019
MLB.com’s projected lineups. Prospects who could vie for spots.
Bryce Harper to the Giants? Hmm.
Kyle Hendricks (including postseason) has thrown 6,374 pitches since his last wild pitch. #Cubs
— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) February 16, 2019
- Neil Paine (Five Thirty-Eight): Did the Cubs miss their chance to be a dynasty? “The answer lies in part with the team’s declining core and team president Theo Epstein’s inability to supplement it with effective reinforcements from the outside — particularly when it comes to pitching.”
- Jayson Stark (The Athletic {$}): The 2019 spring training preview extravaganza. “The Cubs made zero additions to their core of position players. So we’re about to learn how much this band wants to stay together beyond this year.”
- Sean Holland (Cubs Insider): A conversation about what to expect from Cubs in 2019. I think Luke Hagerty...will appear in the majors.”
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Joe Maddon to take a ‘fluid’ approach to closer role. “...relievers such as Steve Cishek, Carl Edwards Jr. and Brad Brach could also be options for ninth-inning work.”
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Tyler Chatwood hopes small fix has big results in ‘19. Brett Taylor adds on. Sahadev Sharma {$} analyzes.
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Carl Edwards hopes pause in delivery aids accuracy. Works for Kenley Jansen. Evan Altman corroborates.
- Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs pitcher Brad Brach adds more fuel to baseball’s free-agency conspiracy theory. “...his experience was a microcosm of what’s wrong with the system right now from the players’ perspective.” Brett Taylor also opines.
- Bradford Doolittle (ESPN+ {$}): MLB second baseman tiers: Shrinking defensive role changes expectations. Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs. Position rank: 3
- Gordon Wittenmeyer (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs’ Addison Russell: ‘I am accountable for my past actions’. “I am not proud of the person I was.” Mark Gonzales adds on. Rick Morrissey also speaks. The Tribune staff digs in. Jordan Bastian has words. Jesse Rogers, too. And Evan Altman. Patrick Mooney {$} says a LOT.
- Dave Clark (Cincinnati Enquirer*): Kyle Schwarber reacts to Chicago Cubs’ National League Central last-place prediction. “That’s cool. I guess they want to be different, right? I guess they want to get some publicity, I guess. You know, I think we all know what we have in this clubhouse. But baseball is baseball. It might happen. But I’m betting on it won’t happen. So, you know, I don’t think we’ll do that. So, next question.”
- Bryan Smith (Bleacher Nation): Sleepers in the Cubs farm system? How about Yovanny Cruz, Luke Reynolds, Riley Thompson, and six more for your eyes. That’s at least a ripple.
- Cubs birthdays: Carl Lundgren, Ed Schorr, Ray Harrell, Don Eaddy, Don Landrum, Bobby Darwin, Barry Foote, Mike Hubbard, Sergio Mitre, Eduardo Sanchez. Also notable: Herbie Moran, who did not play for the Cardinals.
Wilson Sporting Goods shows off some of the latest major league uniforms before the start of the 1947 season! #Pirates #RedSox #Yankees #Indians #Cubs #Tigers #Phillies #Dodgers #MLB #History pic.twitter.com/IoR2TQsWsZ
— Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) February 15, 2019
Food for thought:
Chemical bans and captive breeding programs helped falcon populations soar once again. https://t.co/0dISnEKld6
— Science News (@ScienceNews) February 16, 2019
.@NHLBlackhawks players took to the ice to show students how speed, energy and angles are applied in hockey as part of the inaugural Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Showcase at United Center, writes @Tramyers_NHL https://t.co/b2v7SujWjN
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) February 15, 2019
In future class photos, teachers and students may be joined by androids. #longreads https://t.co/Ml3K13dEjl
— Science News (@ScienceNews) February 15, 2019
I love you all. Don’t ever change. Thanks for reading. #Cubsnews