Cub Tracks parties with Donner

Richard Donner, that is, the director of Valley of the Dragons, last night’s Svengoolie feature. Sorry, no shortage of cannibalism here. However, it appears that Brandon Morrow has munched his arm. Or something. Sucks. He’s terrific when he can throw the ball to people. Past people. Great closer demeanor, too. Or maybe he glowers like that because it hurts so much? His arm has always been glass, but now it seems like it might be smoked.

Food for thought, that is. Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate. Chag sameach to those of you who celebrate Passover.

And, as always, happy Halloween. Every day is Halloween.

To continue the narrative introduced on Saturday, I’m going to smoke a long pig ham and some salmon. Damnably hard to keep lit, but once they’re cooking, you’re bakin’, if that isn’t stretching the underlying metaphors beyond their limit.

Subtext me if you know the answer. I’m off to do some gardening with Rory Calhoun. We eat our mistakes, you know?

Here’s today’s Cubs News and Notes. As always, * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).

• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): 3 factors in Cubs’ shutout loss to D-backs. “... the in-game maneuvering really came back to bite the Cubs.”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Yu Darvish, Brandon Morrow and the lingering offseason that continues to shadow the Cubs. “... Maddon wants to see Darvish pitch with more confidence and emotion.”
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): Darvish still searching for results, but maintains he’s on the cusp of putting it all together. “... the Cubs need more than moral victories every time Darvish takes the ball.”
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs shut down closer Morrow after he experiences elbow soreness during rehab. “The Cubs received better news regarding starter Jon Lester.” Tony Andracki elaborates. Jordan Bastian also has thoughts. Brett Taylor ponders. Madeleine Kenney has more about Lester. ESPN does, too.
• Tommy Birch (Des Moines Register* {$}): Iowa Cubs pitcher Trevor Clifton finds peace, quiet and affordability in his tiny house. “I just wish it had a bathroom in it — that’s the only thing,” Betsey Clifton said.
• Sean Holland (Cubs Insider): Javier Báez keeps making magic by taking extra bases. “... baserunning feats are a big part of what makes him El Mago.”
• Doug Glanville (NBC Sports Chicago*): A slump in the road - the Cubs’ 2019 World Series dreams hinge on the bat of Kris Bryant. “... slumps are part of any players career, and they are not always just an offensive thing.” Bryant plays catch with fan [VIDEO].
• Cubs birthdays: Lefty Weinert, Bill Faul, Les Lancaster.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading. It’s people!