Cub Tracks collects samples

I’m not watching the World Series. I’ve already moved on to post-baseball activities. MLB.TV charged me for another month despite my canceling the service. They refunded my money after a series of emails but still, the principle. I don’t want to give MLB or any major sport any money at this particular time.

And I know it is small and mean to want people’s heads to explode like scanners, so I won’t even talk about Rob Manfred or any other expensive marionettes.

The beat writers are still on vacation, most of them. Bear with us, dear readers. Please remember that we do not necessarily endorse the points of view espoused in the articles below.

Here at Cub Tracks News and Notes, we are winding up the fifth year of the reign under Duane (and closing in on the eighth anniversary overall) and also it’s almost my birthday. I’m not super-sentimental about such things but that’s an anniversary, too. As always, * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. (In the comments section, use @ before and after your remarks @ to produce sarcasm font.)

• Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): The Cubs are a decimated organization after laying off 100-plus employees. “The cuts impacted almost every sector ...” Brett Taylor has more to say.
• Jesse Spector (Deadspin*): How much should Cubs fans care about their team’s horrendous owners? “The answer to that question is tricky and personal, but not unique to the Cubs.” Response to a New Yorker article. The articles are reasonable if partisan, and are good reads. Keep things civil, please.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Is the front office set up for a transition? How will David Ross do in Year 2 at the helm? 4 questions about Chicago Cubs management heading into 2021. “... ninth and final in a series ...”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): 5 most overlooked reasons Cubs haven’t been back to the World Series. “You can bluff your way through it for a couple years, but eventually you’re going to have to start moving guys.”
• Mike McGraw (Daily Herald* {$}): Chicago Cubs need more options at designated hitter. Yes. Yes they do.
• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): State of the Cubs: 1st base. “Anthony Rizzo has brought as much stability as he has success to the position.”
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): State of the Cubs: Second base. “Second base ranks as one of the biggest question marks on the Cubs roster entering the offseason.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): If Japanese star second baseman Tetsuto Yamada is posted, should Cubs go that route? “... generally, Yamada rakes ...”
• Mike McGraw (Daily Herald* {$}): Hefty contract helps make Jason Heyward a Chicago Cubs fixture in RF. “He might as well make himself at home in right field.”
• Cubs birthdays: Jimmie Foxx HOF, Frank DiPino Michael Barrett, Eli Whiteside, Chris Rusin.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.