Cub Tracks shortens up

Here at CUB TRACKS NEWS AND NOTES™, we like to keep things brief on the principle that it makes us appear wise. Unless we feel a rant. But we don’t mind a little informing with the entertaining.

There’s a game today, or there is supposed to be, and we’re looking forward to it. Here in the land of the saguaro and the burning orb, it’s going to be somewhere in the high double digits, seasonally temperate, and we (the cats watch too) plan to view the contest in air-conditioned comfort. I don’t know about you.

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• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): A dismal opening day for the Chicago Cubs is eased by the return of fans to Wrigley Field. “I don’t want to ever go back to those eerie days watching games with seven people in the stands,” Cubs President Jed Hoyer said on the eve of the opener. Colleen Kaye seconds that emotion. Brian Cassella has pictures. Gordon Wittenmyer catches that 22. Steve Greenberg opines. Jon Greenberg takes a walk {$}.
• Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Why do Cubs managers seem to age so fast? David Ross knows the answer. “You don’t sleep the way you used to. You feel like you have 30 kids.”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Beginning of the end continues for Cubs, shadowed by trade rumors and contract talks. “Everybody is on a different mission,” Ross said.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Kyle Hendricks’ shaky command ‘uncharacteristic’. “I never feel like he had a good rhythm,” said David Ross.
• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): Jake Arrieta ‘excited’ to hit again, compete with fellow pitchers. “Taking BP at Wrigley Field and having a chance to stand in the box again against some really nice arms is a challenge,” Arrieta said this spring, “but one that we’re looking forward to.”
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): Pitching infrastructure taking center stage for Cubs in 2021. “I have a lot of confidence in our pitching department,” Ross said.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Why revelation of Cubs’ talks with Kris Bryant falls short, too. “... what do you tell those fans paying the highest prices in baseball about why the big-market Cubs couldn’t bring back their favorite player?”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Jason Heyward embracing new faces, challenges as season opens. “He is the guy that we want representing the team,” Hendricks said. “He’s the perfect pro, man.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs’ World Series hero Ben Zobrist sells Chicago home. “Zobrist’s Chicago home is off the market.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Cubs pitching prospect Duncan Robinson is retiring to head to Law School. “Robinson, now 27, hadn’t really pitched in three years coming into this season, and he’s decided to hang them up to pursue another path.”
• Chicago Tribune* {$}): Wrigleyville bars: Your 2021 guide to all 46 spots around Wrigley Field. “Due to limited capacity, some spots are requiring reservations, and many others highly encourage doing so.”
• Jeff Agrest (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Jon ‘Boog’ Sciambi shines in Cubs debut on Marquee Sports Network. “As Blackhawks voice Pat Foley says after a loss, “We hope you enjoyed the broadcast, despite the outcome.” Well, the Cubs lost an ugly opener, but the broadcast was a delight.”

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