Cub Tracks’ he loafs best who loafs last

Here at CUB TRACKS NEWS AND NOTES™, we like to keep things brief on the principle that it makes us appear wise. We don’t always, but we like to.

The less said about the broadcasting crew, the better. Here’s some homer highlights and whatnot, instead.

Result: MEATLOAF. Save room for dessert. There’s MORE in Al’s recap!

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. In the text body. It doesn’t work in the headlines.)

• John J Kim (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Photos: Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals.
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): With Wrigley Field at full capacity, fans finally return to the stands — and Chairman Tom Ricketts takes it all in with them: ‘I think for everyone that comes here, it’s a special experience’. “Obviously getting fans in the ballpark sooner will give us more flexibility,” Ricketts said.
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): A packed Wrigley and another win set up Jed Hoyer and the Cubs to be buyers come July. “The anthem today just put a smile on my face,” manager David Ross said. Evan Altman has some words. Gordon Wittenmyer defines variables. Mike McGraw has the latest.
• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): Why new Cubs jerseys say ‘Wrigleyville’. “Lakeview is the neighborhood, but Wrigleyville is kind of the aura,” Ricketts said.

• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Bill Murray’s outside-the-juice-box plan to keep core intact. “... maybe it doesn’t have to be so complicated.”
• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): After rotation shift, Davies starts Sunday vs. Cardinals. “The Cubs rotation shifted when right-hander Adbert Alzolay (finger blister) landed on the 10-day injured list last Tuesday.”
• Tommy Birch (Des Moines Register* {$}): The secret to Chicago Cubs pitcher Adbert Alzolay’s success? A 36-year-old catcher in Iowa. “He’s pretty smart,” Jose Lobaton said of Alzolay.
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Bryzzo for life: How Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo became Cubs’ dynamic duo. “The natural chemistry between the two franchise cornerstones has been a hand-in-glove fit.”
• Brendan Miller (Cubs Insider*): Can Cubs afford to let Jason Heyward work through new struggles? “... the league knows Heyward’s struggles against sliders are a massive problem.”
• Brian Sandalow (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): David Ross says Duffy, Bote, Hoerner ‘doing well’ as they recover from injuries. “...Ross gave positive updates...”
• Gabrielle Chung (People*): Bill Murray sings ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’ as he welcomes Chicago Cubs fans back to Wrigley Field. “This is what it feels like to be 100 percent!”

Food for Thought:

Thanks for reading!