Cub Tracks’ summer Stock

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.

I’d have checked deGrom’s hat, just in case. I mean, it LOOKS clean. But ya never know. He came down with a shoulder and the Cubs’ fortunes looked brighter, even down 3-0.

Here are the highlights:

And now, the news. Cubs are still in first.

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.)

• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): It’s a brand-new day for Negro League players, whose stats are now ranked with all MLB players. Here’s a look at the new leaderboards. Historian and researcher Larry Lester, chairman of SABR’s Negro Leagues Committee, called it a “long and bittersweet” journey for the recognition of Black ballplayers.
• Jared Wyllys (Forbes* {$}): Chicago Cubs’ vaccination status gains clarity while casting doubt about reaching 85% goal. “The team has prodded and encouraged, and it appears as if the unconvinced among them are not going to change their minds.”
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Chicago Cubs understand MLB’s crackdown on sticky substances — but consistent enforcement by umpires is a concern: ‘You’re implementing some human error’. “Because you’re implementing some human error now with the umpires being able to check, so hopefully they know what they’re looking for,” Kyle Hendricks told the Tribune. Russell Dorsey adds on. Sahadev Sharma elaborates {$}.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs’ Adbert Alzolay to return From IL during homestand. “Unless the Cubs push back Zach Davies or Jake Arrieta in the rotation, Alzolay would not rejoin the rotation sooner than Sunday.”
• Brendan Miller (Cubs Insider*): Tommy Nance’s spin rate has dipped in June. “Nance’s recent spin rate dip is due to reasons we can’t observe with public data.”
• Bryan Smith (Bleacher Nation*): Dakota Mekkes is throwing strikes and banging down the Major League door. “Mekkes has traded some strikeouts for an increase in soft contact and groundballs...”
• Bill Ladson (MLB.com*): Javier Báez adds to bat collection with each HR. “I never use the same bat,” Báez said after the game. Tim Stebbins talks about this.
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Kris Bryant’s X-rays negative after being drilled in right hand against Mets. “David Ross said after the game that Bryant’s X-rays came back negative.”
• Todd Johnson (Cubs Insider*): Prospect Profile: Yohendrick Pinango filling out physically while filling box score. “Pinango is displaying his ability to hit to all fields while also being a top-of-the-order kind of bat. And here’s the kicker: He’s just 19 years old.”
• Tracy Swartz (Chicago Tribune* {$}): ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ star Elisabeth Moss talks Wrigley Field return to full capacity: ‘It was awesome’. “You would have thought it was a playoff game,” Moss told Jimmy Kimmel Monday.
• Steve Greenberg (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Ex-Cubs star Rick Sutcliffe took on a Brave new world and had a grand old time. “The Cy Young winner and longtime ESPN analyst knew of a team in need and, well, let’s just say it was a family affair he’ll never forget.”
• Tim Stephens (The Herald-Dispatch*): Former Herd star with Cubs bullish on women coaches. “Rachel Folden instructs women seeking a job in baseball in a similar fashion to how she coaches hitting — see what you want and go after it hard.”
• Carina Lopez (NBC Sports Chicago*): Drawing gives Cubs fans the chance to ‘Work From Home Plate’ at Wrigley Field. “The randomly selected winner will have the opportunity to work from home plate at Wrigley Field Monday, August 23, from 9-10 a.m.”

Food for Thought:

Thanks for reading.