Cub Tracks’ that championship season

Welcome to today’s episode of Cub Tracks news and notes™, a greatest-hits collection of Chicago-style beat writers and bloggers, ground from #Cubs, #MiLB, and #MLB baseball, overheated, steeped in writers’ tears, and then cold-brewed overnight for maximum flavor.

No artificial intelligences were deployed in the fashioning of this missive. Cub Tracks is unsure whether any intelligence whatsoever was utilized, but we don’t click on or share anything from SI any more.

Today is, of course, the anniversary of this:

Which was fabulous, and created a greater sense of expectation for the team, which has not been fulfilled as they faltered in sustaining that momentum. Still, a great accomplishment, and one we will savor at least until it happens again, hopefully with a little less time elapsed.

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• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune*): This World Series continues a disturbing trend of diminishing audiences. Why is no one watching? “... a World Series needs superstars.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Cubs bench coach Andy Green interviews with Mets. “... from Joel Sherman of the New York Post.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Chicago Cubs reportedly bringing back old friend John Mallee. “... John Mallee was, once upon a time, the hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs when they were quite successful.” More from The Athletic {$}. And the Sun-Times*.
• Michael Brakebill (Cubbies Crib*): Blake Snell’s contract projection falls in line with the Chicago Cubs’ interests. “... the Cubs will need an effective starter to boost the starting rotation.”
• David Laurilia (Fangraphs*): Cubs prospect Luke Little is a large southpaw with low-slot sweep. “Over 36 appearances, all but four as a reliever, the 2020 fourth-round pick out of San Jacinto College had 105 strikeouts and surrendered 40 hits in 63.2 innings.”
• Ryan O’Rourke (Cubbies Crib*): Re-signing Jeimer Candelario should be a no-brainer for the Cubs on this deal. “... it’s not like the Cubs couldn’t use him assuming the price is right.”
• Jared Wyllys (Forbes*): Can the Cubs count on Pete Crow-Armstrong at center field next year? “... there are major league scouts who question Crow-Armstrong’s readiness.”
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation*): Does Cody Bellinger’s expected timeline make a Cubs reunion more likely? “... a market-jumping deal is unlikely.”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): MLB scouts on Cody Bellinger and the Cubs’ need for a big bat in their lineup. “There seemed to be a general consensus among the four talent evaluators: Bellinger would age well all things considered...”
• Sam Dykstra (MLB.com*): Kevin Alcántara among AFL Home Run Derby participants. “The Derby will be streamed live from Mesa on MLB.com at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 local.” Saturday, November 4.
• Joe Trezza (MLB.com*): Alcántara, Triantos stay hot in Fall League. Triantos “leads the Fall League with 31 hits in 19 games. His .437 average ranks second on the circuit.” Alcantara has five homers.
• David Appelman (Fangraphs*): Job Posting: Chicago Cubs – Software Engineer & Data Engineer.
• Patrick Elwood (WGN9*): From Melrose Park to Memphis: Native suburban boy’s Halloween costume pays homage to Cubs’ Harry Caray. “Anthony has cerebral palsy and is dependent on a wheelchair.”

Food for Thought:

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