12:03 PM EDT, Thu March 28, 2024
Bleed Cubbie Blue 33 mins ago
BCB roundtable: 2024 Cubs season preview

BCB roundtable: 2024 Cubs season preview

A discussion of the season to come from the BCB staff. BCB’s front-page writers have done several of these roundtable discussions previewing Cubs seasons and postseasons, so here we are again to kick off the 2024 season. Josh, Sara, Thomas, Duane and I had a lively online conversation Wednesday afternoon. The online chat has been lightly edited for clarity. Ashley was unable to join us for this discussion. Al Yellon: This Cubs team is a potential division champion. Right? RIGHT? Duane Pesice: Yes. Thomas Smith: Absolutely. Josh Timmers: In this division? Of course....
Bleed Cubbie Blue 2 hours ago
Reflections on the cusp of the Cubs’ 2024 season

Reflections on the cusp of the Cubs’ 2024 season

Photo by @WillByington / www.willbyington.com This year, I believe the Cubs will be playing October playoff baseball. Remember this? That was Joe Maddon in November 2014, at the freewheeling presser held to introduce him as Cubs manager. The Cubs had just come off three of the worst seasons in recent franchise memory, as Theo Epstein rebuilt the ballclub. They had lost 101, 96 and 89 games those three years and many felt it might still be a few more years until any sort of playoff contender would inhabit Wrigley Field. Watch that clip. Joe Maddon believed playoffs...
Bleed Cubbie Blue 4 hours ago
Cub Tracks’ C you later

Cub Tracks’ C you later

Photo by Chris Coduto/ #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news and notes, links and discussion, plus more or less scientific food for thought.  Opening Day 2024! 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. There’s a regular season game tonight. BCB’s preseason roundtable will be published at 10:30 a.m. CT, with some small changes to my starters’...
Bleed Cubbie Blue 11 hours ago
BCB After Dark: Take me out to the ballgame

BCB After Dark: Take me out to the ballgame

The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks who will be the most critical player for the Cubs this year. It’s the end of another week here at BCB After Dark: the grooviest spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. It’s also the end of the winter. Tomorrow starts our busy season, so it’s good that you made it in ahead of the crowds. We’ve still got a few tables available. Let the hostess escort you to one. The season will start shortly. Bring your own beverage. BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or...
Bleed Cubbie Blue 23 hours ago
Today in 1984 Cubs history: The Gary Matthews/Bob Dernier trade changed everything

Today in 1984 Cubs history: The Gary Matthews/Bob Dernier trade changed everything

The Cubs struggled through a painful spring training, and then Dallas Green made a deal that defined the 1984 team. The Cubs lost 91 games in 1983, two more than they had in 1982, the first year of “Building A New Tradition” under Tribune Co. and general manager Dallas Green. In fact, they had hovered around .500 as late as June 19, when they were 30-32, but went 41-59 the rest of the way, the worst record in the National League. That got manager Lee Elia fired. When spring training began in 1984, the Cubs had made just two significant player moves since the end of...