The first day of the Cubs’ off-season was a rather busy one. Theo Epstein held his end of the season press conference in the afternoon and talked for close to an hour. Epstein answered every question and provided detailed answers to a variety of topics. Check back throughout the weekend as the information from his media gathering will be posted in multiple reports.
Dan Haren officially retired from baseball following Wednesday’s game at Wrigley Field. Haren made the announcement on Twitter. “Thank you baseball. I played this beautiful game for 30 years. I took off my jersey for the last time tonight. It was an honor. #ithrew88.”
Dan Haren did not pitch in the playoffs. Haren started and won the Cubs’ final regular season game. Haren said at the time he would be calling it a career when the Cubs playoff run was over. Haren was 4-2 in 11 starts with the Cubs. Haren allowed 29 runs, 26 earned, on 58 hits with 13 walks and 44 strikeouts (4.01 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 4.57 FIP). The Cubs were 7-4 in his 11 starts.
Paul Sullivan posted this photo on Instagram of Haren walking out of Wrigley for the last time.
For the year, Dan Haren was 11-9 in 32 starts between the Marlins and Cubs with a 3.60 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 4.61 FIP.
Dan Haren finished his 13-year career 153-131 in 391 games, 380 starts, with a 3.75 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 3.78 FIP. Haren completed 16 games with six complete game shutouts. In 2419 2/3 innings, Haren allowed 1105 runs, 1009 earned runs, on 2357 hits with 500 walks and 2013 strikeouts, a 4:1 strikeout to walk ratio for his entire career. And Haren’s career slash line at the plate was .200/.233/.278 with 26 doubles and two home runs.
Cubs Radio on The Score
In a change that has been expected for almost a calendar year, the Cubs will soon have a new home on the radio dial.
According to a report from Robert Feder, CBS Radio will officially move Cubs baseball broadcasts from WBBM AM 780 to WSCR AM 670, The Score. Feder explained, “Under a seven-year agreement signed in 2014, CBS Radio has a one-time opportunity to move the team to The Score in 2016.”
Feder could not get official confirmation of the move but did report the announcement should be made in the next 30 to 45 days that The Score is the permanent home of Cubs baseball on the radio.
The White Sox left The Score after 10 years which created the opportunity for CBS Radio to shift the Cubs broadcasts.
Derek Johnson
David Kaplan broke the news early Thursday that Derek Johnson was leaving the Cubs organization to be the pitching coach for the Milwaukee Brewers. Kaplan’s report was confirmed by multiple outlets. The Brewers have not announced Johnson will be added to Craig Counsell’s staff. Johnson will replace the recently fired Rick Kranitz.
Derek Johnson left his pitching coach’s job with Vanderbilt three years ago to join the organization. Johnson has been the Cubs’ Minor League Pitching Coordinator since October 2012.
Johnson was David Price’s pitching coach while the lefty was at Vanderbilt and he built quite the resume at one of the top programs in the country.
The Cubs have not named a successor to Derek Johnson.
News, Notes and Rumors
• The Cubs missed Addison Russell in the NLCS in the field and at the plate. Russell told Paul Sullivan the best is yet to come for the Cubs.
• According to a report from Paul Sullivan, the Cubs removed the ball from the top of the Schwarboard on Thursday. Kyle Schwarber told Sullivan he does not care where the ball ends up.
• Ken Rosenthal reported Scott Servais is the front-runner to be the Mariners next manager.
• Jim Hendry interviewed with Andy MacPhail for the Phillies’ GM job. Jerry Crasnick reported that if Hendry is not hired to be the team’s general manager he could still leave the Yankees to take a job as an advisor in Philly’s front office.
• The Reds named Mark Riggins their new pitching coach Thursday. Jeff Pico was fired as the Reds’ pitching coach and Jim Riggleman moved to Bryan Price’s bench coach. Riggins was the Cubs pitching coach under Mike Quade. Riggins replaced Larry Rothschild in December 2010 after Jim Hendry allowed Rothschild to leave the Cubs. Riggins was the Cubs Minor League Pitching Coordinator from 2008-2010.
• The Tribune: Next game for Cubs to win? The expectations game in 2016.
And last, but not least, David Kaplan reported Thursday that he would not be surprised to see the Cubs make a blockbuster trade this winter “for a younger, controllable arm.”
This Day In Cubstory
2014 – The Rays announced Joe Maddon had opted out of the final year of his contract.
1998 – Cubs granted free agency to Gary Gaetti, Glenallen Hill, Henry Rodriguez and Scott Servais
1987 – Felix Doubront, born
1987 – Dickie Noles was returned to the Cubs from the Tigers as part of a loan on Sept. 22
1984 – Rick Sutcliffe was the unanimous choice for ’84 National League Cy Young Award
1981 – Cubs purchased Junior Kennedy from the Reds for $50,000
1981 – Cubs released Bobby Bonds
1980 – Cubs granted free agency to Larry Biittner and Mick Kelleher
1979 – Cubs acquired Mike O’Berry from the Red Sox to complete the Ted Sizemore trade
1974 – Cubs traded Billy Williams to the Oakland A’s for Darold Knowles, Bob Locker and Manny Trillo
1935 – Gabby Hartnett was selected as the National League MVP by the BBWAA
1910 – Cubs lost the fifth and final game of the World Series to the A’s 7-2 at West Side Grounds.
1886 – Browns won the Championship Series in six games over the Chicago National League Ball Club
1885 – The Championship Series moved to Cincinnati and Chicago beat the Browns 9-2 behind Jim McCormick. Fred Pfeffer paced Chicago with three hits as they took a 3-2 lead over St. Louis in the series.