Chili Davis, Brian Butterfield, Andy Haines join Joe Maddon’s coaching staff ... Chris Bosio, John Mallee, Gary Jones, Eric Hinske officially leave organization The Cubs formally announced several changes to Joe Maddon’s coaching staff Thursday while a multi-year contract with Jim Hickey was being finalized for him to become the team’s new pitching coach. The Cubs named Chili Davis as the Major League hitting coach and Brian Butterfield as the Major League third base coach. Additionally, … [Read more...]
Joe Maddon Expects Majority of Cubs Coaching Staff to Return for 2017
With the exception of possibly Dave Martinez, Joe Maddon expects coaching staff to return for 2017 season According to multiple reports, Joe Maddon’s coaching staff will largely remain intact next season. Maddon said prior to Game 5 that he “expects to invite all his coaches back for another season.” And if Maddon’s staff returns, it will be the third straight season without any changes to the leadership in the dugout. Even though Maddon expects his staff to return, he admitted to Patrick … [Read more...]
Addison Russell Making A lot of Noise with the Bat this Spring
Addison Russell is the youngest player in the Cubs projected every day lineup. The 22-year old showed with the glove last season he belonged in the big leagues. Russell is the anchor defensively for an infield with three former All-Stars. This spring, the perennial Gold Glove shortstop has flashed the power most scouts projected before he was drafted. Addison Russell held his own last season at the plate. In 142 games, Russell batted .242/.307/.389 with 29 doubles, one triple and 13 home runs … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: MLB Network to Air Harry Caray Documentary and Other Cubs News and Rumors
MLB Network is scheduled to air a documentary on the legendary Harry Caray. “Holy Cow! The Story of Harry Caray" will premier Feb. 2 at 8:00pm CST as part of the latest edition of MLB Network Presents. Lifelong Cubs’ fan William Peterson narrates the special that features Steve Stone, Pat Hughes, Rick Sutcliffe, Bob Costas, Joe Buck, Tim McCarver, Jeff Garlin, John McDonough and Tom Dreesen. According to the report from Carrie Muskat, the hour-long documentary “covers a rare … [Read more...]
Day Two of 2016 Cubs Convention: Joe Maddon and the Coaching Staff
The third session on Day Two of the 2016 Cubs Convention was also hosted by Len Kasper and featured Joe Maddon and his coaching staff. The session started late, there was a problem with the elevators, and Joe Maddon didn’t arrive until the Cubs’ coaching staff had been introduced. Dave Martinez, Chris Bosio, Lester Strode, Mike Borzello, John Mallee, Eric Hinske, Brandon Hyde and Gary Jones seem to be a tight-knit group that took on the personality of the team’s manager throughout last … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Hall of Fame Wednesday and Cubs News and Notes
The 2016 Hall of Fame Class will be announced Wednesday at 5:00pm CST on the MLB Network and MLB.com. One of the best players of his generation could set the record for the highest vote total. Ken Griffey Jr. is the only lock to receive The Call from the Hall. Junior could be joined by Mike Piazza, Trevor Hoffman, Jeff Bagwell and Tim Raines this summer at the induction ceremony in Cooperstown. And Griffey Jr. could break Tom Terrific's all-time mark. Tom Seaver (98.84 percent) owns the … [Read more...]
Cubs Invite Joe Maddon’s Entire Coaching Staff Back for Next Season
During his end of season press conference Thursday, Theo Epstein confirmed the coaching staff has been invited back for next year. The front office is very happy with the results on the field at the big league level. And unless another team calls, Joe Maddon’s entire coaching staff will return for the 2016 season. Along with Joe Maddon, Dave Martinez (bench coach), Chris Bosio (pitching coach), Lester Strode (bullpen coach), Mike Borzello (catching coach), John Mallee (hitting coach), Eric … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Twenty-Two Games Over, Starlin Castro’s Big Night and Other Cubs News and Notes
The Cubs started the six-game West Coast trip with a win in San Francisco and improved to a season-high 22 games over .500. The Cubs are 18-4 in August have the best road record in baseball (34-25) after winning 15 of the last 20 games outside of Wrigley Field. With Tuesday’s win, the Cubs created a little more space in the NL Wild Card race with the Giants and gained ground on the Pirates. The Cubs are 7 ½ games, eight in the loss column, in front of San Francisco for the second Wild Card … [Read more...]
Cubs Weekend Headlines: Lots of Home Runs, A Sweep and 20 Games Over .500
The Cubs had a very good weekend on the field. Joe Maddon’s team completed its fourth, four-game sweep of the season, and both gained ground in the division and created a little breathing room in the NL Wild Card race. The Cubs played to the conditions at Wrigley and smacked 12 home runs in the four-game series with the Braves. Miguel Montero had a huge weekend. Kris Bryant delivered run scoring hit after run scoring hit and went yard twice Sunday. And both Dexter Fowler and Addison Russell … [Read more...]
John Mallee Talks Hitting and the Cubs on Inside the Clubhouse
Cubs’ hitting coach John Mallee spent the last segment of Saturday’s Inside the Clubhouse (670 The Score) talking about several of his players with Bruce Levine and Jordan Bernfield. The Cubs have a dynamic group of young hitters John Mallee and Eric Hinske work with on a daily basis. Mallee discussed the challenges young players deal with in the majors, the adjustments that were recently made with Jorge Soler and the slight change Kris Bryant made to his swing. John Mallee explained the … [Read more...]