Cubs announce 2019 Major League Coaching Staff … Tommy Hottovy named pitching coach … Terrmel Sledge named assistant hitting coach … Chris Denorfia named quality assurance coach The Cubs named Tommy Hottovy as pitching coach, Terrmel Sledge as assistant hitting coach and Chris Denorfia as quality assurance coach. Furthermore, Mike Borzello has had associate pitching coach added to his title. Thursday’s announcement rounds out manager Joe Maddon’s 2019 major league coaching staff: Brian … [Read more...]
Cubs Make Hickey, Hyde Official and Add Venable to Coaching Staff
Jim Hickey named pitching coach … Brandon Hyde moves to bench coach … Will Venable added as first base coach … Jim Benedict named Special Assistant to Baseball Operations The Cubs have named Jim Hickey as Major League pitching coach, promoted Brandon Hyde from first base coach to bench coach and named Will Venable first base coach. In addition, the Cubs have hired Jim Benedict as Special Assistant to Baseball Operations. Jim Hickey, 56, in 2018 will begin his 15th season as a Major League … [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...]
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...]
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...]
A Q & A with Former Cubs Catcher John Baker
John Baker spent last season in the Cubs dugout after making the team out of Spring Training. Baker provided a memorable ending to the longest game in franchise history. Not only was Baker the winning pitcher in a 4-3 victory over the Rockies after tossing a scoreless 16th inning, Baker scored the winning on a Starlin Castro sacrifice fly. John Baker was behind the plate when Kyle Hendricks and Dallas Beeler made their first pitch in the big leagues and with assistance from Eli Whiteside … [Read more...]
Pitching Staff Projections for the 2015 Chicago Cubs
Pitchers and catchers don’t report for seven weeks and Opening Night against the Cardinals is more than four months away, but it’s never too early for projections. For the first time during the Theo Epstein-Jed Hoyer regime the team’s focus will be on winning ballgames. The front office, Joe Maddon and a few of the players have said the Cubs goal is to make the playoffs next season. The Cubs will have a young roster on Opening Night and will be depending on those players to produce while … [Read more...]
Cubs Announce Hiring of Dave Martinez and Joe Maddon’s Coaching Staff
The Cubs announced the hiring of Dave Martinez as the team’s bench coach Thursday and Joe Maddon’s entire coaching staff for the 2015 season. Brandon Hyde was shifted to first base coach, replacing Doug Dascenzo who was named first base coach on Oct. 9. Dascenzo will remain in the organization as outfield and baserunning coordinator with responsibilities in the major and minor leagues. Gary Jones remains with the team as Joe Maddon’s third base coach. A report from the Sun-Times after Rick … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Dave Martinez Inching Closer to a Job on Maddon’s Staff? And Other Cubs News and Rumors
Jed Hoyer said Wednesday he and Theo Epstein planned to talk to Joe Maddon about Dave Martinez joining the Cubs coaching staff. Martinez resigned his position with the Rays after being passed over for Tampa’s managerial opening. According to Marc Topkin, the Cubs asked for and received permission from the Rays to talk to Dave Martinez. Dave Martinez is still under contract through the 2015 season, despite the fact he resigned, and the Cubs or any team would have to receive permission from … [Read more...]
Report: Rays Would Not Keep Dave Martinez from Interviewing with Another Team
Updated 11:45am CST – According to a report from Bill Chastain, Dave Martinez has decided to leave the Tampa Bay Rays. Ken Rosenthal reported Monday night that the Rays “would not stand in Dave Martinez’s way if the Cubs or another club requested to interview him for a coaching position.” Could Martinez officially being able to talk to his old boss lead to the Cubs announcing Joe Maddon’s coaching staff? Dave Martinez was passed over for the Rays’ managerial opening but is under … [Read more...]