Cubs News and Notes: Joc Pederson sizzling, Anthony Rizzo optimistic, El Mago's gem, more |
Hello, Cubs fans out there! I hope everyone is having a great day.
Check out the latest news, photos, and tidbits from spring training with the Cubbies with our latest edition of Cubs News and Notes. We will try to have this feature several times a week so everyone gets a summary of what is happening regularly at Cubs camp. Let's get right to all the Cubs notes! Newcomer Joc Pederson has been tearing it up this spring, hitting .579 with five homers with 9 RBIs and a cactus-leading 2.110 OPS. "Joc's in a really good place. I think that's evident," David Ross said on Friday. "He's in a special place. If I could wrap him up and ship him off to Chicago and keep him right there, I would." He certainly will be a important piece in the middle of the lineup for 2021: .529 avg with a 1.471 SLG
Anthony Rizzo spoke to the media Friday and is optimistic that he will sign an extension with the Cubs. "I'm very optimistic," Rizzo said. "I want to be here for the rest of my career. I want to be here 25 years from now when the Cubs are in the World Series, throwing out first pitches. I’ve seen other Cubs greats come back. That motivates me to keep getting better.” He is also hopeful for another title in Chicago sooner rather than later: Anthony Rizzo on another #Cubs championship: "It's coming soon": https://t.co/I0YcVdITmi pic.twitter.com/PqkqmRBvUI
ICYMI: Cubs teammates Willson Contreras and Javy Baez teamed up on a nice web gem this week: You absolutely love to see it.@WContreras40 ?? @javy23baez pic.twitter.com/aKKhOckY9w
Another El Mago highlight that is classic El Mago: No-look, between the legs. Cubs catcher Austin Romine is still dealing with a knee injury that is testing the Cubs' depth at catcher. "He's day to day," Ross said Friday. "He's feeling better each and every day. There's just really no timetable. We're just trying to let it calm down a little bit and move forward from there." Jose Lobaton and P.J. Higgins are two backup catchers still on the spring roster that have been getting extra work in case Romine doesn't get back 100 percent by Opening Day. Cubs catcher Austin Romine has not played since Saturday. Currently working back from a right knee sprain. Not believed to be too serious, but Romine still under evaluation. No established timetable for return to games as of right now.
Veteran outfielder Cameron Maybin talks how he tries to bring people together and be friendly to everyone including those that aren't well liked in the locker room: Cameron Maybin has proven himself as one of baseball’s greatest people, and he reminded us why on @thecompoundpod pic.twitter.com/tXThsRKs0l
The Professor talks about how much Cubs fans mean while playing baseball at Wrigley Field: Kyle Hendricks can't wait for Opening Day in Chicago with fans.#Cubs | @Cubs pic.twitter.com/I2mjB1HcEW
Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer expects that Javy Baez, Kris Bryant, and Anthony Rizzo to all have bounce back seasons in 2021: Worrying about 2020 is so 2020. It's a new year on the North Side.@Cubs | #Cubs | #SpringTraining pic.twitter.com/loD8wDcbIU
CubsHQ's Dustin Riese gives his latest projections in the outfield: 2021 #Cubs Projections: Right Fielders including Jason Heyward: https://t.co/5lfvHehYaC pic.twitter.com/bGRZcrcbR2
The Cubs have been raking offensively early in spring camp with the highest OPS in the majors: #SpringTraining ???? OPS Leaders
Former Cub Albert Almora Jr. is still making highlight plays in the outfield: .@albertalmora le llega a todo. ???? #SpringTraining #MLBCuba ???? pic.twitter.com/bad7A463d7
The City of Chicago will dye the river green on Saturday for St. Patrick's Day: Surprise! City confirms overnight it will dye the river green today for St. Patrick’s Day. It seems they remained quiet about it until now to keep away the crowds. Details on @nbcchicago at 8am. pic.twitter.com/OLqg17XMZ9
Former Mets standout Gary Carter shared a cool photo of him and Andre Dawson in the 80's: Always friend !!! « The Kid and The Hawk » #Expos @Mets @Cubs pic.twitter.com/ChReWYdxSy
An interesting retro pic of George Altman in 1961: George Altman was a 2X All-star slugger for @Cubs, smacking 27 HRs & leading NL w 12 3Bs in '61. Went to the Tokyo/Lotte Orions in the Japanese Pacific League and became a hero. Here's his amazing @sabr story https://t.co/AXRVIKYZ9u pic.twitter.com/Z2zsSwvVaQ
Here is a rare photo of Frank Chance wearing an old-school Cubs uniform and check out that small mitt! What a Uni! Frank Chance, the "Peerless Leader," led @Cubs as playr-mgr to 4 pennants & 2 WS titles in 5 yrs (1906-10). The HoF 1B was a terror on the basepaths, had lifetime .394 OBP & anchored the most famous infield of the Deadball Era. His @sabr bio https://t.co/VVcLloYDN6 pic.twitter.com/NDTceOi4jz
Check out this 1932 photo of former Cub Bud Tinning: Bud Tinning, born #OTD, helped @Cubs to pennant in '32 then won 13 & led NL w 684 win % in '33. His spectacular 24-2 season with the Des Moines Demons of the Class A Western League in 1931 portended stardom. His @sabr story tells what happened https://t.co/N8PWZnRa6E pic.twitter.com/5eLqi55GWf
Get hot, stay hot ?? pic.twitter.com/hfughkwqKv
Only Javy. pic.twitter.com/HvMCruz7BT
.912 - #Cubs
.894 - #Angels
.887 - #Royals
.874 - #Athletics
.873 - #Brewers
.867 - #RedSox
