Mini Episode: Bullpen Frustration
Cubs lost a 5-4 lead in the ninth against the Reds Friday, giving another blown save to the Cubs staff. Alex lets off a little steam and talks about what to do moving forward.
May 24, 2019•10 min
Climbing the Ivy
The official Cubbies Crib show, featuring Fansided writers Alex Patt and Adam McGinnis. We occasionally bring on special guests to discuss certain Cubs-related topics with us. Check out cubbiescrib.com/
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Episodes
Episode 70: Bullpen Reinforcements Coming? -- LaStella's Power
It has been a rough go for the Chicago Cubs bullpen, and talk is Theo Epstein may begin to look at the market for some help. Alex and Adam discuss possible candidates on other teams. Also, how did former Cub Tommy LaStella find his power stroke? All of this and MORE on Climbing The Ivy!
May 23, 2019•54 min
Episode 69: Jon Lester, Hall of Famer?? -- Cubs stay hot
Alex and Adam discuss Jon Lester's career and what his chances are at one day having a plaque in Cooperstown, New York. The Chicago Cubs recent hot streak is also discussed as the pitching continues to get it done. All of this and MORE on Climbing the Ivy!
May 16, 2019•1 hr 8 min
Episode 68: Rise of Kris Bryant -- Roster Moves
The red-hot Chicago Cubs have gotten offensive contributions from all over the lineup, especially Kris Bryant who seems to be back in form. We also address roster moves made Wednesday which includes the return of Addison Russell. All of this and MORE on Climbing the Ivy.
May 09, 2019•1 hr 5 min
Episode 67: Ending April Above .500 -- Bring on the Cards
After starting 1-6, the Chicago Cubs are entering May above .500 and are ready to take on their rival St. Louis Cardinals. We discuss the upcoming series, some news and MORE!
May 03, 2019•1 hr 5 min
Episode 66: Ending April -- Roster Questions
Cubs are in the final week of April, and some questions arise of what will happen when Addison Russell is eligible to play again after his 40-game suspension. We also look at more of the successful pitching performances to date and much, much more.
Apr 25, 2019•1 hr 6 min
Episode 65: Jose Quintana Domination -- Big Z is Back!
Starting pitching pitching has looked much better for the Cubs as of late, especially the likes of Jose Quintana and Cole Hamels. Also, we welcome back Big Z to Chicago! All of this and so much more on Climbing the Ivy!
Apr 19, 2019•1 hr 2 min
Episode 64: Wrigley Homecoming -- Lester Injury
The Cubs finally said hello to Wrigley Field again, and they look to battle back from their 3-7 start. Alex and Adam have a few debates tonight on the old ballpark as well as talk about some of the Cubs early successes at the plate.
Apr 11, 2019•1 hr 10 min
Episode 63: 2019 Cubs Season Begins -- The Bad, The Ugly, Some Good
The 2019 Chicago Cubs season has begun. Unfortunately, it has not been to our liking for the most part. Alex and Adam discuss the Cubs play, other baseball events, and some popular TV shows! All of this and MORE on Climbing the Ivy!
Apr 03, 2019•1 hr 1 min
Episode 62: Your 2019 Chicago Cubs Have Arrived! -- Hendricks Extended
Join Alex and Adam as they preview the 2019 Chicago Cubs season! Starters, Relievers and Position Players are all broken down in detail. They also discuss the extension of Kyle Hendricks, the demotion of Ian Happ to AAA Iowa and more.
Mar 27, 2019•1 hr 1 min
Episode 61: MLB Extensions Galore -- Obscure Cubs Memories
MLB is saying goodbye to a legend and hello to numerous contract extensions. How do some of these extensions affect the Chicago Cubs going forward? Also, we talk about some former Cubs that you probably forgot about! We also preview next week's show which will cover the start of the 2019 season. All of this and MORE on Climbing The Ivy!!
Mar 22, 2019•51 min
Episode 60: Bullpen Worries -- Kimbrel Time?
The Chicago Cubs have seen a lot of good things this spring training...however there are concerns about the bullpen. Injuries have the several guys sidelined and many wonder how the pen will look on opening day. Is free agent star closer Craig Kimbrel an option? We debate that as well as other things. All of this and MORE on Climbing The Ivy!
Mar 14, 2019•52 min
Episode 59: Cactus League Crushers -- "Cubs of Old"
So far so good for many key Chicago Cubs players in Cactus League play. The likes of Yu Darvish, Kris Bryant, Mark Zagunis and Kyle Schwarber are off to very good starts. We discuss them and others on their spring performances so far. Also, we introduce a NEW SEGMENT we will have every show! All of this and MORE on Climbing The Ivy!
Mar 07, 2019•51 min
Episode 58: Cactus League Play Underway -- Feisty Kris Bryant
Cubs have begun 2019 Cactus League play. Alex, Adam and Cody discuss the progress of Yu Darvish, Jon Lester's approach to the season and Kris Bryant. Speaking of him, what is his future with the organization? Does the Nolan Arenado extension have any say on that. All of this and MORE on Climbing the Ivy!
Feb 28, 2019•58 min
Episode 57: PECOTA Who?! No Money WHAT!? -- Machado Signs
Chicago Cubs players are all at camp (most of them anyway) and are getting ready for their first Cactus League action. They will not let PECOTA projections get in their way! Chairman Tom Ricketts talked about not having any money to spend and fans are frustrated. Oh, and MANNY MACHADO FINALLY SIGNED! All of this and MORE on Climbing The Ivy!
Feb 21, 2019•48 min
Episode 56: Pitchers and Catchers Report! -- New Broadcast Deal
Chicago Cubs pitchers and catchers have reported, baseball is back! While players are working out, the front office addresses the media formally for the first time during the 2019 season. Also, the Cubs have announced their new 24/7 broadcast network which will begin in 2020. We discuss all of it. *NOTE* there is a 10-second delay before the show starts due to new recording procedure
Feb 14, 2019•39 min
Episode 55: Interview with baseball author Doug Wilson -- DH Rule Proposal
On a special episode of "Climbing the Ivy" we interview author Doug Wilson, who wrote the upcoming book "Let's Play Two: The Life and Times of Ernie Banks". Our guest shares amazing stories about the life of Mr. Cub, as well as talks about his experience interviewing different people Ernie knew and how he put his book together. The book will hit the market next week. Also, we address the new DH proposal for the National League and other new rule proposals. All of this and MORE on Climbing the Iv...
Feb 07, 2019•1 hr 1 min
Episode 54: "Chibera" Cubs Fans Wait For Spring
What was colder this week? The Hot Stove or Chicago? Well, probably Chicago. At least the Cubs did make some moves building some bullpen depth with a few free agent signings. We also pay a little tribute to "Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks. Tune into all of this and MORE on an "anything goes" episode of Climbing the Ivy!
Feb 01, 2019•44 min
Episode 53: Cubs Con wraps up -- Hall of Fame, 2019
Things on the Chicago Cubs front are overall quiet still…or, one could say, pretty boring… Cubs Con wrapped up last week and players will be reporting to camp in a few weeks. We also discuss the Hall of Fame class of 2019 as the BBWAA voted in four more guys into Cooperstown on Tuesday. All of this and MORE on Climbing the Ivy!
Jan 24, 2019•43 min
Episode 52: Cubs Convention Coming -- Tom Ricketts Speaks
The Chicago Cubs are ready for their annual fan convention this coming weekend, and there is a lot of frustration among fans. Chairman Tom Ricketts and his family will not be in attendance to answer fan questions, a decision which has been heavily criticized by many. Ricketts did several radio interviews Thursday on 670 the Score and ESPN 1000 discussing the current status of the team. Alex, Adam and Cody will react to all of this, talk about the upcoming convention and MORE on this episode of C...
Jan 18, 2019•42 min
Episode 51: Money, where art thou? -- Bullpen Fixing
Brad Robinson of WBBM 780 joins the Cubbies Crib crew to talk about the latest Cubs offseason news. As the offseason rolls on, and so do the concerns over the Cubs budget. More and more reports are suggesting the Cubs do not currently have the budget to get relief pitching...creativity is required. Theo Epstein has not given much information to the public (no surprise there) on what his real plan is. Speculation grows as more reports on budget issues come out. The bullpen clearly needs work, so ...
Jan 10, 2019•44 min
Episode 50: Happy New Year Cubs fans! -- Wrigley Field updates
It is officially 2019 and pitchers/catchers will be reporting before we know it. Some small moves have been made around baseball over the holidays, but no much...especially not the Cubs. We will give some thoughts on the current status of free agency and maybe talk some Wrigley Field updates. All of this and MORE on Climbing the Ivy!
Jan 04, 2019•46 min
Episode 49: Interview with Expanded Roster's Kelly Wallace -- Descalso Signs
Alex and Adam have a special interview with Kelly Wallace of "Expanded Roster" on this edition of Climbing the Ivy. Wallace interviewed Melisa Reidy, ex-wife of Cubs SS Addison Russell. Her experiences were shared in Wallace's article she posted on the 19th of December as she speaks out against Domestic Violence and continues to help empower others who have been victims of it. Also, we discuss the signing of Daniel Descalso, the prospect of signing Troy Tulowitzki and other baseball news. Won't ...
Dec 21, 2018•37 min
Episode 48: Winter Meetings Begins -- Salary Issues?
The Winter Meetings have begun and the Cubs have been…well, not very active so far. But there is still a way to go. Bryce Harper rumors are flying around like crazy and there are so many reports of the Cubs involvement, or lack thereof with the 26-year old star. Alex, Adam and Cody discuss the situation. Will the Cubs truly need to move payroll? How can they do it? That will also be discussed. Things are quiet now, but they can change in a flash during this time of year. All of this and MORE on ...
Dec 13, 2018•44 min
Episode 47: Theo's Tenders and Trades
The Winter Meetings are approaching, and the Tender/Non-Tender Deadline has passed. Cubs have made a few moves, including trading Tommy LaStella to the Angels and non-tendering newly acquired Ronald Torreyes. What will happen when the Winter Meetings arrive? We will discuss. Another move made was tendering a non-guaranteed contract to Addison Russell, who will be serving a 40-game suspension in 2019. This controversial move has a lot of mixed feelings from the fans. All of this and more on Climb...
Dec 06, 2018•42 min
Episode 46: Cubs Acquire Ronald Torreyes -- Chavez Leaves
The Chicago Cubs aqcuired Yankees infielder Ronald Torreyes for cash considerations and PTBNL. We will discuss what this can mean. Also, fans were surprised when reliever Jesse Chavez was not brought back as he has signed with Texas. How serious is losing Chavez? Or was it the Cubs plans not to bring him back? Lastly, it appears Joe Maddon, according to his comments, is going to change his coaching approach in 2019 and brush off the "lame duck" status. All of this and MORE on Climbing The Ivy!...
Nov 29, 2018•45 min
Episode 40: Jim Hickey Steps Down -- Reaction
Big news on the Chicago Cubs front, pitching coach Jim Hickey has left the organization for personal reasons. After one year as pitching coach in Chicago, he is now gone. What does this mean for the team and who can replace him? This and more minor Cubs news on Climbing The Ivy.
Nov 21, 2018•30 min
Episode 44: Crazy Cubs Rumors, Crazy Cubs Thoughts
WBBM 780 sports reporter Brad Robinson joins Alex and Adam to discuss some of the crazy rumors circling social media regarding the Chicago Cubs offseason, some of which that have no chance of happening or even make sense. What kind of things SHOULD Cubs fans be looking out for realistically over the next few months? Also, should Joe Maddon have gotten consideration for Manager of the Year? All of this and MORE on Climbing the Ivy!
Nov 15, 2018•44 min
Episode 43: Will the Cubs Spend Big Bucks? Jim Hickey Out? So Many Questions...
There are a lot of rumors going around about whether the Cubs will spend a lot of money in free agency or not this offseason. Theo Epstein is under a lot of pressure from the fans to see the 2018 team be avenged in 2019. Could they decide to not spend a lot afterall and stand pat? Or is there something big on the horizon? Also, is Jim Hickey out as Cubs pitching coach? Is this related to Joe Maddon's status as a "Lame Duck" manager in 2019? A lot to discuss on this edition of Climbing The Ivy....
Nov 08, 2018•42 min
Episode 42: Offseason Officially Begins
The MLB offseason is officially here, and there is a long way to go before Spring Training, 2019. So what is first on the agenda, and what should be done about various Cubs free agents? We will discuss on the show. Also we will share some more memories and play some fun games on the show, so do not miss out on the latest episode of Climbing The Ivy!
Nov 01, 2018•42 min
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