MLB agent Scott Boras joins David Kaplan to discuss the issues plaguing baseball during the coronavirus, what is preventing the players and owners from coming to an agreement, and what will baseball look like once it's back. Later on in the podcast, The NBC Sports Chicago Cubs coverage team of Gordon Wittenmyer and Tim Stebbins discusses the state of baseball with new member Maddie Lee. (1:25) - The players and owners have been working on a resolution since March (6:06) - Both the owners and pla...
May 15, 2020•32 min•Ep. 356
Chicago in the '90s was all about Michael Jordan and the Bulls, so what was it like for the other major teams during that time? Host Laurence Holmes discusses this with four coaches who led teams in the shadow of the Bulls during that time. From the Blackhawks former coach Craig Hartsburg, from the Cubs Jim Riggleman, from the White Sox Gene Lamont, and from the Bears Dave Wannstedt, all come together to discuss one of the most important times in Chicago sports history. (0:43) - During the early...
May 14, 2020•33 min•Ep. 355
As the owners send another proposal to the players to try and start the season, there is a chance this all could help the Cubs. Host David Kaplan is joined by NBCS Chicago Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer as they discuss the new proposal by the owners, how this stalled season can help the Cubs, and David Kaplan predicts what Theo Epstein with pursue after he reaches his 10 years with the Cubs. (1:40) - Chances the players pass the owners proposal (5:45) - Are the Cubs in a tough spot financially? ...
May 13, 2020•34 min•Ep. 354
As Major League Baseball plans to send another proposal to the Players Union to try and prepare for a season, maybe they should take some extra precautions before agreeing. Host David Kaplan is joined by Gordon Wittenmyer and they talk with Dr. Robert Citronberg, Director of infectious disease for Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, and he discusses his concerns about MLB wanting to start a season as soon as possible. Later on in the podcast, Kap and Gordon discuss former Cub Starlin Castro and ...
May 08, 2020•30 min•Ep. 353
In a special bonus episode of the Cubs Talk podcast NBCS Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer, discusses the 65 year anniversary of the dropped ball by Hall of Famer Willie Mays off the bat of Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks. Gordon is joined by author of the Willie Mays biography "24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid", John Shea as they discuss that play, the friendship of Mays and Banks, and the career of one of baseball's greatest players, Willie Mays. (2:08) - Willie Mays dropped 2 bal...
May 07, 2020•42 min•Ep. 352
As Major League Baseball figures out when and how they will start their season, baseball's agent of the stars, Scott Boras writes his solution to start baseball, but is it viable? Host David Kaplan and NBCS Chicago Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer discuss Boras' plan, and could it work. They also discuss the passing of former Cubs executive Eldred "Salty" Saltwell. (1:22) - Scott Boras says teams should restart spring training right now (10:05) - Details of Boras' plan (14:57) - Teams want MLB to ...
May 06, 2020•34 min•Ep. 351
World Series champion and former Cubs manager Joe Maddon joins host David Kaplan and NBCS Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer as they discuss how he connects with players, how will baseball be different when it returns, and does he have a similar philosophy to coaching as NBA Champion Phil Jackson. (5:06) - Learning how to manage people to get the most out of them (11:28) - Comparing Maddon's style to Phil Jackson's style of coaching (17:10) - Maddon describes how different it was managing Tommy La S...
May 01, 2020•38 min•Ep. 350
Host David Kaplan is joined by NBCS Chicago Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer and Lance McAlister, host at 700 WLW in Cincinnati, as they discuss the spending spree of the Reds this offseason including former Cub Nick Castellanos, will the Reds compete with the rest of the NL division, and should Pete Rose finally be able to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame. (1:54) - Will there be baseball in 2020 (5:10) - The Reds were ready to fight for a division title this year (11:00) - Should Pete Rose go into...
Apr 29, 2020•36 min•Ep. 349
The 2020 Cubs roster is mired in uncertainty. There are players are up for extensions and deals, and management figuring out is this still a team with a winning window. It sounds similar to another Chicago team, the 1998 Last Dance Bulls. Host David Kaplan and NBCS Chicago Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the similarities of the 2 teams. Later in the podcast, they get into the financial uncertainty of MLB and how teams will move forward as a result of the pandemic. (2:12) - Are we looking ...
Apr 24, 2020•31 min•Ep. 348
In 2015 the Cubs were riding high and on their way to the 1st playoff game in years and the start of the consecutive playoff trips for the current Cubs. Jeff Nelson, Tim Stebbins, and Nate Poppen discuss all the details about that win and some details you may not have known about that game. (2:25) - Why were the Cubs in the Wildcard game seemingly too early in the rebuild (10:00) - Tommy La Stella started at 3rd base and not Kris Bryant (15:58) - The Schwar-BOMB to put the Cubs up early in the g...
Apr 22, 2020•39 min•Ep. 347
Host David Kaplan and NBCS Chicago Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer, discuss the different opinions given by the players on if the MLB should rush to try and start the 2020 season. Later on, they remember and discuss the 2 lives of the Cubs family that were lost this week, Jim Frey and Glenn Beckert. (2:10) - Players discuss the potential plan of playing baseball in empty stadiums (6:35) - There is a split amongst people who want baseball now and people who want to wait (11:44) - If baseball does ...
Apr 17, 2020•33 min•Ep. 346
In an NCAA tournament-style bracket, the Cubs Talk pod crew of Jeff Nelson, Nate Poppen, and Tim Stebbins discuss and rank the best Cubs pitchers in the last 20 years. How would you rank them and who would you take at the end? (2:00) - Which pitcher gets to be the number 1 seed in the tournament? (7:40) - Ryan Dempster vs Jeff Samardzija (15:25) - Kerry Wood vs Greg Maddux (21:50) - Jake Arrieta vs Matt Clement (28:35) - Jon Lester vs Mark Prior (32:54) - Championship Round...
Apr 15, 2020•37 min•Ep. 345
Host David Kaplan is joined by NBCS Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer as they take questions from fans including, could the Cubs have traded for Justin Verlander, is Anthony Rizzo the greatest 1st basemen in Cubs history, and is Jon Lester a hall of famer pitcher. All those and more on the Cubs Talk podcast. (2:04) - As Lester's career closes, is he on his way to Cooperstown? (7:50) - Could MLB start the season with a fan only vote All-Star game? (11:40) - Will the Cubs add to the team next offseas...
Apr 10, 2020•32 min•Ep. 344
In for David Kaplan, Jeff Nelson is joined by Luis Medina, Danny Rocket, and Michael Cerami of Outside the Ivy as they discuss creative ways Major League Baseball can start its season, how has this impacted baseball fans everywhere, and will the new rules the MLB will use will benefit new manager David Ross. (1:20) - Staying busy with no baseball to talk about (8:00) - How will David Ross manage in his 1st year? (14:00) - How can baseball start without fans? (21:20) - Electronic strike zones pos...
Apr 09, 2020•34 min•Ep. 343
Filling in for host David Kaplan, NBCS Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer is joined by White Sox beat writer Vinnie Duber to discuss Major League Baseball trying to find ways to start the season. But what are the issues they have to consider before starting? Gordon and Vinnie discuss those issues including a possible shortened season and what these issues could mean for a re-tooling Cubs team and a rebuilding White Sox team. (2:48) - What are the possible benefits with starting the season in Arizona...
Apr 08, 2020•32 min•Ep. 342
The 2016 Cubs World Series win was as epic a game 7 as any, but was it the greatest game 7 ever? Host David Kaplan is joined by NBCS Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer as they debate the Cubs World Series win. (1:50) - Is it an overreaction to say the Cubs World Series win was a great game? (5:45) - Does the importance of the Cubs winning make it the greatest ever? (8:20) - Comparisons to other game 7s across sports
Apr 03, 2020•12 min•Ep. 341
In for host David Kaplan, Jeff Nelson, Tim Stebbins, and Nate Poppen discuss and rank the best position players for the Cubs since the year 2000 in an NCAA style tournament. Did your favorite make the cut? (2:01) - Rankings 1-16 (7:00) - (5) Alfonso Soriano vs (12) Sammy Sosa (14:40) - (3) Kris Bryant vs (14) Jason Heyward (22:26) - (2) Javier Baez vs (15) Giovanni Soto (33:58) - The tournament final
Apr 01, 2020•37 min•Ep. 340
David Kaplan is joined by NBC Sports Chicago's new Cubs Insider, Gordon Wittenmyer. They discuss where it all went wrong for cubs pitching and what the 2020 team vibe was like when Gordon was with them at Spring Training in Arizona. 2:50- Vibe at Cubs Spring Training before it was suspended 4:30- Was getting rid of Joe Maddon the right choice? 12:50- Do the Cubs need to make a move to get under the luxury tax?
Mar 27, 2020•22 min•Ep. 339
As the pause on baseball continues, host David Kaplan takes to Twitter and answers fan questions. Kap discusses everything from his starstruck interview to the season suspension and Kris Bryant’s contract. Follow Kap on Twitter @thekapman to send him your questions for future mailbag episodes. (1:48) Ernie Banks Interview (8:40) If Kap could pick a statue at Wrigley what would it be? (12:08) Kris Bryant’s contract (14:32) Why do the Cubs keep holding onto Kyle Schwarber?...
Mar 25, 2020•19 min•Ep. 338
As baseball takes a pause on the season, Jeff Nelson, Nate Poppen, and Tim Stebbins discuss their favorite memories of Cubs baseball to lightened up the mood. Later on, they discuss the Bulls Rewind on NBCS Chicago and discuss a 23 returning to Cubs baseball, hall of famer Ryne Sandberg. (1:30) - Response to David Kaplan on his favorite shortstops in Chicago baseball history (3:50) - Small memories that make Cubs fans smile (8:00) - Cubs vs White Sox series (17:20) - Michael Jordan un-retires an...
Mar 20, 2020•30 min•Ep. 337
Host David Kaplan is cooped up inside as well but still takes your questions and comments on the Cubs and what the season will look like in 2020. Make sure to check this episode out, he may have answered your question. Follow Kap on twitter @thekapman to send him your questions for future mailbag episodes. (1:34) - Does a shorter season help out an old pitching staff? (3:45) - Will there be any baseball played in 2020? (7:02) - Will it be difficult for David Ross to manage guys he's played with ...
Mar 18, 2020•15 min•Ep. 336
By all accounts, Kris Bryant seemed to be one of the best defending 3rd basemen in the league, but could we be wrong? To discuss this, David Kaplan is joined by NBCS Chicago's number cruncher Chris Kamka, and Mark Simon of Sports Info Solutions to discuss how to measure the defensive play in baseball. And don't worry, Javy Baez is still the best shortstop in baseball. (1:45) - Why were the Cubs so bad at defense last season (7:20) - Should the defensive metrics change along with the game (12:55)...
Mar 11, 2020•35 min•Ep. 334
Host Davis Kaplan is live from Arizona and gives updates on how Cubs Spring training is going. He discusses the starting rotation, a Brandon Morrow injury setback and what that could mean for the Cubs bullpen, and the progression of the Cubs hitters. (1:10) - Starting rotation update, Yu Darvish skips an outing (3:12) - Bullpen update, Brandon Morrow will miss 1st month of action (5:41) - Hitter's update, Jason Kipnis is getting every chance to start at 2nd base (8:20) - Cubs are trying to move ...
Mar 06, 2020•10 min•Ep. 333
Even though the Cubs had a lackluster offseason, the roster wold suggest that they can still make noise in the NL Central. Filling in for host David Kaplan, Jeff Nelson and Nate Poppen play sound from Jed Hoyer and Nico Hoerner to discuss the expectations for this season, and relive the mic'd up Anthony Rizzo experience. (1:56) - Jed Hoyer on this season's expectations (5:10) - Reaction to Jed Hoyer's comments on expectations (9:20) - Nico Hoerner on being called up and expectations for this yea...
Mar 04, 2020•24 min•Ep. 332
NBCS Chicago is celebrating Black History Month with special episodes to discuss the impact of the black athlete in sports. In the final episode of the series, Laurence Holmes is joined by his "Football Aftershow" teammate and former Chicago Bear Alex Brown to discuss, making coaching in the NFL more diverse, is the Rooney Rule helping, and the common practice of moving black quarterbacks to other positions. (4:20) - Alex Brown on being pushed to not play quarterback in high school (9:15) - Jale...
Feb 28, 2020•49 min•Ep. 331
As the season draws closer, it's time to discuss every player that will be on the final roster on opening day. We start with Cubs veteran pitcher Jon Lester. Jeff Nelson sits in for David Kaplan and his he joined by NBCS Cubs writer Tim Stebbins and NBCS producer Nate Poppen to debate can Jon Lester help stabilize the starting rotation for at least 1 more season, and where do you place him in the rotation. (1:37) - One word to describe Jon Lester (5:42) - Lester didn't start his Cubs career very...
Feb 28, 2020•28 min•Ep. 330
As new manager David Ross takes over for Joe Maddon, he intends to tweak the culture of the Cubs and set his own mark on the team. Filling in for host David Kaplan, Jeff Nelson is joined by Outside the Ivy and Bleacher Nation's Michael Cerami to discuss what kind of impact David Ross will have on the 2020 Cubs, what should be expected from the pitching staff and bullpen, and the uncertainty of who plays in the outfield. (1:36) - What does Ross' impact look like? (8:28) - Concerns with the pitchi...
Feb 26, 2020•35 min•Ep. 329
NBCS Chicago is celebrating Black History Month with special episodes to discuss the impact of the black athlete in sports. Chicago Sun Times feature story writer Evan F. Moore sits down with former Blackhawk and analyst for NBCS Chicago Jamal Mayers to discuss being a black athlete in hockey and what he's doing to help grow hockey in non traditional hockey communities. (3:00) - Why was it important for Jamal to write about his life in his book (10:58) - Ray Emery's impact on hockey (16:00) - De...
Feb 21, 2020•49 min•Ep. 328
Kris Bryant has been deemed the lead-off hitter for your Chicago Cubs for the 2020 season. Will he be the key to unlock the offense for the Cubs this season? Does this fix the problems the Cubs have had as lead-off? Host David Kaplan is joined by the Chicago Tribune's Mark Gonzales as they discuss the Cubs putting Bryant at lead-off, they also discuss will Theo Epstein's future with the Cubs, and the back and forth between Joe Maddon and Theo Epstein. (1:40) - Can Kris Bryant be successful at le...
Feb 21, 2020•18 min•Ep. 327
Despite a disappointing off season the Cubs still have a competitive team for the 2020 season. Host David Kaplan has a round table discussion with the NBCS Chicago Cubs content team of Jeff Nelson, Danny Rocket, and Tim Stebbins to discuss how they see this team performing in the 2020 season and the subtle jabs at former manager Joe Maddon. (1:30) - Where is the excitement level for the 2020 season (4:14) - Cubs might perform better than expected this year (9:09) - Theo Epstein telling manager c...
Feb 19, 2020•22 min•Ep. 326
