In an act of solidarity with many of the Black athletes across baseball and other sports in America, Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward chose to not play vs. the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. Heyward encouraged his teammates to play without him and do what they felt was right. Host David Kaplan is joined by the NBCS Cubs coverage team of Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins as they discuss if Heyward's teammates should have joined him, and how Heyward came to the decision to not play. Later...
Aug 28, 2020•47 min•Ep. 386
The Cubs are leading the NL Central and are doing so in part because the pitching staff is holding up. David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer are joined by Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy to discuss the first place pitching staff, Hottovy's journey to the majors and his thoughts on potentially adding a pitcher at the trade deadline. (1:16) - Alec Mills' performance vs the Detroit Tigers (8:30) - Hottovy on how the Cubs are addressing the pandemic (12:25) - The growth of Yu Darvish in a Cub uniform...
Aug 26, 2020•35 min•Ep. 385
It's been a long time since Chicago's baseball teams played meaningful games against each other but that time has come. Host David Kaplan is joined by Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer to discuss the upcoming Crosstown series with Chuck Garfien and Adam Hoge of the White Sox Talk podcast. Who will take the first series of 2020? Get ready for a matchup you're not going to want to miss. (1:45) - The Cubs and Sox are playing meaningful baseball for the first time in a long time (8:30) - Would the Whit...
Aug 21, 2020•25 min•Ep. 384
The Cubs have had a rough stretch recently but avoid losing 5 in a row. Host David Kaplan and Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the losing streak along with analyzing Kris Bryant's production or lack thereof at the lead-off spot. They also dive into the hottest topic in baseball, Padres star player Fernando Tatis Jr.'s grand slam and the "unwritten" rules of baseball. (1:28) - Kris Bryant is not producing at leadoff (7:49) - Was Tatis Jr. wrong for hitting a grand slam? (12:40) - Cubs avoid...
Aug 19, 2020•31 min•Ep. 383
The Cubs continue to win and win in dominating fashion but can they keep it up? David Kaplan is joined by Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer, and Cubs beat writer Maddie Lee as they discuss the Cubs winning ways, and discuss a scenario where Cleveland star Francisco Lindor is a Cub. Later on in the pod, David Kaplan is joined by Connor McKnight, host of the Baseball from Home Podcast on the House of L Network as they discuss the future of baseball after the 60 game season. (1:20) - Cubs dominate Cle...
Aug 16, 2020•38 min•Ep. 382
With the Cardinals being shutdown by MLB for a coronavirus outbreak in the organization, the Cubs had an impromptu 4 days off after stringing together one of the best records in baseball so far. Will having the days off help or hurt them going forward? David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the delay for the Cubs, they also discuss Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger breaking protocol and going out in Chicago, and they discuss a what if scenario that could have changed the Cubs getting Aroldis Ch...
Aug 12, 2020•26 min•Ep. 381
The Cubs are 10-2 but they still have a glaring issue that needs to be addressed in order to make a significant run to the playoffs, the closer. Host David Kaplan is joined by NBCS Chicago Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer as they discuss ways and options the Cubs can help their closing situations. Later on, they discuss did Theo Epstein take a shot at Joe Maddon and how the Cubs are leading the charge in baseball for safety protocols. (1:20) - Should Jose Quintana be the closer? (7:05) - Are the C...
Aug 07, 2020•30 min•Ep. 380
The Cubs have the second best record in baseball, but the biggest story is that a second team has had an outbreak of the coronavirus in the Cardinals who the Cubs play this weekend. David Kaplan is joined by the NBCS Chicago Cubs coverage team of Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins as they discuss the Cardinals outbreak and what MLB is doing to combat it. Later on in the pod the crew discusses the hot start by the Cubs and if their record is a result of a soft early schedule. (1:30) ...
Aug 05, 2020•34 min•Ep. 379
In the first installment of the NL Central round table, David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer were joined beat writers from the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers. In part two they discuss the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates with Derrick Goold lead Cardinals beat writer for St. Louis Post-Dispatch and John Perrotto Pirates beat writer. The group discusses the early standings of the NL central and will the season be able to continue if there's another outbreak like the Marlins. (2:...
Jul 31, 2020•37 min•Ep. 378
The Cubs are off to a great start in the 60 game sprint and look like they are well on their way to the playoffs. David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the fantastic start the Cubs are on, the pitching rotation and how long they can hold up, and they dive into the Marlins coronavirus outbreak and what that can mean for the rest of the league. (1:20) - Marlins outbreak (5:20) - Issues with the Cubs bullpen (15:20) - Kris Bryant isn't as hot at the plate right now (22:00) - Nico Hoerner is lo...
Jul 29, 2020•34 min•Ep. 377
David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer are joined by David Axelrod, former advisor to Barack Obama, and now senior contributor to CNN to talk baseball and the Cubs. They dive into finally getting baseball back, the Cubs coming to the White House, and Axelrod tells stories of the split Obama household of Cub and Sox fans and his own personal connection to baseball and the Cubs. (1:45) - Axelrod's love of baseball and Chicago baseball (9:00) - The Cubs visit the White House (14:00) - MLB using its pla...
Jul 24, 2020•47 min•Ep. 376
With the season just about underway, the NL Central is up for grabs and it looks like it's going to be a tight race all the way through. David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer are joined by 2 representatives of MLB.com, Mark Sheldon beat writer for the Cincinnati Reds, and Adam McCalvy beat writer for the Milwaukee Brewers. The roundtable debates the NL Central rosters, and who has the best chance to come out on top as king of the division. (1:30) - Who is the favorite to win the NL Central division...
Jul 22, 2020•34 min•Ep. 375
In a mashup for the ages, the Cubs Talk Pod and the White Sox Talk pod join together to preview the 2020 MLB season as both the Cubs and Sox prepare to start. David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Maddie Lee are joined by Chuck Garfien and Vinnie Duber of the White Sox Talk podcast as they compare rosters, rank the best players between the two teams, and come to a decision on who they think will have the best season in 2020. Let's play some baseball! (2:16) - How confident are you that the season...
Jul 17, 2020•35 min•Ep. 374
In the most unprecedented season in MLB history, teams must go through a tough shortened season in possibly the most difficult run in baseball history. Host David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the level of difficulty for teams to win a championship this year and they discuss the anniversary of the Ryan Dempster trade and the details that surrounded it. In the second half of the podcast, Kaplan interviews Joan Ryan author of the Book Intangibles all about the importance of team chemistry i...
Jul 15, 2020•40 min•Ep. 373
Former Cub and now mental skills coach for the Cubs, John Baker joins the podcast with David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer to discuss the mental aspect the players are going through in the return to play plan. They dive into keeping players focused, how the lessons of Cubs psychologist, the late Ken Ravizza still impacts the Cubs, and how the Cubs are operating under the new guidelines. (2:23) - Biggest mental challenges Cubs players are dealing with (10:55) - Ken Ravizza's lessons still impact t...
Jul 10, 2020•40 min•Ep. 372
The Cubs and the MLB seem to have a shortage of testing materials to test players for coronavirus after it was agreed upon by the players and the owners. David Kaplan, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Maddie Lee discuss the issue and what could it mean for the season. They also dive into the lack of Cubs pitching with Jose Quintana being sidelined, and they make predictions on how many games the Cubs will win in the shortened season. (1:26) - How is baseball going to happen if there aren't enough tests fo...
Jul 08, 2020•29 min•Ep. 371
While trying to get the season going, the MLB and baseball as a whole is starting to address another problem, the lack of diversity. NBCS Cubs reporter Maddie Lee is joined by former Cub and professor Doug Glanville, host Laurence Holmes, and Eugene McIntosh of Its the Bigs media to discuss ways MLB and baseball needs to address the issues and how they can benefit from it. (2:00) - Ian Desmonds comments really struck a chord in baseball (12:06) - Youth baseball for young black athletes (26:09) -...
Jul 03, 2020•39 min•Ep. 370
As the start to the season looms closer, there are still things to consider before the first pitch gets thrown. David Kaplan and Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer discuss potential hurdles MLB could face and the different scenarios the League should be looking at. Later on in the pod, they dive into comments made by Rockies infielder Ian Desmond on the state of race and inclusion in baseball and in America. (1:30) - Could the Cubs play the White Sox in the "Field of Dreams" game (7:39) - Ian Desmon...
Jul 01, 2020•35 min•Ep. 369
David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer are joined by Cub Ian Happ as they discuss why the negotiations got so ugly between the players and owners and what will baseball look like for the 2020 season and beyond. Later on, Kaplan and Gordon talk about how can baseball proceed after a slew of positive Coronavirus tests from the Phillies. (1:42) - Happ on what baseball looks like to the public after ugly negotiations (6:10) - Will some players not participate this season due to health concerns? (10:15) ...
Jun 26, 2020•33 min•Ep. 368
Baseball is back and ready to start. David Kaplan and the NBCS Cubs coverage team of Maddie Lee, Gordon Wittenmyer, and Tim Stebbins discuss what the 60 game season will look like, how the will the Cubs perform under the new conditions, and David and Gordon have a heated debate on the Jose Quintana trade. (1:40) - Could this have been worked out earlier to get in more games? (7:40) - After the back and forth between the players and owners, who has come out as the winner? (13:40) - If fans are al...
Jun 24, 2020•37 min•Ep. 367
Host David Kaplan and Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer discuss the report that a deal was in place between the MLB owners and the players, but was a deal actually ready? TheY discuss what remains an issue, the meeting between Commissioner Rob Manfred and Players Union director Tony Clark, and later on in the pod, they discuss a trade that could have been between the Cubs and the Rockies for a swap with Kris Bryant and Nolan Arenado. (1:18) - What are both sides (Players & Owners) saying about ...
Jun 19, 2020•26 min•Ep. 366
Host David Kaplan and Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer, discuss the infamous 1998 MLB home run chase between Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire with former Cubs catcher and current Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais. Later on in the podcast, Cubs writers for NBCS Chicago Maddie Lee and Tim Stebbins join the podcast to discuss MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's comments that he's not confident that there will be a season. (4:31) - Servais on was Sosa selfish as a teammate (7:50) - Did Sosa take steroids? ...
Jun 17, 2020•35 min•Ep. 365
David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer discuss drafting Ed Howard and Anthony Rizzo’s new workout plan, plus Leila Rahimi talks with former Cub Matt Szczur about his Sammy Sosa-inspired artwork and what it was like having Mark McGwire as his hitting coach. 1:30 Reaction to drafting Mt. Carmel’s Ed Howard in the first round 4:45 If there was a baseball season, would Howard have been on the board at 16? 7:00 MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred says “100 percent” we’re going to play.. Do you believe him? 9:30...
Jun 12, 2020•36 min•Ep. 364
On this Cubs Talk Podcast David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer debate if Sammy Sosa will return to Wrigley Field and the chances of baseball returning in 2020. 1:30 Sammy Sosa says he wants to return to the Cubs 3:30 Would bringing Sammy back to Wrigley be the feel-good story we need right now? 6:00 Gordon won’t vote for Sosa for the Hall of Fame 10:30 St. Louis Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt says MLB isn’t very profitable 13:15 Is the latest MLB proposal a step towards playing baseball in 2020? 16:0...
Jun 10, 2020•31 min•Ep. 363
Former Cub and now field coordinator for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bobby Scales joins the podcast with host David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer to discuss the racial injustice in America, and the experience of a black baseball player in the MLB. (1:55) - America is in a dark place right now (9:40) - Racial issues in the MLB (16:20) - There is a reason protests are going on around the country (24:58) - Making front offices more diverse in the MLB (31:46) - Reaction to Dexter Fowler's comments on bei...
Jun 05, 2020•37 min•Ep. 362
Host David Kaplan is joined by Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Eugene McIntosh co-founder of "The Bigs" sports media, to have an open and honest discussion about the murder of George Floyd, the many protests around the country, and how can we all impact change all through the lens of baseball.
Jun 03, 2020•25 min•Ep. 361
Host David Kaplan is joined by the NBCS Cubs coverage team of Gordon Wittenmyer, Maddie Lee, and Tim Stebbins to discuss the negotiations between the MLB owners and players that have seemingly broken down. They also dive into the Cubs' financial situation and how the pandemic is impacting them and could it mean they start parting ways with key pieces. (1:37) - Where are the negotiations headed? (5:50) - How can you bridge the gap if they are so far apart? (11:11) - Are the Cubs at fault for the ...
May 29, 2020•29 min•Ep. 360
Host David Kaplan is joined by Gordon Wittenmyer to discuss and update the back and forth between the MLB owners and players, and just how far are the two sides are in coming to a deal. Later on, Gordon Wittenmyer interviews the author of the book "The Wax Pack", Brad Balukjian to discuss his book about baseball cards and the players connected to them. (1:25) - If a deal gets done, it should happen this week (5:15) - Are the Cubs/MLB owners exaggerating the potential losses? (10:20) - If a deal ...
May 27, 2020•41 min•Ep. 359
Host David Kaplan and Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer are joined by Dr. Robert Citronberg Director of infectious disease for Lutheran General Hospital to discuss the updated plan by the MLB to start the season and the potential hurdles the league will have to clear in order to play. (1:30) - Any plan should have the health and safety of the players first (5:23) - Could the MLB plan work in other sports or businesses (10:10) - MLB safety rules that impact the game of baseball (15:25) - Based on th...
May 22, 2020•26 min•Ep. 358
Host David Kaplan and Cubs insider Gordon Wittenmyer talk with former Cub Ryan Theriot on the 2008 Cubs, the difficult decision the players face in trying to return to start the season, his potential career in broadcasting, and his thoughts on the Cubs/Cards rivalry. (3:45) - Emotional for Theriot watching the 2016 Cubs win the World Series (7:50) - Thoughts on what the players union should do (13:40) - The difference between the Cubs and Cards (18:40) - Could Lou Piniella have done a better job...
May 20, 2020•27 min•Ep. 357
