Cubs Talk Podcast

Latest Episodes:

MLB super-agent Scott Boras 1-on-1 with David Kaplan May 15, 2020

Show notes

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 players want baseball, just having trouble finding a solution

(12:18) - Why did Kris Bryant say no to an early extension

(18:56) - Getting to know new Cubs writer Maddie Lee

(23:34) - Will the season start on July 4th like the league wants?

(27:35) - Baseball can take advantage of the hunger for sports right now

What was it like coaching during the ’90s Bulls era May 14, 2020

Show notes

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 '90s the White Sox had a shot at a World Series

(7:02) - Are there universal rules across sports to coaching a great player like Jordan

(14:34) - Was there pressure for Jim Riggleman and the Cubs to win because of the Bulls

(21:55) - Difficulties coaching in the same building as the Bulls for then new Blackhawks coach Craig Hartsburg

(28:15) - Favorite Jordan story or moment

Will the stalled season actually help the Cubs winning window May 13, 2020

Show notes

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?

(11:50) - Will there be a flurry of trades once the season starts

(17:30) - Theo Epstein's next challenge

(25:28) - Do the Cubs go all in and try to win the World Series in 2020

A few things MLB needs to consider before starting a season May 08, 2020

Show notes

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 could his march to 3,000 hits be in jeopardy because of the coronavirus.

(2:02) - When is the right time to start baseball?

(8:24) - Should MLB consider coming back too soon might cause a mutation to the coronavirus

(13:47) - This disease is going to change sports forever

(17:43) - Remembering when Starlin Castro got called up to the majors

(20:42) - Baez extension talks have been put on hold

(25:10) - Baseball might have a revenue problem coming up

The great Willie Mays drops the ball on Ernie Banks May 07, 2020

Show notes

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 balls doing the "basket catch" and 1 was against the Cubs

(10:00) - The media's coverage of the dropped ball after the game

(17:20) - The famously missing Willie Mays bat and glove

(24:28) - Willie Mays had a profound impact on other players

(30:00) - Willie Mays' jaw-dropping stats against the Cubs

Baseball super-agent Scott Boras has a plan to start baseball May 06, 2020

Show notes

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 provide more direction during this time

(21:10) - Remembering Cubs executive Eldred R. "Salty" Saltwell

(25:40) - Kaplan tells a story about being fired as a vendor by Cubs GM Dallas Green

Joe Maddon compares his coaching style to Phil Jackson’s May 01, 2020

Show notes

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 Stella

(23:00) - Maddon's plan on addressing players after the pandemic

(31:50) - Drawing parallels between Jackson's career and Maddon's career

Should the Cubs be worried about the promising Reds? Apr 29, 2020

Show notes

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 the Hall of Fame

(20:20) - Top 4 favorite players to watch all-time

(23:25) - Is baseball a dying sport

Are the 2020 Cubs the 1998 Last Dance Bulls? Apr 24, 2020

Show notes

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 at the Last Dance for this Cubs team

(7:40) - Cubs already fired their Phil Jackson after not keeping Joe Maddon

(13:55) - Cubs don't have an MJ, he's with Joe Maddon in Los Angeles

(21:28) - How will free agents react to a unique offseason

(25:00) - Should Mookie Betts take a long term deal

Reliving the 2015 Wildcard matchup of the Cubs vs Pirates Apr 22, 2020

Show notes

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 game

(24:00) - Jake Arrieta gets out of a bases loaded jam

(33:00) - Jake Arrieta gets the complete game shutout

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