Cubs Talk Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep 265: Get to know Kelly Crull Aug 17, 2019

Show notes

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, we get to know Kelly Crull. Kelly tells Luke Stuckmeyer about her love of bowling growing up, why she became a reporter and some of her favorite moments covering the Cubs.

01:00Kelly's love of tennis at an early age

04:00Following basketball while growing up in Indiana

06:00Possible tennis showdown between Kelly and Megan Mawicke

09:30Kelly talks about working in London & interviewing J.K. Rowling

14:00When did she decide to become a reporter?

15:00What is her favorite food?

16:00Kelly's go-to karaoke song

18:00Kelly's favorite NBA story (it involves Kevin Durant)

21:00Favorite moments covering the Cubs

24:00Dealing with the weather at Wrigley Field

28:00Something we don't know about Kelly

31:00What does Kelly enjoy watching at home the most?

Ep. 264: Kapman Code Blue Emergency Aug 15, 2019

Show notes

David Kaplan explains to Luke Stuckmeyer and Tony Andracki all the reasons why he's so down on the Cubs right now.

01:00Kap has lost confidence in the Cubs

04:30The road woes are totally in their head

06:30What happened to "R-E-L-A-X" Kap?

08:20Why does this feel different than the 2015 team?

13:30Do last year's struggles give you hope for this year?

15:45Kap doesn't want to see Almora starting games

16:40Tony wants to see Bryant leading off

20:20Kap's message to Cubs fans

Ep. 263: Kyle Schwarber, what type of player can he be? Aug 15, 2019

Show notes

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Luke Stuckmeyer, Doug Glanville, Tony Andracki and Chris Kamka discuss the legend of Kyle Schwarber, break down his stats and discuss what type of player he can be.

01:00 - How the legend of Kyle Schwarber grew

04:00 - A career is built on a series of moments

07:00 - Schwarber is perfect for Chicago

08:00 - Can Schwarber be an everyday player and will it be for the Cubs?

10:00 - Schwarber may be the beneficiary of analytics

12:00 - Schwarber would be the greatest backup catcher in MLB

14:00 - What former player does Schwarber compare to the most?

16:00 - What are realistic expectations for Schwarber for the future?

18:00 - Schwarber's improvement in the outfield

19:30 - How do you summarize Schwarber's career

24:00 - Will Schwarber be with the Cubs for 5 more seasons?

Ep. 262: Kris Byrant is clutch, Joe Maddon future, and the all-time all-lefty Cubs team Aug 13, 2019

Show notes

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Luke Stuckmeyer, David Kaplan, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki discuss what bullpen moves the Cubs will have to make when guys get healthy, Kris Bryant being a clutch hitter and Joe Maddon's future.

01:30Dillon Maples struggles at the major league level

03:00Who gets sent down when Kintzler and Kimbrel get healthy

05:00The Cubs all-time all-lefty lineup

09:00Highlights of the 2020 Cubs schedule

13:00More spread out off days in next year's schedule

16:00Kris Bryant is clutch

18:00Joe Maddon's future with the Cubs

21:00The possibility of David Ross managing the Cubs

Ep. 261: Get to know Doug Glanville Aug 09, 2019

Show notes

Luke Stuckmeyer talks with Doug Glanville about baseball, life, Hamilton... and Hall & Oates.

0:38 - Doug discusses "Hamilton" - his favorite Broadway play

2:59 - Doug talks about how the band Hall & Oates helped him become a Major League baseball player.

6:55 - Doug discusses his favorite early baseball memories - including imitating Mike Schmidt.

9:24 - Doug talks about some of the coaches that helped him the most when he was a young player - including Billy Willaims, Jimmy Piersall and Shawon Dunston

11:30 - Find out which managerial job Doug interviewed for.

12:58 - Doug discusses how much the game has changed since he was still a player - and dreaming about "knocking 'the Wizard' back to Oz."

16:27 - Doug talks about the defining moments from his career in MLB - including the night he collected his 1,000th career hit - and the spiritual side of baseball.

20:39 - Doug discusses being the first African-American Ivy League graduate to play Major League baseball, and what that means to him now.

22:45 - Doug talks about the process of writing an Op-Ed for the New York Times - regarding the subjects of racism, ambiguity, commonality, and empathy - and how baseball can be a common ground for fans everywhere.

Ep. 260: How will the Cubs do on their road trip? Aug 07, 2019

Show notes

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Luke Stuckmeyer, David DeJesus and David Kaplan discuss the addition of Jonathan Lucroy, how many MLB players wear a cup, the state of the bullpen and how they will do on their road trip.

01:00Cubs add Jonathan Lucroy as a backup catcher

02:30What do you like most about the addition of Nicolas Castillanos?

05:00Would you bring Castillanos back next season?

07:00How many guys in the majors wear a cup?

09:00Injuries to the Cubs bullpen give opportunies to young pitchers

10:30Duane Underwood's stellar performance vs the A's

13:00Are the Cubs staters good enough to make up for the troubles in the bullpen?

15:00How will the Cubs do on their 10-game road trip?

Ep. 259: Main takeaways from the Cubs’ sweep and how the new pieces are fitting together Aug 04, 2019

Show notes

After the Cubs put the finishing touches on a sweep of the Brewers and a 5-4 record overall in the tough stretch against divisional foes, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki broke down the key takeaways from the last week-plus. The duo also discusses the incredible run Yu Darvish and the Cubs pitching staff has been on, plus Jason Heyward's star turn atop the lineup and how the new pieces like Nick Castellanos and Derek Holland are fitting into the puzzle.

Ep. 258: Miracle the Musical Aug 01, 2019

Show notes

Luke Stuckmeyer is joined by William Marovitz, the producer of "Miracle," a musical about the 2016 Cubs currently playing at the Royal George Theatre. Marovitz details the origins of the show (1:30), the generational impact of the Cubs winning the World Series in 2016 (5:30), the crowd reactions to the show so far (11:00), and the shared emotional experience of winning the World Series (17:30). Tickets are available at miraclethemusical.com.

Ep. 257: Trade deadline instant reaction Jul 31, 2019

Show notes

Luke Stuckmeyer and David Kaplan break down all the Cubs' moves at the trade deadline, including Nicholas Castellanos' impact on the offense, especially against left-handed pitching (2:00), what current Cubs players need to step up down the stretch (4:30), the change of scenery for Carl Edwards Jr. and the new-look bullpen (6:00), and how much pressure now rests on the shoulders of Joe Maddon (9:15).

Ep. 256: The state of the NL Central/trade deadline preview Jul 29, 2019

Show notes

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Luke Stuckmeyer, Tony Andracki and Nate Poppen discuss the series against the Brewers, the series against the Cardinals and what the Cubs may do at the trade deadline.

01:00 - How disappointing was dropping 2 of 3 in Milwaukee

03:00 - Pedro Strop's struggles

05:30 - Pitching matchup preview for Cardinals series

08:00 - Who is bigger threat in NL Central, Cardinals or Brewers

10:00 - Will the Cubs struggle on the road decide whether or not the Cubs win the Central?

12:00 - Which team in the Central will make the biggest move at the trade deadline?

13:45 - Is Syndergaard on the Cubs radar?

16:00 - Would Syndergaard put the Brewers or Cardinals over the top?

19:00 - What is the Cubs priority at the trade deadline?

21:30 - How adding Zobrist and Happ will affect how the Cubs approach the trade deadline

23:00 - Will Whit Merrifield stay with the Royals the rest of the season?