The Northside Baseball Podcast: Recent Episodes

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2022 Mid-Season Review

Season Record through Mets series before ASB 35-57, 4th in NL Central

70 games remaining . . .

2012 61-101 26-44 (second half to match 2013)2013 66-96 31-39 (second half to match 2013)2014 73-89 38-32 (second half to match 2014)

My prediction: 65-97 30-40 (in 2nd half)

2015 97-65 (the good years pt 1)2016 103-58 (the good years pt 2 + WS)

Run Diff (-86)

Team HITTING StatsRuns Scored 11/15Hits 09/15Doubles 07/15Triples 02/15HRs 11/15RBIs 11/15Walks 06/15Ks 05/15SBs 03/15Avg 07/15OBP 05/15SLG 09/15HBP 04/15GIDP 03/15GO 06/15GO/AO 03/15IBB 04/15BABIP 02/15AB/HR 11/15

TEAM PITCHING

ERA 11/15Sho 04/15Saves 11/15Hits 11/15Runs 11/15HRs 13/15Walks 11/15Strikeouts 08/15WHiP 11/15BAA 11/15Games of Note:

04/09/22 Cubs 9, Brewers 0 Lasted 3:28 0 Home Runs Seiya Suzuki his first 3 RBI Justin Steele: 5 IP, 0 R, 1BB, 5K (first win)

04/23/22 Cubs 21, Pirates 0 Lasted 2:47 8 run 2nd Inning Just one HR (Rivas) “Good Kyle” Hendricks: 7 IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 2K

05/09/22 Cubs 6, Pirates 0 Lasted 2:59 0 Home Runs* “Good Kyle” Hendricks: 8.2 IP, 3H, 0R, 1BB, 7K

05/16/22 Cubs 9, Pirates 0 Lasted 2:29 Willson Contreras 5th Homer* Wade Miley: 7IP, 1H, 0R, 0BB, 6K

05/17/22 Cubs 7, Pirates 0 Lasted 2:38 Jonathan Villar 1st HR Morel’s Debut + 1st HR Keegan Thompson: 5IP, 4H, 0R, 0BB, 5K

05/26/22 Reds 20, Cubs 5 Lasted 3:10 (59m delay) 3 Cubs HR despite losing; Hoerner, Contreras, Happ* Justin Steele: 2IP, 7H, 7R (all earned), 2BB, 2K, 1 HR

JUNE SWOON 10-game losing streak and lost 11 of 12 (not separately)→ During this stretch, gave up run totals of 12, 14, 18 and 19.

06/22/22 Cubs 14, Pirates 5 Lasted 3:07 3 Cubs HR (Happ, Wisdom, Rivas)* Keegan Thompson: 6IP, 4H, 1R, 1BB, 7K, 1HR

06/30/22 Cubs 15, Reds 7 Lasted 3:14 Cubs 4 HRs (Wisdom x2, Higgins, Morel)* “Good Kyle” Hendricks: 6IP, 6H, 2R (all earned), 1BB, 7K, 1HR

* 9-game losing streak / snapped prior to heading into the ASB *

“Bad Kyle”

3.2 IP 7 H 6 R 4 BB 4 K 1 HR

4.1 IP 7 H 6 R 2 BB 2 K 3 HR

5.2 IP 7 H 4 R 1 BB 2 K 2 HR

5.0 IP 8 H 7 R 3 BB 2 K 4 HR

4.0 IP 5 H 4 R 1 BB 1 K 1 HR

4.1 IP 8 H 6 R 1 BB 6 K 2 HR

3.0 IP 2 H 2 R 2 BB 4 K 1 HR (this was his last start before going on the IL)

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1976 Season Overview

Opening Day Lineup

1. Rick Monday, cf 0-4, K2. Jose Cardenal, lf 1-43. Bill Madlock, 3b 0-44. Jerry Morales, rf 1-35. Andre Thornton, 1b 1-2, 2BB6. Manny Trillo, 2b 1-47. Steve Swisher, c 1-4, K8. Dave Rosello, ss 0-39. Ray Burris, p 1-2Lost to Cardinals, 5-0

Starting RotationRick Reuschel (14-12)Ray Burris (15-13)Bill Bonham (9-13)Steve Renko (8-11)Steve Stone (3-6)

Games of Note:

04/17/76 - 10 inning loss to Phillies, 18-16

• Lasted 3:41
• Cubs lead 12-1 after 3 innings
• Phillies out-homered the Cubs 6-3
• Mike Schmidt on this day: 5-6, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 4R, and 6 of his RBI w/2 outs
• Phillies SP Steve Carlton last 1.2 IP, 7 H, 7 R (all earned), 1BB, 2K, 2 HR
• Cubs SP Rick Reuschel lasted 7.0 IP, 14H, 7R (all earned), 1BB, 4K, 3 HR
• Cubs Rick Monday hit 2 HR

05/05/76 - lost 14-12 to Dodgers

• Lasted 2:50
• LAD scored in the first 8 innings
• LAD hit 7 Home runs
• Rick Monday hit another 2 HR
• LAD SP Don Sutton: 5.2 IP, 14H, 7R (6 earned), 2BB, 4K, 1 HR (W)
• CHC SP Ray Burris: 6.0 IP, 11H, 9R (6 earned), 2BB, 2K, 4 HR (L)

05/8-9/76 - gave up 14 runs on Saturday and another 14 on Sunday vs Reds

• May 8, 1976
  • 2:44
  • 3-3 after 1st inning
  • Zero home runs for Cincinnati
  • George Foster: 3-5 (Single, Double, Triple), 3RBI, 2R, 1BB
  • Bill Madlock Home Run [Cubs]
  • CIN SP Santo Alcala: 7.0 IP, 2H, 4R (all earned), 4BB, 2K, 1 HR (W)
  • CHC SP Rick Reuschel: 3.1 IP, 6H, 7R (all earned), 4BB, 2K (L)
• May 9, 1976
  • 2:36
  • 10-0 Reds after 3 innings
  • 14-0 Reds after 5 innings
  • Reds clobber 6 HR
  • George Foster 4-5 (Double, HR) // Weekend 7-10 (Sat.+Sun)
  • Bill Madlock homer again
  • CIN SP Pat Zachry: 8.0 IP, 5H, 2R (all earned), 4BB, 4K, 1 HR (W)
  • CHC SP Ray Burris: 1.0 IP, 5H, 4R (3 earned), 2BB (L)

05/12/76 - Cubs 1, Giants 0 in 11 innings

• 2:23
• Walk off single by Steve Swisher with 2 outs in the 11th
• CHC SP Rick Reuschel 10 IP, 3H, 0 R, 1BB, 6K (ND)

05/22/76 - 16 inning loss to Pirates, 4-3

• 4:02
• Willie Stargell 3-6 (2-run HR), 1BB, 2 RBI - scored winning run
• PIT SP Bruce Kinson: 9.0 IP, 8H, 3R (1 earned), 0BB, 2K (ND)
• CHC SP Steve Renko: 5.0 IP, 4H, 2R (both earned), 0BB, 4K (ND)
• Sac Fly in 16th - scored Stargell

07/05/76 - Cubs 1, Padres 0

• 1:45
• CHC SP Steve Renko: 7.0 IP, 3H, 0R, 0BB, 6K
• Lone run scores off a catcher’s throwing error

07/07/76 - won 10-0 vs Padres

• 2:03
• 5 run 2nd Inning
• Manny Trillo: 2-4 (HR), 3 RBI
• CHC SP Rick Resuchel: CG Sho 9 IP, 4H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4K

08/11/76 - 10 inning loss to Reds, 13-10

• 3:21
• Cubs lead 10-1 after 3 innings
• Reds score 12 unanswered runs; including 3 in the top of the 10th
• Johnny Bench: 3-6, HR, 4 RBI
• Dave Concepcion: 4-6
• Bill Madlock: 3-5
• Steve Swisher: 3-4, 2 triples, 4 RBI
• CIN SP Fred Norman: 1.1 IP, 7H, 7R (all earned), 2 BB, 1 HR (ND)
• CHC SP Bill Bonham: 6.0 IP, 9H, 5R (4 earned), 3BB, 6K, 1 HR (ND)

09/7-8/76 - gave up 11 runs on Tuesday and another 11 on Wednesday vs Mets

• September 7, 1976
  • 2:28
  • NYM SP Jon Matlach: 9 IP, 8H, 0R, 1BB, 5K (W)
  • CHC SP Ray Burris: 3.2 IP, 8H, 6R (all earned), 2BB, 3K, 1 HR
• September 8, 1976
  • 2:49
  • NYM SP Tom Seaver: 6 IP, 8H, 4R (all earned), 3BB, 7K, 1HR (W)
  • CHC SP Steve Renko: 3 IP, 6H, 4R (3 earned), 3BB, 5K, 1HR (L)

Other Cubs Stats from 1976Home (42-39)Away (33-48)1-run (35-24)4+ R (55-25)Extras (15-8)

Finished season 75-87, 4th in NL EastManager: Jim Marshall

Before I wrap, I just want to say once again… I’m back… we are getting this podcast on track once again. In future episodes, I will do some flashback content, I will discuss the looming trade deadline and what impact it has on the Cubs, there will be countdown episodes and much more. Thank you for sticking with me and tuning in.

That’s all for this episode and until the next one…

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After the next 17 games, the season is approximately 20% complete, and the Cubs sit at 13-20 (.394 winning percentage).

Series Breakdown@ ATL [1-2]@ MIL [1-2]vs CWS [0-2]vs LAD [0-3]@ SD [2-1]@ ARI [2-1]

Highlights

Kyle Hendricks vs Padres on May 9th 8.2 IP, 3H, 1 BB, 7 K, [Win]

Kyle Hendricks vs Arizona on May 14th5.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, [No Decision] / Team Won

Offense finally showed up in San Diego17 runs in 3 games vs 12 runs in previous 9 games

In 1-Run Games: 1-3 // {3-8 overall}Scoring 4+ Runs: 4-1 // {10-5 overall}Home: 0-5 // {4-11 overall}Road: 6-6 // {9-9 overall}

– Up Next – Third 10% of the Season: May 16 - June 111 Home Games / 6 on the Road3 vs Pirates4 vs Diamondbacks4 @ Reds2 @ White Sox4 vs Brewers; including a Double Header on Memorial Day

Cub Nuggets

MLB.com article on “One Quick Fix for Every Team”Cubs: Move on from the Frank Schwindel experiment: He was a fun story last year, but at a .252 OBP with two homers pace so far, the Cubs don’t have much use for a nearly-30-year-old journeyman at first base. Put Alfonso Rivas out there every day for now and see what you’ve got.

Yankees: Start calling the CubsTrade for Willson Contreras

Cubs 1B Prospect Bryce Ball is Balling Out at Double-A TennesseeThe 24-y.o. Is on fire to start the season at Double-A.Check out the full article at OnTapSportsNet (link above/in show notes)

Cubs prospect Ed Howard to miss season with hip injury

Howard, 20, was injured trying to elude a tag on a wide throw to first base in the ninth inning of a game May 10, twisting to his left as he strode full speed across the bag, then tumbling past the bag, in visible pain. Expected to make a full recovery, though no time-line was given.

May 17th Call Ups

Brandon Hughes, 26, lhpDebuted May 17, pitched 1.2 IP and struck out 5, walking 1According to Stats by Stats (Twitter): Brandon Hughes in the first pitcher in the Modern Era to get 5+ outs in his MLB debut all via strikeout.

Christopher Morel, 22, IF1 AB0-2 count, worked to 3-2Crushes next pitch 417’ to Waveland Ave

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This is a Flashback Episode, where we travel all the way back to 2004! July 31, 2004 to be exact. The MLB Trade Deadline. This is where just before the deadline was up, the Chicago Cubs pulled off a unique four-team-trade, which saw the Northsiders bring shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to town. An honest-to-God superstar player! But... was it all that it was hyped up to be?

The Trade Details:

[Garciaparra was] Traded by the Boston Red Sox along with Matt Murton to the Chicago Cubs as part of 4-team trade, in which the Chicago Cubs sent Brendan Harris, Alex Gonzalez and Francis Beltran to the Montreal Expos; the Montreal Expos sent Orlando Cabrera to the Boston Red Sox; the Minnesota Twins sent Doug Mientkiewicz to Boston, and the Cubs sent Justin Jones to the Minnesota Twins to complete this crazy trade.

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After the first 16 games, the season is approximately 10% complete, and the Cubs sit at 7-9.

Opening Series

vs Brewers (scheduled for 4; played 3)

Won 2-of-3

• Good start
• Cubs Starters this series
  • 1.17 ERA
  • 1.17 WHIP
  • 15.1 IP
• Brewers Starters
  • 9.23 ERA
  • 1.82 WHIP
  • 12.2 IP
• Seiya Suzuki - (since 1920) First MLB player with 3+ hits, 3+ BB & 6+ RBI in first 3 career games

@ Pirates (2gm series)

Split Series

• Seiya Suzuki - only MLB player with 8+ RBI and 4+ walks over his first 4 career games since 1920 when RBI became an official stat
• One time through the rotation (4 of 5 anyway)
  • Hendricks: 5.1 IP, 7K, 1 ER
  • Steele: 5 IP, 5K, 0 ER
  • Stroman: 5 IP, 3 K, 1 ER
  • Smyly: 5 IP, 1 K, 0 ER

@ Rockies (4gm series)

Split Series

• Won 5-2
• Lost 6-5
• Lost 6-9
• Won 6-4

vs Rays (3gm series)

Lost 2-of-3

• Won 4-2
• Lost 6-5
• Lost 8-2

vs Pirates (4gm series)

Lost 3-of-4

• Only win was Saturday, April 23 - 21-0
  • Hendricks threw 7 IP / 2H / 2K / 0BB
  • Only 1 HR
  • 3rd largest shutout win in MLB since 1900 and largest in franchise history
  • Most runs by a team who only hit one HR or less since the Royals in 2004
  • Largest margin of victory in a Cubs shutout EVER!

Since 2011, there have only been two occurrences of a team scoring 84+ runs and having a .350+ OBP in the first 16 games of a season while having a losing record.

• 2019 Cubs
• 2022 Cubs

+17 Run DifferentialIn 1-Run Games: 2-5Scoring 4+ Runs: 5-4Home: 4-6Road: 3-3

– Up Next –

• April rounds out with 3 in Atlanta and the start of a 3-game set in Milwaukee.

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In this episode, I rank my Top 10 Chicago Cubs uniforms of All Time!

Since this is an audio podcast, in order to fully visualize my choices, please refer to these resources below.

Sportslogos.net Chicago Cubs History 

MLBCollectors.com - Chicago Cubs 

Dressed to the Nines - A History of the Baseball Uniform 

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In this episode, I preview the upcoming Regular Season for the 2022 Chicago Cubs. I get into the options for the Starting Rotation, Closer, Home Run Leaders (on the team), and what I would like to see out of the 2022 squad.

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Cubs Transactions since the last episode.

• March 15, 2022
  • Signed RHP Chris Martin to add to the bullpen (1 yr, $2.5M/ 35 y.o.)
    • No, not the lead singer of Coldplay
    • Played with the Atlanta Braves in 2021
• March 16, 2022
  • Signed OF Seiya Suzuki (5 yr / $85M)
    • Add in the posting fee, and the deal is pretty close to 100M
    • In 2021 batted: .317/.433/.639 with 38 home runs in 533 plate appearances for the Hiroshima Carp
    • Hit at least 25 HRs in the past six seasons
    • 5x NPB All-Star
  • Signed LHP Steven Brault (TBD) - rotation help/depth
    • Was a MLB deal but shifted to a mL deal due to an injury setback
    • Played with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021
  • Signed RHP David Robertson (1 yr / $3.5M with up to $1.5M in incentives)
    • Bullpen Vet
    • Coming off TJ surgery in late 2019
    • Just came back last year with Rays
  • Signed LHP Daniel Norris (1.75 m with 2 mil in incentives)
    • Played with Detroit Tigers + Milwaukee Brewers
• March 17, 2022
  • Signed RHP Adrian Sampson (NRI/mL deal)
    • Previous Cubs mL brought back into the org
  • Signed IF Jonathan Villar (1 yr. / $6M - club opt for 2023)
    • Played with the NY Mets last season
  • Signed RHP Robert Gsellman (NRI/mL deal)
    • Played with the NY Mets last season
  • Signed RHP Mychel Givens ($3.5MM, and there’s a $1.5MM buyout on a 2023 mutual option. He can make up to $6.25MM in bonuses)
    • Played with the Colorado Rockies + Cincinnati Reds in 2021
  • Signed LHP Brandon Leibrandt (NRI/mL deal)
    • Played with the Miami Marlins in 2020 and in their farm system in ‘21
• March 19, 2022
  • Signed LHP Drew Smyly (1 yr / $5.25M; up to 2.5M in incentives)
    • Previously with the Cubs during his rehab but never pitched for them
    • Played with the defending Champion Atlanta Braves in 2021

Next Episode later this week, I will go over my thoughts on the 2022 Starting Rotation, and who could compete for the Closer role.

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• Lockout is over
  • Offseason Part 2 - Frenzy yet not so much
  • Spring Training Games Begin on St Patrick's Day with two SS games with the White Sox
  • First move this time around was extending David Ross through 2024 with a club opt for 2025
  • Cubs Get a SS
    • Andrelton Simmons, 1 yr / $4M
    • .223 BA in 2021
  • Old Friends Back again
    • Jesse Chavez (RHP/RP) - 38 y.o. but had a 2.14 ERA last year with the Braves
    • Robel Garcia (IF) - mL deal w/ST Invite
  • Rumors involving Cubs
    • Jonathan Villar (2B)
    • Seiya Suzuki (OF)The 27-year-old outfielder slashed .317/.433/.639 with 26 home runs with the Hiroshima Carp last seasonMet with Cubs representatives tonight (Monday, March 14)
    • Freddie Freeman (1B)[Jon Heyman/MLBN] speculates that teams though to be long-shots like the Yankees, Rays, Red Sox and Cubs could now be in the mix.
  • Injury Updates
    • Adbert Alzolay - Right shoulder tightness, will begin the season on the IL and it likely won't be a minimal stay
    • Ian Happ - Right Elbow cleanup procedure in February - hopeful to be ready by Opening Day

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In this episode, I go over my favorite Cubs players in a Top 10 list. I also start the episode by going over what I did have and what I do have planned for episodes, as it pertains to the MLB Lockout and the 2022 Regular Season.

This is just a way to know a little more about me and who I have been a fan of over the years. It is certainly just my opinion, and if you would like to discuss your favorite Cubs players, head over to Northside Baseball's Forum, and join the conversation - or start one of your own!

As promised, here is the YouTube link to the Glenallen Hill Rooftop Home Run. 

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In this episode, I dive into some of the happenings from the Cubs offseason, that was interrupted by the MLB Lockout.

• Cubs will “be active” in Free Agency per owner, Tom Ricketts
  • Email from Tom on October 15, 2021
    • Then we had all the talk of the offseason gearing towards what was the deadline for the Collective Bargaining Agreement (the CBA), as it was about to expire. As we got closer to the deadline, a flurry of free agent deals were struck, as players wanted to get signed and have that security before MLB locked out the players.
    • The 1-2 weeks leading up to the December 2nd deadline in 2021 unleashed a free agent frenzy like we have not seen in a long time. However, it will be revisited and probably with more intensity once the lockout ends.
    • Front Office Changes
  • Carter Hawkins, new General Manager
  • Cubs Assistant GM Randy Bush Moves To Senior Advisor Role (along with HoF’er Billy Williams)
  • Cubs senior vice president of player personnel Jason McLeod announced as departing the organization [Oct 22].
  • Cubs Hire Ehsan Bokhari as Assistant General Manager
    • Coaching Staff Changes
  • Cubs hired Greg Brown as Hitting Coach
  • Cubs hired Daniel Moskos as Assistant Pitching Coach
  • Cubs hired Johnny Washington as Assistant Hitting Coach
    • Player Movement
  • Cubs Designate (catchers) Erick Castillo, Tyler Payne For Assignment
  • Cubs Claim LHP Wade Miley Off Waivers From Reds
  • Cubs Acquire OF Harold Ramirez From Guardians
  • Catcher Yan Gomes agreed to a two-year, $13MM deal to join the Chicago Cubs.
  • Cubs signed OF Clint Frazier
  • Cubs signed RHP Marcus Stroman
    • Stroman received a three-year, $71MM contract with an opt-out after the second season.
  • Cubs signed (back) OF Michael Hermosillo

Heading into the offseason, I wasn’t expecting much movement.

However, once they signed Marcus Stroman - it piqued my curiosity.

Since the Lockout started, there aren’t any Major League transactions possible, but rumors are always floating around, trying to get content out there.

There has been talk of Carlos Correa being a thing. Will it happen? Who knows. Is it exciting to think about? Certainly.

You would think they would want to replace Javy Baez’s offensive production.

We will have to see how the next frenzy period shakes out, once the MLB Lockout is resolved. Will the Cubs be key players? Who knows... but it is certainly interesting to keep an eye on!

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On this episode, the Chicago Cubs of 2016 are discussed, as they won it all! I talk about the emotions I felt through that roller coaster of a seven game series. I talk about what a great year 2016 was for me and my family on a personal level, and then I break down what my thoughts were during that crazy Game 7. The short story is told of when I yelled at my wife's grandmother after Dexter Fowler's lead-off home run. There's a public service announcement on why you should not take a phone call during the World Series - especially in Game 7. I also share an anecdote from 670 The Score's Laurence Holmes. 

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It's the debut episode of The Northside Baseball Podcast! In this episode, I introduce myself a little with my Cubs background. From certain games I remember attending, whether or not it is fun to go by yourself, and various MLB stadiums I have visited. I get into a couple of future episodes to look forward to (such as the 2016 World Series, and how Dusty Baker ruined the team), and talk about how podcasting has worked out better for me rather than blogging. Then I get into the origin story of Northside Baseball's Forum and how it came to be the site it is today.

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Welcome to the Northside Baseball Podcast!

I am your host, Josh Weiner - otherwise known as Southpaw19 at the Northside Baseball Message Board.

This is a baseball podcast focused primarily about the Chicago Cubs.

The Northside Baseball Podcast is for Cubs fans interested in casual conversation, and are frustrated by the lack of coverage by national sports media. The Cubs fan who is looking for a community where they can talk about their favorite team.

This is a podcast that has a connection to that very community - http://www.northsidebaseball.com/forum/, where you can register an account, an d begin talking about your favorite baseball team on the Northside of Chicago!

Episodes will drop weekly, covering Cubs Flashbacks, Top 10 lists, a week-in-review show during the regular season, Cubs news, Cubs trivia, MLB transactions, and more! There will even be bonus episodes when breaking news happens! Then you can head over to the Northside Baseball Message Board for more discussion on these episodes.

So while you’re here if you’re so inclined, do me a favor and subscribe to the Northside Baseball Podcast! It will allow you to be notified of all episodes available from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you consume your podcast content. Thank you for listening - and Go Cubs Go!