Cubs News and Notes: Fergie on Sammy Sosa, Lee Smith, Hoerner options, Hot Stove, more
Sosa believes he should be strongly considered for the Hall of Fame

Cubs News and Notes: Fergie on Sammy Sosa, Lee Smith, Hoerner options, Hot Stove, more


by - Columnist -

CUBS NEWS AND NOTES

Next Game: Next Game: 34 days – Saturday, February 22, 2020: Athletics vs Cubs (Sloan Park)

Opening Day: 67 days – Thursday, March 26, 2020: Cubs vs. Brewers (Miller Park)

Kids say the darndest things: As Cubs Con wound down yesterday, the kids go their chance to ask the panel questions. Watch as the panel (avoids) answering why wearing a cup is so important, why Javier Baez is so cute and whether or not it’s still OK to call David Ross “Grandpa.”

You can check out the full Kids Only Press Conference on the Chicago Cubs’ Facebook page.

Fergie Jenkins: The great Fergie Jenkins spoke about Sammy Sosa and says that "He deserves an opportunity to get back into the fold." Jenkins says that he knows how much Sosa meant to Cubs’ fans and that he hopes the parties can once again find common ground.

The Cubs have demanded an apology from the ultimate home run hitter and want an explanation about the alleged steroid use that powered him and his bat through parts of the 90s.

Lee Smith: After serving with the Giants for several seasons as a special advisor, Hall of Fame reliever Lee Smith has rejoined the Cubs as an ambassador.

Hoerner to lead off? When I joined fellow CubsHQ writer Anthony Pasquale on his Cubs Corner podcast, I said the Nico Hoerner’s attitude and demeanor might make him a guy who could handle the leadoff spot. I’m not the only one who thinks so…

And like that, another Cubs Con was in the books. Nothing left to do now, but to prepare for Spring training and the season to come. The fun and games are over; it’s time to get to work.

Cubs history: I had no idea that WWII was responsible for the long wait for night games at Wrigley. Things that make you go hmmm.

Dusty Baker: Cubs’ first base coach Will Venable interviewed with the Astros on Friday and Monday Houston will be talking to former Cubs’ manager, Dusty Baker about the manager’s job.

Cubs’ Birthdays: Celebrating yesterday, were new Cubs’ pitcher Jharel Cotton (28) and ex-Cubs Amaury Telemaco (46), Chris Stynes (47) Phil Nevin (49), Kevin Coffman (55), Ken Frailing (72); and posthumously, Anthony Young (54) and Earl "Ollie" Hanson (124).

Baseball Quotes: “A pitcher has to find out if a hitter is timid, and if he is, he has to remind the hitter he's timid.” -Don Drysdale

MLB and the Hot Stove

NL Central News:

Cardinals: The Cardinals have agreed to re-sign veteran catcher Matt Wieters.

Pirates: According to reports, the Mets and Bucs have now reopened talks with the Pirates regarding Starling Marté.

From the Rest of MLB:

More cheating? According to his former Oakland A's teammate Ryan Buchter, Fiers has privately shared that the scandal should not just be about the 2017 season, but that it dates back to 2014. This thing seems to get uglier by the day, but MLB and Rob Manfred seem to want to lay it to rest.

Still to come, the results of the Red Sox cheating scandal, along with punishments for Alex and Cora and (perhaps) Carlos Beltran.

Check out

12up’s article on the scandal.

Meanwhile, Jose Altuve just guaranteed another World Series appearance for the Houston Astros.

Rangers: Texas continues to add pieces to both the MLB roster and farm system. Yesterday, they signed veteran righty-reliever, Juan Nicasio, to a minor league deal.

Blue Jays: The Jays have signed free agent RHP Ryan Dull to a minor league deal.

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