Cubs Talk Podcast

Did they or didn’t they have a deal

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 the reported "deal"(5:54) - Is the new "deal" a win for the owners(11:01) - With the shortened season, is it possible to get a Cubs/Sox World Series?(14:24) - Cubs considered trading Javy Baez to the Sox(21:56) - Kris Bryant could have been traded to the Rockies in February

Former Cub & Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais on Sammy Sosa’s 1998 season

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?(13:43) - Servais tells the story of catching during the game McGwire broke the record(19:30) - Panel discussion - Why did Manfred say he's not confident that there will be a season?(30:10) - Do the players have to yield to the owners eventually?

Cubs draft Ed Howard and Matt Szczur talks art and Sosa/McGwire

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 round4:45 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 Are negotiations headed in the right direction?12:00 Expectations on how many regular season games will be played13:00 Will the coronavirus shutdown ultimately be good for Anthony Rizzo’s health15:45 Matt Szczur on painting inspired by The Last Dance16:45 Memories of the Cubs championship parade19:00 On his Sosa/McGwire paintings and his memories from the home run race20:15 Szczur on being coached by Mark McGwire21:30 Memories of Sammy Sosa24:00 Matt’s inspiration for Sosa/McGwire painting & other Cubs inspirations28:00 Matt on art being therapeutic29:00 Matt on his foundation

Will Sosa return to Wrigley and will we have baseball in 2020?

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 Cubs3:30 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 Fame10:30 St. Louis Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt says MLB isn’t very profitable13:15 Is the latest MLB proposal a step towards playing baseball in 2020?16:00 Will animosity between players & owners affect negotiations for the next CBAt?19:00 There is too much at stake to not play baseball in 202020:00 Will baseball be better hiring people of color in the coming years?24:00 The lack of sense of urgency on both sides to make a deal to play baseball26:45 Theo Epstein would be a great commissioner of baseball

Former Cub Bobby Scales on impacting change in baseball and America

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 being black in baseball and in America

Society’s issues through the lens of baseball

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.

Did the MLB owners push the players too far from the negotiating table?

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 financial situation that they are in?(17:32) - Can baseball recover if there isn't a season?(23:42) - Will the Cubs move money off the books?

MLB owners and players are still far apart

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 doesn't get done, will the players take the blame(17:05) - Interview with Brad Balukjian author of "The Wax Pack"

Dr. Robert Citronberg on the new MLB safety rules

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 the safety plan, should the MLB go forward with the season?(19:52) - How does the new safety rules impact the Cubs

Former Cub Ryan Theriot on the summer of 2008

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 in 2008?