Cubs Talk Podcast

Ep. 165: Cubs Convention Kicks Off & Fergie Jenkins

Ep. 164: Top story lines for 2019

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Luke Stuckmeyer, David Kaplan, Kelly Crull and Tony Andracki discuss the biggest storylines for the Cubs heading into the 2019 season01:00 - Predictions for the rest of the 2019 off-season03:00 - Are the Cubs falling behind in the NL Central?06:30 - The need for a veteran catcher to play behind Willson Contreras08:00 - Lack of long-term contracts being handed out this off-season10:30 - Will Kyle Schwarber reach his potential?14:45 - What will David Bote's role be in 2019?17:45 - Will the new coaching staff make a difference in 2019?21:30 - Where does Ian Happ fit into the Cubs plan25:00 - Will Joe ever settle on 3 outfielders to get almost all of the playing time?

Ep. 163: Len Kasper Stops By

The TV voice of the Cubs, Len Kasper, stops by the CubsTalk Podcast before the Cubs Convention kicks off. Kasper discusses the outlook for 2019, and picks his "breakout" candidate on the Cubs offense. Len also answers some listener questions at the end of the podcast.00:00:13Some of the best Len Kasper play-by-play calls from the Cubs 2018 season.00:01:36Len talks about his excitement for the 2019 season, and the difficulty the team will face in an improved National League Central.00:02:35Kasper reflects on the NL Central from 2018, calling it the toughest division in baseball. Offseason moves take focus as spring training draws near.00:04:32Len talks about the Cubs payroll situation and where the club is in their pursuit of another World Series championship.00:07:40Kasper discusses the biggest improvement he thinks the Cubs can make as a team in 2019.00:09:11Len picks some "bounce-back" candidates, and makes a pick for a "breakout" player in 2019.00:10:10Kap asks Kasper about Kris Bryant's defensive future with the Cubs (3B or OF.)00:11:28Len talks about the Cubs starting rotation and the health of Yu Darvish heading into this season.00:13:45Len Kasper answers some Twitter questions from Cubs fans, and @thekapman.

Ep. 162: CubsTalk Podcast with Ryne Sandberg

00:29 - Ryne talks about looking forward to the 2019 season.01:29 - Sandberg on what changed for him as a player after his MVP season in 1984.02:53 - Ryne talks about lineup consistency and how much the game has changed for players on a day-by-day basis since he was a player.05:21 - Sandberg on being the highest paid player in baseball back in 1992, and how it affected his approach to the game.07:01 - Ryne talks about Lee Smith being inducted to the Hall of Fame, some favorite memories of playing with Smith, and the importance of the bullpen in today's game.08:39 - Sandberg on the impact assistant coaches can have on a big league team. Coaches were more hands-off when Ryne played, as opposed to the more involved role they tend to take with current players.11:15 - Ryne talks about the 1984 team, and what the feeling was like leading up to that historic Cubs season.13:04 -Sandberg remembers the Sutcliffe trade with the Indians in June of 1984.14:44 - Ryne remembers "The Sandberg Game" from June 23, 1984. Even down to wind conditions and what type of pitches he saw from Bruce Sutter in the 9th and 10th innings.17:28 - Sandberg on the impact "The Sandberg Game" had on the 1984 Cubs - and the franchise overall. Ryno also recalls the first time he noticed fans on rooftops across the street from Wrigley Field.19:01 - Ryne talks about the talent on the current Cubs team, specifically Anthony Rizzo.20:42 - Sandberg on the "unsung heroes" of the 1984 Cubs. Specifically Gary Matthews. Ryne credits "Sarge" with changing his career more than any other teammate.21:54 - Ryne recalls the atmosphere and fans around Wrigley Field following the Cubs 13-0, game 1 win in the 1984 NLCS vs. San Diego.22:34 - Sandberg on the difficulty of losing the NLCS to the Padres in 1984. He says it took him weeks to get over the shock that the '84 Cubs would not play in the World Series.23:38 - Ryne remembers back to the very first Cubs Convention in 1986. Minus-20 degree wind chill and all.

Ep 161: Bob Nightengale gives his take on the offseason

On the latest Cubs Talk Podcast, Luke Stuckmeyer and David Kaplan are joined by USA Today baseball columnist Bob Nightengale00:45 Does Bob stand by prediction of Bryce Harper going to the Phillies01:30 Is a 7-year deal enough to land Harper of Manny Machado?03:00 Are the Cubs the sleeper team in the Harper sweepstakes?05:00 Are the Cubs still considered an elite team in the National League06:45 Which team has made the most moves during this offseason?07:30 Does Troy Tulowitzki going to the Yankees take them out of the running for Machado09:30 Impact of December's Dodgers/Reds trade10:30 Joe Maddon's future and who might be replace him as manager of the Cubs12:45 Any big moves coming in the next few weeks from the Cubs or White Sox?

Ep. 160: A Cup of Joe, Part 2

In the second part of Joe Maddon’s winter meetings media session, the Cubs skipper outlines his philosophy concerning the ideal mix of veteran leadership in his clubhouse (:45), and also discusses how Kyle Schwarber (3:35) and Willson Contreras (10:25) can each unlock their potential in the upcoming 2019 season. Finally, Joe reveals his secret to connecting with today’s players (12:45)

Ep. 159: A Cup of Joe, Part 1

Cubs manager Joe Maddon held court at the winter meetings earlier this month in Las Vegas and covered a wide variety of topics. In part one of two, Joe talks about the bad taste in his mouth after last season’s quick playoff exit (:35), how his managing style will change next season (3:00) and why he’s not worried about entering the final year of his contract without an extension (10:35).

Ep. 158: Cubs Season in Review

Luke Stuckmeyer and Kelly Crull take one last look back at the 2018 season that was, and start by giving their one-word description of last year (:30), before going through all the weather problems and Yu Darvish’s struggles in the spring (2:15), some walk-off fun over the summer (8:00), and the disappointing finish as the calendar turned to fall (17:20).

Ep. 157: Hottovy on the Pitching Staff & Szczur’s Aspiring Art Career

On this episode of the CubsTalk podcast, we catch up with new Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy in Las Vegas (1:00). Hottovy discusses his relationships with the current Cubs staff, his biggest challenge in 2019, and his quick transition from playing to coaching. Later, Luke Stuckmeyer speaks with former Cub and 2016 World Series Champion Matt Szczur, whose painting of the final out from the 2016 World Series is catching eyes all over the internet (15:50). Szczur also details his role in helping Anthony Rizzo get going in the 2016 NLCS, and how he keeps in touch with all his former teammates.

Ep. 156: Winter Meetings recap

When nothing happens in Vegas, it stays in Vegas. Luke, Kap and Tony talk about the Cubs lack of moves during the Winter MeetingsIn this episode of The Cubs Talk Podcast with Luke Stuckmeyer, David Kaplan and Tony Andracki:00:10 - What happen in Vegas stays in Vegas and this year that means nothing. Luke, Kap & Tony talk Cubs lack of moves at Winter Meetings.00:50 - Where the heck is all the money? This was supposed to be a wide-open window - we step on the accelerator.01:25 - Cubs keep throwing money at the problem (Chatwood, Darvish) and it has become a cautionary tale.02:50 - Are the Cubs playing at the shallow end of the kiddie pool?03:50 - Tony talks about the volatility of the relief market.05:15 - Where is the bullpen market? Brewers are making moves, but it's still "crickets" for the Cubs06:20 - Tony: Other than bullpen - Cubs have to address backup middle infielder most of all.06:57 - Daniel Descalso rumors. Kap describes him as a grinder who fits the leadership mold.07:47 - Luke is a little worried about Steve Cishek. He threw a career-high 70 innings last season09:34 - The guys talk about the possibility of a "second deadline" for the Winter Meetings to force clubs to make more moves.11:06 - Luke: "I wanted to see Machado and Harper walking down the strip and making it rain!"12:45 - Cubs still have so much to address. Some Cubs fans are starting to get a little itchy. Teams in the division are making moves. What about us?14:45 - Question: Is Anthony Rizzo the third-best 1st baseman in the Central Division?15:50 - Prediction time: What's biggest move the Cubs will make before opening day? Kap believes that Ian Happ will not be a Cub before the regular season starts.