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Did Willson Contreras Just Put Up The Best Offensive Performance As A Catcher in MLB History?

By
Gus
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It’s funny to think about the fact that about a month ago, baseball experts started to question if Willson Contreras was actually going to live up to all the hype in 2018. He lacked eye popping numbers through the month of April and didn’t get his first home run until the 20th game of the season, so the man that many people (including myself) picked to have an MVP season, was slumping mightily.

Until now.

Contreras went bat shit crazy today all over the Chicago White Sox and their little league pitching as the Cubs beat the White Sox 11-2. Willy finished the day 4-5 with two doubles, two home runs, two runs, seven RBIs, and 12 (yes, 12) total bases. He’s just the fourth NL player since 1920 to have multiple doubles and multiple home runs AND seven or more RBIs in a game.

Here are four of his seven RBIs.

While the numbers speak for themselves, what’s even more impressive is the fact that Willy put up those numbers as a catcher. Historically, catchers have only really been asked to manage the team’s pitching staff and nothing was really expected in terms of offensive output. In my lifetime, I can think of a handful of catchers who were able to consistently put up solid offensive numbers through their career and while I’ll be the first to admit that Contreras has a LONG way to go, Cubs fans have to be excited about his sky high potential.

Contreras’ offensive explosion today put him in a very select group of catchers that have pulled off similar games in their careers.

I won’t waste time arguing if Willy had a better game than Piazza or Mitterwald because it’d be about as logical as the Michael vs. LeBron argument. Quality of pitching was different, metrics weren’t available in the 70s, and I’m sure Piazza was juicing so let’s just all agree Willy had himself a goddamn day.

Sure, it’s only one game but if you look at what Contreras has done in the last week or so of baseball, it’s nothing short of amazing. Per Michael Cerami, in his last four games, Willy has hit for the cycle TWICE and has a 121 wRC+ which trails only Buster Posey (124 wRC+) and has raised his OPS 162 points in only two games.

Safe to say that Willson has gotten hot at the right time.

 

 

 

 

 

One Bears Undrafted Free Agent Is Already Turning Heads

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears training camp

Minicamps are not the place to start getting overly excited about players. More than anything it’s a nice time for coaches to see if they have anybody on the field who might be worth giving a second, closer look in training camp. This is especially true for tryout players and Chicago Bears undrafted free agents. Every positive play they can make in practice is a critical step closer to securing a possible roster spot.

On Friday the team started their rookie minicamps which included all their draft picks, undrafted free agents, and some tryout players as well from local schools. Sprinkled in were a number of veterans such as quarterback Anthony Murray and cornerback Antwon Blake. Proof that it’s not just the kids who are hunting for jobs too.

It’s not going to be easy for these guys to make the final roster. Remember it will be narrowed from 90 to 53 by the end of August. Most of the names people hear about as “sleepers” between now and then won’t make the cut. That’s why every single practice is crucial. One guy seems to have taken that message to heart.

Matt Nagy singles out Kevin Toliver as a Day 1 standout

There were a number of standouts in the first minicamp practice to head coach Matt Nagy, but only one he noted by name during his post-practice presser. That was undrafted rookie cornerback Kevin Toliver.

It’s encouraging to hear that. Toliver was touted by a number of experts to be the best undrafted signing the Bears made. A year ago some had the LSU product as a closet threat to go in the first round. Unfortunately, a variety of circumstances killed his momentum. He battled a knee injury in 2015, then a shoulder problem in 2016. Last year he was healthy but by then had lost much of his playing time to others.

He’s also rumored to have ego problems that can turn some people off. Still, given his 6’2″ frame and athletic prowess, it was a shock that he went undrafted. Most had him somewhere in the fourth round. So it’s clear the Bears got some value in terms of physical capability. LSU has often been a factory for good cornerbacks.

Vic Fangio is no stranger to turn unheralded defensive backs into good players. Toliver has the type of style that the Bears defensive coordinator likes. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he challenged and won a roster spot.

VIDEO: Willson Contreras Destroys 435-Foot Home Run

By
Aldo Soto
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Willson Contreras only had one home run before Friday’s game against the Chicago White Sox, but the Cubs catcher tripled his total, hitting two bombs in the series opener.

First was the grand slam in the first inning that gave the Cubs a 5-0 lead and then he destroyed a 435-foot homer in the sixth.

Pimp that shit Willy! Pimp it!

John Fox Isn’t Closing The Door On Coaching Again

By
Kyle Yates
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john fox

The John Fox era in Chicago didn’t go very well, to say the least. The Bears went 14-34 in his tenure as head coach and never rose out of the cellar of the NFC North.

Fox was fired from coaching the Bears in January and Matt Nagy was hired on as his replacement. Since then, the Nagy hire has been praised left and right by former teammates, colleagues and peers. Nagy has helped spearhead an incredible off-season, alongside Ryan Pace and Vic Fangio, and optimism seems to be higher than ever in Chicago.

All the while, Fox took some time away from the sport and eventually took a job at ESPN as an in-studio analyst. We have yet to see Foxy in action as a member of the media, but he recently sat down with Jonathan Jones of Sports Illustrated to talk about the new position and his feelings about the Bears. He then revealed that he may feel like he has some unfinished business in the NFL…

When asked about if he’s shut the door on coaching again in the NFL, Fox had this to say…

“No, I don’t think you ever shut the door on anything. I’m pretty open-minded.

This (ESPN JOB) is a new adventure for me. I might love it and shut my own door. I honestly don’t know. It’s just too hard to predict.”

Fox has had a successful history of coaching in the NFL outside of his three years in Chicago. He finished just above .500 in his time in Carolina and went 46-18 in his time with the Denver Broncos, making a couple of Super Bowl appearances in that time frame.

With that being said, Fox was dealt a poor hand when he first came to Chicago. The team was coming off of a rough year, where the previous head coach had completely lost the locker room. The roster was old, with a dearth of talent, and some “cancers” in the building.

To his credit, he came in and stabilized the organization and instilled a foundation that Nagy is certainly appreciative of. Fox is a leader of men and that’s one of the most important characteristics in a head coach. Another team could potentially find those characteristics valuable.

Would Fox ever be given another shot to coach in the NFL?

With his age (63) and the archaic form of offense he ran last year, the answer seems to be no. But, then again, we’ve seen crazier things happen in the NFL. All it takes is one team to give him a call to be their head coach.

Fox doesn’t seem too opposed to the idea.

VIDEO: Kyle Schwarber Throws Nicky Delmonico Out By A Mile At Home

By
Aldo Soto
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We could have had a repeat of A. J. Pierzynski and Michael Barrett from 2006 on Friday, but Nicky Delmonico was toast at home plate, where Willson Contreras was waiting for him after Kyle Schwarber threw a bullet from left field.

Schwarber may not be graceful out in left, but teams still haven’t learned that he has a great arm. The White Sox learned that lesson today.

VIDEO: Kris Bryant Launches A Rocket Against The White Sox

By
Aldo Soto
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Kris Bryant only had two home runs after April, but the Chicago Cubs star third baseman has definitely found his power stroke. He launched a solo home run Friday against the White Sox, giving him five dingers in May and four in the last five games.

Even with the wind blowing in this rocket by Bryant was a no-doubter off Hector Santiago, who came in relief of Carson Fulmer in the second inning.

Bryant’s reached base all three times he’s been up to bat so far today.

Chicago Bears Bold Predictions For the 2018 Season

By
Erik Lambert
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chicago bears bold predictions

Chicago Bears bold predictions haven’t had the best luck the past few years. At least the positive ones haven’t. Yet this feels like a year where that could be different. They’ve got one of the youngest and more intriguing rosters in the NFL. That’s supported by a new coaching staff loaded with a perfect blend of young football nerds and old teachers. So what should fans be expecting as 2018 prepares to kick off in a few months?

Here are some things to watch out for.

Mitch Trubisky becomes first Bears QB to top 4,000 yards passing

No Bears quarterback has ever topped 4,000 yards passing. Let that sink in. The first time a QB threw for over 4,000 was back in 1967. Joe Namath holds that honor. Since then it’s happened another 162 times through this past season. Not once has a Bears quarterback done that. The closest one came was in 1995 when Erik Kramer set the franchise record with 3,838 yards. Jay Cutler likely would’ve done it in 2014 if he hadn’t been benched for a game. He finished with 3,812.

At long last, expect this embarrassing mark to finally fall. Mitch Trubisky will become the first in franchise history to go over 4,000 thanks to his new coaching staff and revamped receiving corp.

Jordan Howard scores 15 rushing touchdowns

Ready for a surprising admission. The NFL record for rushing touchdowns in a season is 28, set by LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006. In league history, a total of 58 players have scored 15 or more in a year. This includes names like LenDale White of all people. Meanwhile, the Bears single-season record has sat undisturbed at 14, held in tandem by greats Walter Payton and Gale Sayers. Expect that to be the next mark Jordan Howard conquers.

A big reason why is he has a huge advantage coming his way. This may be the best passing offense the Bears have fielded since 2013 and Howard is a far better red zone runner than Matt Forte was, who scored nine TDs that year. Expect Howard to hit 15 by the season finale.

Kevin White plays a full season and makes game-winning TD catch

Five games. That’s the extent of Kevin White’s NFL experience so far. Two broken legs and a fractured shoulder blade have robbed him of the past three years. Most have already given up hope that the former first round pick can amount to anything. Yet he continues his battle to reach that potential. Perhaps now with fewer responsibilities and less pressure thanks to the Bears’ additions at receiver, he can relax and just play.

Not only will White go the entire year without major injury, he’ll also re-emerge into the spotlight at some point this season to deliver Chicago a game-clinching touchdown catch.

Leonard Floyd has 12 sacks including four in one game

A lot of the expectations for the Bears pass rush in 2018 has been shoved onto the back of Leonard Floyd. A side effect of their inability to add a credible presence across from him. Maybe Aaron Lynch or Kyle Fitts surprise but that feels unlikely. Floyd has to deliver this year. He’s been close the past two seasons but injuries and lack of discipline have continued to hamper his progress.

This year he’ll finally deliver with a breakout 12-sack campaign. Not only that, but he’ll also have his first signature game as a Bear where he’ll notch a third of those sacks in one afternoon.

Roquan Smith will lead the entire defense in tackles

Tackles are a somewhat dodgy statistic given they can be easily inflated by people at times. Still, it’s proven reliable for inside linebackers over the years. It’s rare for rookies at that position to lead their teams right out of the gate. Can anybody guess the last time it happened in Chicago? That’s right. It was Brian Urlacher in 2000 with 125 tackles. Enough to win him Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Roquan Smith is the first inside linebacker they’ve drafted in the first round since Urlacher. He couldn’t possibly have a similar immediate impact, right? Wrong. He will end up leading the team in tackles by the time the season concludes.

Eddie Jackson snags six interceptions

His rookie year was quite promising of what’s to come. Eddie Jackson may have been a fourth round pick but he has first round skills. His mixture of athleticism and ball skills show up constantly. Now that he’s properly installed in the Vic Fangio offense, it’s fair to expect big things from him. So here’s an interesting nugget. No Bears safety has topped five interceptions in a season in the new millennium.

None has done it for the past 28 years in fact when Mark Carrier had 10 in 1990. Mike Brown and Chris Harris each had five in 2001 and 2010 respectively. Jackson will become the first to break that barrier with six in 2018.

Bears double their win total from 2018

The last time the Bears had double-digit wins in a season was 2012. It’s hard to believe how long it’s been. So long that not a single member of that roster is on the one that prepares to take the field this year. They went 10-6 that season but missed the playoffs. It’s unknown if the Bears can make it to the postseason this year with such a loaded conference to navigate. Still, they will accomplish that first goal.

Nobody believes Chicago is an NFC threat. That’s normal after four-straight years of losing. Experts never see the first winning season coming, just like with the Rams last year. Expect this group to double the win total from last year.

VIDEO: Willson Contreras Crushes A Grand Slam Off Carson Fulmer

By
Aldo Soto
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Carson Fulmer sucks. He’s trash. He’s garbage. Part of the White Sox future? For the sake of White Sox fans, I hope not. The Chicago Cubs jumped all over him on Friday, sent nine batters to the plate and Willson Contreras crushed a grand slam to make it 5-0.

The good times keep rolling for the Cubs and for the White Sox, this is what year two of a rebuild feels like.

The Hidden Talent of Matt Nagy People Should Be Jacked About

By
Erik Lambert
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matt nagy

Matt Nagy taking over as head coach of the Chicago Bears was a mild surprise. Everybody knew he had a growing reputation in Kansas City, but he still seemed inexperienced with just two seasons as an offensive coordinator. Yet that didn’t seem to deter GM Ryan Pace. After an exhaustive research and evaluation process, he came to the conclusion that Nagy was the exact person he wanted taking over the development of Mitch Trubisky.

There are many reasons to be excited about this hire. Nagy is a former quarterback himself. He understands how to communicate with that position, unlike John Fox. He’s an understudy of Andy Reid, one of the best QB developers in the NFL over the past two decades. He is also far more willing to embrace the ideas of a spread offense, something Dowell Loggains seemed to avoid despite knowing Trubisky thrived in that style at North Carolina.

The simple willingness to embrace new ideas and concepts are things the young head coach will bring to the table as well. However, there is something he’s proven remarkably good at people tend to overlook. Something that can completely transform the Bears offense in the near future.

Matt Nagy is a specialist in the deep passing game

One of the biggest issues that critics had with quarterback Alex Smith for years was his inability to attack defenses vertically. His perceived lack of true arm strength and deep accuracy forced him to play the quick pass game, leading to labels of being a game manager. Amazingly that all changed when Nagy arrived. Last year Smith became the most efficient and effective deep thrower in the NFL.

It was unquestionably the best season of Smith’s career. He averaged 269.5 yards per game, 11.9 yards per completion, and 8.6 per attempt. All of those are career highs. Nonetheless, he finished the year with a personal best 104.7 quarterback rating and a staggeringly low 1.0% interception rate. It doesn’t get much better than that.

This is terrific news for Trubisky for a couple reasons. It means Nagy understands how to orchestrate an offensive attack that gets receivers open down the field. A persistent problem that bedeviled the Bears under Loggains. Also, it allows the young quarterback to showcase one of his own underrated talents.

Trubisky showcased during his limited opportunities that he can be a dangerous passer deep down the field due to strong accuracy and ball placement. All he needed was weapons to work with and a coach willing to turn him loose. With Nagy in town now, things should get fun in a hurry.

Here Are Your Top 5 Crosstown Classic Moments

By
Gus
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It’s that time again Chicago baseball fans.

Since interleague play began in 1997, the White Sox and Cubs have routinely played each other six times each year and have given us some unforgettable moments in Chicago baseball. Records become irrelevant for the next four days as the two teams will battle for supremacy in Chicago as well as giving their respective fan bases shit talking privileges for the next year.

To prep you for game one of the 2018 Crosstown classic today at 1:20, I compiled what I thought have been the top five moments in Cubs/Sox history.

Also note that I’m a HUGE Cubs fan so giving the White Sox any spots in this top five pained me to my core but fair is fair.

5. Carlos Lee Walk-Off Granny

In 2001, both the Cubs and White Sox were red hot when they met on June 9th. The Sox had won 11 of their last 13 games while the Cubs had only lost once in the previous sixteen games.

With the game tied at three in the bottom of the tenth, Cubs relief pitcher Courtney Duncan hung an 0-1 slider to Lee which, as you can see, was a very poor decision.

4. Brant Brown Walk-Off

I know what you’re thinking if you’re a Cubs fan — “F*ck Brant Brown.” Brown will go down in Cubs history for dropping that damn fly ball in Milwaukee in 1998 with the Cubs in the thick of the Wild Card race. Although the Cubs lost the game, they ended up winning the one-game play in to reach the playoffs but Brown will forever go down as the guy who ALMOST blew it for the Cubs.

I’ll share one of the positive memories of Brown from earlier in that 1998 season. With the game tied in the bottom of the 12th inning, Brown hit a walk-off bomb that had Cubs fans saying he’d be the next big thing for Cubs baseball (until he dropped that flyball in September and turned into Brant “f*cking” Brown.)

3. A-Ram Walk Off BOMB

2008 was the first time the Cubs and Sox met as first place teams since interleague play began in 1997. Two first place teams meant a very tight ballgame throughout with the White Sox holding a one-run lead going into the bottom half of the ninth inning.

Ramirez stepped in to face White Sox reliever Scott Linebrink with a runner on first and a 1-0 count. ARam already went yard in the seventh and he decided to send every Cubs fan home happy in the bottom of the ninth.

2. Paul Konerko Gets Drilled, Then Goes Deep Twice

Nobody has had better success as  White Sox player than Paul Konerko. In his career against the Cubs, Konerko has 59 RBIs, and OPS of .953, and has slugged 20 home runs during that span.

Two of those bombs came in the 2002 Cubs/Sox game after Konerko was drilled in the head by a Kerry Wood curve ball in the bottom of the fourth inning. I’m pretty sure he was concussed but he decided to stay in the game and help the Sox overcome an eight-run deficit to defeat the Cubs 13-8.

1.Barrett and AJ at the plate

This one is a no-brainer. In 2006, the Cubs and Sox squared off on the South Side. The teams were trending in opposite directions with the Sox coming off their World Series championship and the Cubs still trying to recover from choking one away in 2003. I’m sure that played a bit into the rivalry that year as the White Sox clearly had a chip on their shoulder that season.

In the second inning of the game, Pierzynski scored after Cubs catcher Michael Barrett dropped the ball in a collision at the plate on a sacrifice fly by Brian Anderson. Pierzynski then made matters worse by pounding home plate after scoring like a complete jagoff and Barrett did what every Cubs fan has wanted to do since they ever laid eyes on Pierzynski — punch him in his ugly face.

Tune in today at 1:20 for a chance to see what could possibly be yet another memorable moment from the Crosstown Classic.

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