Even though they won the World Series championship over seven months ago, the Chicago Cubs are still reaping all the benefits. Before Wednesday’s game against the Miami Marlins, the team received these absolutely SICK customized putters from a local golf shop.
Bettinardi Golf, which is based in Tinley Park, IL, created these beautiful custom-fitted putters for members of the team, coaches, and front office staff. Bob Bettinardi has created a tradition of gifting customized putters to Chicago teams who win championships (Blackhawks 2010 and White Sox 2005) and the Cubs are the latest recipients of these bad ass putters.
“The putters are a limited-edition DASS model with the Chicago Cubs logo and 2016 World Series Champions stamped on the sole. The back cavity has a simple blue W and the rear bumpers have 1908 and 2016 in red paintfill. The headover is a striking replica of the Cubs’ home white pinstriped uniforms, complete with Cubs logo in blue and red.”
Many of the Cubs play golf in the off-season and from what I’ve read, it would come down to Kyle Hendricks or Kris Bryant being the best golfer on the team but let’s face it folks — if the Cubs don’t start playing better baseball, they’ll be getting to use this putter a lot sooner than they’d hoped.
It was a dark day for a lot of Chicago Bears fans when they heard the Alshon Jeffery Eagles signing went down. Many people were depressed because the team had lost its second former Pro Bowl receiver in two offseasons. That depression quickly turned to anger when they heard reports that Alshon actually called insider Adam Schefter asking what the other wide receivers were set to make in free agency.
Right then it became clear to Bears fans that Jeffery was only ever interested in making the most money possible. All his lines about wanting to stay in Chicago and the team would win a Super Bowl was BS. A fact driven home when he only signed a one-year deal with Philadelphia. It was apparent he wanted a guaranteed prove-it contract so he could increase his value before getting right back on the market
Of course all of that savvy planning hinges on one critical factor. He has to play well this season. Really well. Otherwise it’s a moot point.
Alshon Jeffery Eagles run off to a slow start
One can imagine Philadelphia fans were over the moon when the Jeffery signing went down. The overall goal of the entire 2017 offseason for their team was to put better receivers around their young quarterback Carson Wentz. This was considered their biggest fish captured. He was going to be the guy that made everything better.
So naturally he’d make that clear from the start, right? Well not so much. According to Eliot Shorr-Parks who covers the Eagles for NJ.com, he was asked whether Jeffery has stood out in Organized Team Activities thus far. The answer didn’t leave much room for interpretation.
Got asked on @CarlinReeseWIP if Alshon Jeffery has stood out and amazed so far in #Eagles OTAs.
My answer? Ehhhhhh
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) June 9, 2017
That’s certainly not something Eagles fans will want to hear. If it holds true into the season? Oh dear. Alshon is in for a world of pain. There are few fan bases that can be more brutal than Philadelphia when they aren’t happy. Shorr-Parks backtracked shortly afterwards stating Jeffery looked good but had not produced any “WOW” moments thus far.
There is no doubt the credibility of Alshon as a supposed #1 wide receiver is on life support. He hasn’t made the Pro Bowl since 2013 and hasn’t produced over 1,000 yards since 2014. Two years ago his seasons was reduced to nine games because of numerous injuries. Last year he missed another four due to a PED suspension.
In many ways this is his last serious chance at a big pay day. Could he find yet another way to blow it? Given his reputation, Bears fans would not be the least bit surprised.
GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 13: Charles Tillman #33 of the Chicago Bears forces a fumble by Jermichael Finley #88 of the Green Bay Packers during the game at Lambeau Field on September 13, 2012 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won 23-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
By this point pretty much all Chicago Bears fans have heard of the infamous “Peanut Punch.” It’s a style of play pioneered and perfected by by former Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Tillman. One in which he would quite literally punch the football out of the grasp of ball carriers. He did it so many times that soon he began teaching teammates how to do it.
Little did he know that he was changing how the game of football would be played by defensive backs. New Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara said as much during a recent interview with the Chicago Sun-Times. In the midst of talking about his expectations for 2017, the 28-year old couldn’t help but reference his connections to the franchise.
Most notably a story about how he first encountered the Peanut Punch and how it caught on with him and many others on the New York Giants.
Peanut Punch arrived in Big Apple via Zack Bowman
“Zack Bowman brought the Bears’ big secret to the Giants and, after some prodding, spread it like religion.
In 2014, members of his new team noticed that Bowman, a little-used cornerback toward the end of his six-year Bears career, kept forcing fumbles during preseason practice.
“It was crazy,” cornerback Prince Amukamara said. “Bowman came there and was getting about two turnovers a day just by punching the ball. Just because it was new. (Receivers) didn’t know how to lock it in. Guys hadn’t seen it or experienced that type of pressure.”
Finally, his fellow Giants cornerbacks — including Amukamara, who the Bears signed to a one-year, $7 million deal in March — asked him about the secret.
It was, of course, the Peanut Punch, popularized by former Bears cornerback Charles Tillman.
“Guys started inquiring, and asking, ‘Man, how are you doing it?’” Amukamara said. “And then after that, me and the other guys, we started doing it. …
“We were all thankful that Bowman taught us that.”
Zack Bowman was embracing the punch long before he arrived in New York. In fact he employed it successfully on a number of occasions. None more memorable, ironically, than during a game against the Giants in 2010.
Lasting legacy
Bowman spent six seasons with the Bears. He elevated in and out of the starting lineup on defense throughout that time. He never could stick though due to consistency issues. That didn’t stop him from taking the lessons he learned to heart though. Despite spending just one year in New York, his tips about the punch seemed to stick.
A year after Bowman was one the team, the Giants forced 18 fumbles in 2015. Six of them were caused by defensive backs. That’s a pretty substantial impact and a perfect encapsulation of how far Tillman’s influence has gone throughout the league. Nowadays other cornerbacks are using variations of it to great effect. Of course they have a long way to go to top the master.
Tillman retired with 44 forced fumbles in his career. That’s the most for any defensive back in NFL history. People may imitate him, but they’ll never duplicate him.
Everyone at Wrigley Field knew it, you watching at home, people watching at a bar, your blind uncle, everyone saw Anthony Rizzo take strike three down the middle of the plate in the first inning except for home plate umpire Dan Bellino.
This was so obvious, even if the catcher had to move his glove back across the plate. Rizzo immediately put his head down and began to take a few steps toward the Chicago Cubs dugout, but no, the pitch down the middle of the plate was called ball 3.
It was such a ridiculous call that Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies couldn’t hold their laughter.
This is what I'm talking about. Rizzo knows it's strike 3 because it's down the middle of the plate. Len and JD just start laughing. #Cubspic.twitter.com/716aLFSzW6
Rizzo then took ball four in the dirt and after Ben Zobrist singled, Jason Heyward had a run-scoring hit to center. Zobrist was also able to score on the Heyward hit because the Rockies misplayed the ball in the outfield, giving the Cubs an early 2-0 lead.
So, there you go, umpires still suck. And I don’t care that this favored the Cubs, it’s complete bullshit because it keeps happening when there’s a solution right on the screen to fix the issue of calling balls and strikes.
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 31: General manager Rick Hahn of the Chicago White Sox talks with manager Robin Ventura before the Opening Day game between the White Sox and the Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field on March 31, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rick Hahn; Robin Ventura
Now that the Luis Robert hype has finally started to settle, fans will be turning their attention to the next phase of the White Sox rebuild: the 2017 MLB Draft. Everyone already seems to be looking ahead to the 2018 Draft, when Seth Beer will be in play. That’s fine and all, but the 2017 MLB Draft is going to produce many stars in its own right. RHP/SS Hunter Greene, LHP/1B Brendan McKay, and RHP Kyle Wright are the “Big 3” this year, but there is still plenty talent to be had. Today, I see three perfect fits for the White Sox at no. 11. Whether or not they will be there is a different story. That being said, here are the three prospects the White Sox could be in play for come Monday.
1) 1B Pavin Smith- Junior, Virginia
Pavin Smith has been regarded as having one of the best bats in the country. Standing at 6’2, 210 lb, he has the build to become a legit slugger in the MLB. And with Jose Abreu not getting any younger, there is eventually going to be a need for a first baseman. Perhaps the most incredible trait Smith possesses is his plate discipline. Through 43 games this season he has 10 home runs, compared to just 6 (!) strikeouts. There is no doubt amongst anyone that he is one of, if not the toughest out in college baseball.
The combination of power, high on-base percentage, and a future need at first base all factor into this pick. If Smith is available at no. 11, don’t be shocked if the White Sox pounce.
2) OF Austin Beck- Prep Senior
Beck tore his ACL last season, causing him to miss all of last summer’s showcase circuit. However, this season he has shown everyone why he is still very much worthy of a top-10 pick. A 5-tool player, Beck uses his elite bat speed to generate most of his power. He also uses 60 grade speed both in the field and on the base paths. Some scouts worry about his swing and how he will handle a wooden bat once he goes pro, but if he can adjust, he could be a 25-25 threat and should blossom into a star.
1) OF Jeren Kendall- Junior, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt has a proven track history of producing studs, and Jeren Kendall is just another example of that. The most “toolsy” player in this draft, there were talks of him going no. 1 overall early last year. Standing at just 5’10 180 lb, Kendall possesses a decent amount of strength which comes from his short, simple swing. The best aspect of his game though is definitely his elite speed. Grading out at 70, he uses it both in the field and on the base paths, and can stretch a double into a triple with relative ease. Pair all of this with his cannon of an arm, and we are looking at one of the top talents in the draft. So, why would he be in play for the White Sox outside of the top 10?
Strikeout rate.
Last season his strikeout rate was already high at 21%. This year it has actually gotten worse as it is hovering around 25%, causing some teams to shy away in fear that he won’t tap into his offensive ceiling. Scouts compare his overall game to Jacoby Ellsbury but with a much stronger arm. If he is available at 11, he will undoubtedly be selected by Rick Hahn. Kendall and Luis Robert would eventually form 2/3 of the fastest outfield in all of baseball, and that has to sound enticing to the entire front office.
Earlier today, the 312 Podcast spoke with MLB.com’s Jim Callis on the potential of Kendall dropping to the White Sox. You can check out the full episode above, or skip to 5:10 to hear about the White Sox.
Free agency didn’t start well for the Bears this past March. A number of the top free agents they reportedly had targeted, including all the highest rated cornerbacks signed with other teams. Stephon Gilmore went to New England. A.J. Bouye headed down to Jacksonville and Logan Ryan signed on with Tennessee. It looked like Chicago was about to strike out in the worst way. Thankfully the Prince Amukamara signing happened shortly after.
Though he wasn’t considered at the same level as those other names, the veteran former first round pick had played well in the past. His brief run in Jacksonville the year before had been solid. About to turn 28-years old, he was entering the prime of his career. If nothing else he would give the Bears much-needed stability on the back end.
What many people may not know is the team got some extra assistance in the deal from an unlikely source.
Prince Amukamara signing was aided by other NFL coaches
Speaking with Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Amukamara made a rather interesting revelation. As it turns out what sold him on the deal with Chicago was the assurance from other coaches he knew that he’d love playing for Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. That much of what he did scheme-wise was a great fit for what the cornerback preferred to do on the field. It was just a natural fit.
“Former coaches told him how much he’d like playing for the Bears’ defensive coordinator. Like that of former Giants coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Fangio’s scheme allows Amukamara to watch the quarterback’s eyes and more aggressively pursue a pass.
“You get to have vision, you get to see the ball and you get to make plays on the ball,” he said. “You get to challenge the receivers. I would say Vic is similar to Spagnuolo … just because they don’t like to wait for the offense to attack them.
“They like to attack the offense. They’re sending blitzes from all sorts of directions and are not making the pocket comfortable for the quarterback.”
Finding the right fit is key
Amukamara played just one season for Spagnuolo in 2015. However, it almost ended up being the best of his career. Through 11 games he’d picked up 63 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and 10 passes defended. He was on pace for career highs in all of those categories when he unfortunately got hurt and missed the rest of the season. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 17th best cornerback that year despite missing five games.
Fangio does have a reputation for getting the most out of defensive backs. Including turning ones who might be on the downside of their career into top performers. A perfect example was Carlos Rogers. In 2011, the veteran former first round pick (sound familiar?) had spent six rather unremarkable years with the Washington Redskins. Much of that time marred by injury. Sound familiar? He chose to sign with the San Francisco 49ers that year in hopes for a fresh start.
Under Fangio’s direction, he produced the best season of his career with six interceptions and a Pro Bowl nod at the age of 30. Keep in mind Rogers had eight interceptions total in his career prior to that season. Knowing that makes this little venture by the Bears with Amukamara seem a little more enticing by the minute.
It was a total thrill watching Jordan Howard emerge into a star last season. The first sign in years that the Bears could locate top talent late in the draft. However, he didn’t do it alone. A lot of people were left wondering where the Cody Whitehair Pro Bowl votes were. The former second round pick was outstanding in his rookie year as well. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the sixth-best center in the entire NFL.
That’s pretty good for never having played the position before. He was also durable. While Josh Sitton and Kyle Long both missed time with injury, he played all 16 games. A good sign of things to come. If he was that good without experience, how much better could he get? Seems the experts believe a lot better.
Cody Whitehair Pro Bowl buzz is real
Marc Sessler of NFL.com was tasked with revealing one player from each team who would make their first Pro Bowl in 2017. His choice for Chicago? You guessed it. Whitehair had some competition in the form of fellow 2016 pick Leonard Floyd, but durability was the deciding factor. To say nothing of the Bears’ long history of success at center.
“Cody Whitehair, center: Chicago’s team-building process remains an enigma. The low-wattage offense suggests few Pro Bowl candidates beyond Jordan Howard, who already made the all-star affair as a rookie running back. With Mike Glennon — and potentially rookie Mitchell Trubisky — under center, good luck pinpointing potential Pro Bowlers in the passing game. A more logical candidate comes in the form of Whitehair, the second-year center who finished last season as the sixth-ranked player at his position, per Pro Football Focus. The second-rounder improved as the season wound on and gives the Bears a strong presence up front.”
The Bears offensive line paved the way for the second-leading rusher in 2016 and also gave up just 28 sacks. If they repeat that venture in 2017, it’s only going to increase the exposure of just how good Whitehair is. Provided they can win a few more games, it stands to reason he’ll get the necessary votes. If he doesn’t, one can expect Bears fans to start burning things to the ground. They’ve gotten pretty good at it of late after years of frustration.
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 26: Kyle Hendricks #28 of the Chicago Cubs in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 26, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
The Chicago Cubs have placed right-handed pitcher Kyle Hendricks on the 10-day disabled list and lefty Mike Montgomery will start in his place on Friday against the Colorado Rockies.
Hendricks is being sidelined because of tendinitis in his right hand. The Cubs also called up right-handed pitcher Seth Frankoff from Triple-A Iowa to take Hendricks’ roster spot.
RHP Seth Frankoff to be called up from Iowa. 40-man roster move TBA.
In 11 starts so far this season, Hendricks has put up a 4.09 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. He wasn’t particularly good in his last two starts against the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres, respectively, allowing nine earned runs in nine combined innings.
Frankoff, cool name, is 27-years-old and has pitched well at Triple-A this year. He’s made nine starts and has pitched in 11 total games for Iowa, compiling a 1-2 record with a 2.77 ERA and 0.94 WHIP.
The Cubs will only have 24 players on the roster Thursday night against the Rockies, as Addison Russell will not be in uniform, as announced in a press release by the Cubs.
Addison Russell denied allegations of abusing his wife after a social media post led to a domestic violence claim by a close friend of Melisa Russell. That allegation is being investigated by MLB. The Chicago Cubs also released a statement on Thursday.
There have been several rumors and reports that Russell’s infidelity has been well known by the team for at least a few weeks. However, the domestic violence claim is obviously a much more serious matter.
Again, at this point there aren’t many details available. The domestic violence allegation was made by a friend on a social media post, which has been deleted. No charges have been made and Melisa Russell has not made any allegations either.
As far as Russell and the Cubs, the shortstop has struggled so far in 2017, and has recently been demoted by manager Joe Maddon, getting relegated to a rotation at shortstop, sharing starting time with Javier Baez.
Russell is not in the lineup for Thursday’s game against the Colorado Rockies.
