Rollie Fingers. Goose Gossage. Bruce Sutter. All three of these Hall of Fame closers are generally considered to be the pioneers of their position. They each recorded 300 saves, began their rise in the mid-1970s, and today, symbolize the gold standard of saving games. They also accomplished feats, though, that […]
MLB
fERA: A New Way To Evaluate Closers
In 1959, the now-infamous Chicago Sun-Times sportswriter Jerome Holtzman examined the 18-1 record of Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Roy Face, and declared, emphatically, that it was misleading (Posnanski “Save Rule Evolves From Stat to Game-Changer”). Holtzman’s passion for the issue did not stop there, however. In time, he would create […]
Ryan Dempster Returns to Talk Cubs Baseball, MLB Career, and More!
Ryan Dempster, two-time MLB All-Star pitcher, current MLB Network analyst, and Special Assistant to Chicago Cubs President Theo Epstein, returns to the show! We discuss the Cubs’ hot stretch following the All-Star Break, plus trade possibilities as the July 31st deadline nears. We also take a look at Joe Maddon’s […]
Ryan Dempster Returns on Special MLB First Half Podcast
Podcast Schedule Cubs First Half Recap (1:52) White Sox First Half Recap (7:25) MLB All-Star Game Snubs (12:25) Ryan Dempster Interview (14:07) https://media.blubrry.com/stc/sportstalkchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Ryan-Dempster-Podcast-2.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Underwhelming White Sox Not Living Up to Expectations
In lieu of the 2018 Major League Baseball season, times were seemingly optimistic for the Chicago White Sox faithful. Despite the PECOTA projections system estimating a measly seventy-two win season, positivity became a steadfast mantra, as fans and media members alike anxiously awaited season’s beginning. Although the team was not […]
Opening Day Special Featuring Roger Clemens Interview
Podcast Schedule Cubs Baseball Preview (1:32) White Sox Baseball Preview (15:06) Roger Clemens Interview (27:49) https://media.blubrry.com/stc/sportstalkchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Roger-Clemens-Interview.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download
What Does Yu Darvish Bring to the Table?
During the World Series last year, one in which the Chicago Cubs were unable to participate in, the Los Angeles Dodgers were vying for their first championship in over twenty-five years. Despite the team’s towering payroll, the Dodgers possessed all of the tools necessary to complete their never-ending quest. When […]
Cubs Free Agency Targets
Following the conclusion of the 2017 regular season, a time in which hopes for a World Series repeat became a significant storyline, the Chicago Cubs already realized their fate for the season ahead. Although focused on yet another magical playoff run, others expressed interest in the influx of players departing […]
Jake Arrieta’s Quiet Resurgence
At the end of June, as the Cubs limped into the All-Star Break with a record failing to eclipse the .500 mark, Jake Arrieta was at a crossroads in his career. His historic 2015 season had become a mere afterthought, and his struggle to replicate those numbers only caused more […]
Speaking of Players Weekend, An Interesting Note on Nicknames
The idea is nothing short of genius. Instead of sporting traditional uniforms, Major League Baseball players will boast stylistic, “youth league” garments that will feature iconic nicknames and vibrant color schemes as a part of Player’s Weekend. To complement the ensemble, players will flaunt a patch with a space to […]