Kyle Schwarber is cool with serving as the Cubs' primary DH. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

The Rundown: Cubs Wa(i)ve Goodbye to Morrow, Kimbrel Seeks Third Pitch, Schwarber Embraces DH Role

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterJuly 9, 2020

Brandon Morrow…we hardly knew ye.

I really want to say something poetic about the organization’s ex-closer, but my best memory of Morrow occurred on August 8, 2010 when he was a member of the Blue Jays. Back then, the right-hander was a 26-year-old starter oozing with upside and he one-hit the Rays with 17 strikeouts in an effort that nearly rivaled the 20K masterpiece by Kerry Wood against the Astros in 1998.

Though not nearly as electric as Kid K, the Jays starter looked to be on his way to pitching a no-hitter before giving up a single with two outs in the 9th.

Morrow needed 137 pitches to complete the game, and with an FIP of nearly 5.00 even after that performance, I sold high and traded him in my AL fantasy baseball league. The return was Tyler Chatwood, then a minor league pitcher in the Angels system. I also received the fourth overall minor league pick in our 2013 draft, which netted me A’s first rounder Addison Russell, only because Carlos Correa — who I really wanted — had been chosen one pick ahead of me.

That Russell, Chatwood, and Morrow would all end up playing for the Cubs probably seemed impossible at the time, and though each have had some truly outstanding moments with Chicago, only Chatwood still has a chance to prove that he was worth his acquisition. Morrow, who was initially dominant with the Cubs, just couldn’t stay healthy. Joe Maddon rode him hard in 2018, like he does with most relievers, and Morrow hasn’t pitched since earning a save against the Giants on July 15 of that summer.

The oft-injured reliever said he intends to pitch in 2021.

Cubs News & Notes

Odds & Sods

Bill Clinton is a Cubs fan? Who knew? Hillary is from Park Ridge, so maybe he had no choice. Still, the ex-POTUS offered a nice tip of the cap to Ernie Banks. I’d salute Oscar Charleston, and If you do not know who he is, start here and let the byways of the internet lead you on your travels.

Apropos of Nothing

Remember when we thought Theo Epstein fleeced the A’s when he acquired Russell, Dan Straily, and Billy McKinney for Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija? Too bad the young shortstop couldn’t stop his personal demons from getting the best of him.

Summer Camp News & Notes

The initial MLB intake report yielded 66 positive coronavirus results against 3,740 administered tests.

Despite being a bit overweight and a high risk candidate to suffer the worst effects of COVID-19 were he to catch it, umpire Joe West intends to return to work this summer (subscription to The Athletic required).

The A’s recently tried to re-sign catcher Bruce Maxwell, who was the first MLB player to take a knee during the National Anthem. Maxwell, who is living in Mexico and playing for the Monclova Acereros, declined the offer.

Angels starter Andrew Heaney said he is comfortable with the league’s role in testing players.

Dodgers hitters are having difficulties adjusting to the new center field backdrop at Chavez Ravine.

Buster Posey indicated that catchers are more at risk than other players because they are unable to properly distance themselves from hitters.

Boston shortstop Xander Bogaerts believes many writers are underestimating the Red Sox.

Extra Innings

It would be amazing if the Nashville group pulls off this gargantuan effort and is awarded a franchise.

Sliding Into Home

I get a tad angry when people assume the title of a song tells its entire story. The greatest examples are “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen and “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie, both of which are protest anthems rather than the nod to patriotism that many believe. Lately, I have been seeing the songs “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” by the Police and “Stay Clean” by Motörhead used to promote social distancing. If I may speak from the heart here: A thousand times no, please and thank you.

The Police song is a creepy ode to a teacher trying to resist his sexual urges for a student and the Motörhead single, which features arguably the filthiest bass ever, is about searching one’s soul for truth. Perhaps a better choice would be “Shelter in the Storm” by Bob Dylan, which at least speaks to kindness and humanity. Rant over.

One last thing…the album Blood on the Tracks by Dylan will get you through any difficult time, no matter how much you’re suffering.

They Said It

  • “I feel pretty good about yesterday. I was just trying to throw it over the plate. It was the first time I’ve had guys in the box taking swings off me in three months. To be able to get out there, throw the ball over the plate and get some pretty good feedback, it was a good day.” – Craig Kimbrel
  • “If this game hasn’t gotten me by now, no virus is going to get me. I’ve weathered a bunch of storms in my life. I’ll weather another one. I don’t believe in my heart that all these deaths have been from the coronavirus. Those statistics aren’t accurate, I don’t care who’s counting them. When [country music singer] Joe Diffie died, they said he died of the coronavirus. He had Stage 4 lung cancer. The coronavirus may have accelerated his death, but let’s be realistic.” – Joe West

Thursday Walk Up Song

Do it Again (Live) by Steely Dan – Lately I have been digging on the old Midnight Special videos. When I was a pre-teen, and my Aunt Shirley would babysit my siblings and me on Friday nights, this show and Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert became the foundations of my love for classic rock.

That guy playing bongos for Steely Dan in this video is renowned session guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter by the way, and his career arc is a fascinating read.

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterJuly 9, 2020
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