I’ve been trying to get into a pattern lately. Every morning, I wake up to the wonderful app Mornings (highly recommended) and simultaneously get ready for the day while browsing over my Google Reader. I’ve subscribed to a number of my favorite Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers blogs. Each morning, time permitting, I’ll curate a list of interesting and notable links from the last 24 or so hours for your enjoyment. On to the first…
- Remember those Stand Up 2 Cancer auctions I told you to bid on? The fundraiser as a whole gathered $150,000 for SU2C, MLB.com reports. The Cubs raised $4,410, with the highest big going to the Press Box experience at $2,050. The Brewers raised about $5,577. The most expensive auction for the Brewers and the two teams combined was the Suite Package with Doug Melvin. The winning bid was $3,686, and the two teams raised almost $10,000 together.
- Brew Crew Ball profiles one of the “lesser Brewers,” Jeff Bianchi. The infielder was claimed off of waivers by the Brewers while with the Cubs (a la Casey McGehee) but did not impress in limited time in Milwaukee. If Baseblog does decide to sponsor a Brewer and a Cub instead of just one expensive Cub this season, Bianchi is cheap enough that he could be a candidate.
- Dave Sappelt, also a candidate for Baseblog sponsorship, had a big day at the plate in the Winter Leagues. Vine Line recaps.
- Another piece from Brew Crew Ball, this time on free agent pitcher Shaun Marcum. Marcum’s name has been tossed around as a candidate for the rebuilding Cubs rotation, but Kyle makes a good case for the Brewers signing him over, say, Ryan Dempster.
- Cubs blog Obstructed View is hosting a Hall of Fame Survey. This year’s ballot is laced with the cloud of steroids, including names like Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, and former Cub Sammy Sosa. I have not yet had a chance to fill out the survey yet, but I intend to do so soon. You should too.
- Vine Line has a video featuring new Cubs broadcaster Jim Deshaies. I’m going to miss the hell out of Bob Brenly. But Deshaies seems pretty cool. We’ll just have to wait and see.
- Retired super utility man Craig Counsell had the opportunity to be the hitting coach for the Boston Red Sox, but withdrew himself from consideration. “It just wasn’t the right time for me,” he told Adam McCalvy.
- Speaking of utility men … another great find from Michael Clair.
- Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey was on the Daily Show a few nights ago. I watched it live and it was pretty cool, here’s a video.
- MLB Trade Rumors has an in-depth look at the rules of the Rule 5 Draft, but unfortunately omits the minor league round which I am still confused on.
- Bullpen Brian asks a very intriguing question: “Will Dale Sveum see the Cubs on the right side of the rebuild?” It discusses manager tenure trends and is worth a read.
- Luke at Bleacher Nation has a nice write up on the prospects the Cubs lost in yesterday’s Rule 5 Draft. The Brewers only lost second baseman Eric Farris.
- Right now, new Cubs reliever Kyuji Fujikawa is being introduced at Wrigley Field. Here’s the live stream.
