craig counsell

Dan Bernstein and Leila Rahimi were joined by Meghan Montemurro of the Tribune to discuss Cubs manager Craig Counsell's willingness to publicly change his opinion, shortstop Dansby Swanson's playing time, outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger getting set for his spring training debut and more.

Mike Mulligan and David Haugh were joined by Cubs manager Craig Counsell to discuss what he has learned from his club early in spring training, his philosophy on lineup construction, his expectations and more.

Mike Mulligan and David Haugh were joined by Marquee Sports Network reporter Tony Andracki to share his takeaways from Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger's press conference Wednesday in which he addressed his return to the club on a three-year, $80-million deal.

Dan Bernstein and Laurence Holmes were joined by Maddie Lee of the Sun-Times to discuss Cubs slugger Christopher Morel getting reps at third base this spring, the stalemate in negotiations between star center fielder Cody Bellinger and the club in free agency, manager Craig Counsell's "results don't matter" approach to spring training and more.

This week, we're gearing up for the upcoming baseball season with special guest, Cody Delmendo from CHGO Cubs! Join us as we dive into the anticipation surrounding spring training and get an insider's perspective on what to expect from the Chicago Cubs this season. Cody shares his background, expertise and insights, providing listeners with a comprehensive preview of the team's new coach and key prospects to watch this season! Later, Cody helps us breakdown all the lingering questions including...how will this team perform with or without Cody Bellinger on the roster?

Dan Bernstein and Laurence Holmes listened and reacted to Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts' recent comments on the organization's future and whether star outfielder Cody Bellinger will re-sign with the club. The guys also discussed how Christopher Morel may be the team's new third baseman.

Dan Bernstein and Leila Rahimi were joined by Meghan Montemurro of the Tribune to discuss the Cubs' current roster during the first week of spring training, manager Craig Counsell getting acclimated to his new team, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer's comment that young players are the "curruency of baseball" and more.

Pitchers and catchers reporter to Cubs camp on Wednesday with looming questions about the roster. How competitive will the club be when the season opens on April 1? Dan Bernstein and Laurence Holmes pondered the question.

Dan Bernstein, Laurence Holmes and Leila listened and reacted to the Cubs spring training press conference with president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, general manager Carter Hawkins and new manager Craig Counsell. Among the topics discussed were the club's interest in free agents, including center fielder Cody Bellinger. Bellinger won the National League Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023 after struggling in recent seasons with the Dodgers.

Bruce Levine and David Haugh were joined by Marquee Sports Network analyst Joe Girardi to discuss the Cubs' moves this offseason, the team's chances of re-signing outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger, expectations for new manager Craig Counsell and more.

It was a “pretty fun day” for Stephen Vogt, named manager for the Guards, less so for David Ross in the surprise loss of his CHI gig, and downright polarizing in regards to Craig Counsell’s historic contract prompting another manager to muse about unionization. The Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards lead Mauricio Dubón for multiple Honduran firsts, Ha Seong Kim to a first for Asian-born MLB players, and a Pottymouth first as she finally remembered to vote for Platinum Glove. We ponder the steady increase in Tommy John surgeries (more diagnoses or more stress on arms?) and consider staying away from where GMs gather to avoid stomach bugs. Oakland’s mayor incorporates swag and economic greed in her appeal to owners to vote against an A’s move to Vegas. Nelson Cruz concludes his LIDOM farewell tour in time for Citifield to welcome Los Tigres del Licey and Las Águilas Cibaeñas for a three game series to packed houses. Rush’s Geddy Lee, with a surprising amount of baseball cred, prepares to auction 300 items from his stunning collection of baseball memorabilia. Please support USA Baseball’s Anna Kimbrel in her Baseball at Heart effort to fund more girls baseball clinics in Uganda. 

We say, “more Rockers in baseball,” “multiple Funnars,” and “he chews too much tobacco to be my boyfriend.”  Fight the man, send your game balls to Meredith, get boosted, and find us on Twitter @ncibpodcast, on Facebook @nocryinginbball, Instagram @nocryinginbball and on the Interweb at nocryinginbball.com. Please take a moment to subscribe to the show, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to NCiB. Become a supporter at Patreon to help us keep doing what we do. Say goodnight, Pottymouth.

On today's episode, we are delighted to welcome back to the show, Eugene McIntosh, Co-founder of The Bigs Media and a distinguished member of the Baseball Writers Association of America! Eugene delves into a discussion surrounding the new Northside manager and the profound impact of Craig Counsell on the Cubs organization. We explore the prospects of this change opening the championship window, contemplate the possibility of Ohtani donning Cubbie Blue this season, and ponder the potential addition of Juan Soto as the new right fielder. Later, Eugene fills us in on his NL MVP vote! Stick around til the end for Evan's waiver wire pickups to help your fantasy football team this week!

SEASON 2 EPISODE 70: COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN

A-Block (1:44) ELECTION SCOREBOARD: Democrats and democracy kick MAGA’s ass: another Trump off-year disaster as Republicans not only don't flip the Virginia Senate, they've lost the Virginia House! Deep discounts on "PRESIDENT YOUNGKIN 2024" Red Vests! In Ohio, it's a landslide as Issue 1 wins by 57-43 and puts Abortion Rights INTO the Ohio Constitution. And Kentucky Democratic Governor Andy Beshear goes from winning by 4000 votes four years ago, to winning by five points last night. Plus there are expansions of Democratic control in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It's another state-level disaster for Trump's GOP and what's the response of the CNN political director who whored himself out to get Trump live from that disastrous Kaitlan Collins Town Hall? David Chalian says "It's not the Democratic BRAND that's in trouble here, it's Joe Biden that's in trouble here." Actually that's not true either - and CNN should fire this idiot Chalian ASAP because it's CNN that's in trouble here.

(9:43) SPECIAL COMMENT: Trump managed to combine stochastic terrorism and his Dementia J. Trump/Elmer J. Fudd split personality in one post, insisting someone “must stop” people who don’t realize he’s worth billions more even than he claims. America’s leading Parking Lot Legal Scholar Alina Habba insists they’ll be filing for a mistrial because they didn’t let Trump talk enough in court (oh, they let him talk enough in court). The good news is, Judge Chutkan shut them down on the latest delaying tactic. They wanted three more months for pre-trial motions; she told them she’ll give them two weeks and they’ll like it. And as more details emerge of Trump’s plan for a military dictatorship, Jeff Clark, the mediocre little man who might be the Attorney General who oversees the transition of the DOJ into the Ministry of Vengeance will finally have to face having his law license suspended.

While most reporting stays focused on Sunday’s New York Times Biden poll crater, there’s a new CNN poll that’s a little better. And everybody ignores the work of a private, right-leaning pollster called Cygnal with eye-opening good news for President Biden. Not only has his net approval/disapproval improved a whopping five points in ONE MONTH but the issue seen as sinking Biden – inflation – is beginning to shrink its dominance. A year ago 42% said inflation was the key topic. Two months ago it was still 37%. Now it’s down to 31%. The less it is decisive, the more it points to Biden’s reelection.

Still, Politico reports that after three months the Biden campaign has the results of its almost exclusively positive, issue-focused, non-Trump advertising: It’s failed. Completely. The campaign is being urged to re-focus on Trump but remains reluctant, still convinced that Trump will be torn down enough by his Republican challengers (if it doesn’t happen at tonight’s debate, it won’t). And more over, the question has to be raised: if you ARE selling Joe Biden’s Greatest Accomplishments, isn’t the first thing on that list, the fact that HE beat Trump? Wasn’t the most vivid, youthful, meaningful moment of his presidency his Defense-Of-Democracy speech in Philadelphia last year? Isn’t the greatest image of Biden, “Dark Brandon?”

Joe? You beat him. You’re the only one who has. We need you to do it again. And we need you to TELL US THAT. Not only WHY he and the evil he personifies and spreads MUST be defeated, but, bluntly, that you did it before and you will do it again: that you are the man to… beat the ever-loving shit out of him.

B-BLOCK (30:49) IN SPORTS: Now begins the blowback. Wisconsin says goodbye and good riddance to no-longer-beloved-son Craig Counsell. The President of Mexico knows who the next manager of the Padres should be. And that drying up of the nourishing milk of ever-increasing TV fees for baseball? It just spread to basketball and hockey, where right now 26 teams are making $0 for telecasts during the 2024-25 season. (35:57) THE WORST PERSONS IN THE WORLD: The Washington Post followed up on its Trump Dictatorship piece with more good analysis and a Bothsidesist headline that would’ve looked stupid even above a travel story. There’s yet ANOTHER scandal for new 5th String Speaker Mike Johnson. And yesterday he was excoriating Rep. Tlaib for hate and prejudice. A month ago he was promising to turn Gaza into a parking lot. It isn’t which side you’re on – it’s that violence and destruction are fine as long as you’re MAGA.

C-BLOCK (41:24) THINGS I PROMISED NOT TO TELL: The New York City Marathon ended Sunday night. I swear, there are people walking the streets of my Fun City, still wearing their gold medals indicating they ran the damn thing. It flashes me back to the days when the Marathon had to beg for me to do a preview for CNN, and to the nightmares I still have of anchoring the Los Angeles Marathon… on RADIO.

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In the second and final hour of tonight’s show, Matt Pauley is joined by KMOX reporter and Fantrax fantasy writer Sean Malone to give you this week’s fantasy football tips. Matt is also joined by Milwaukee Brewers reporter Chuck Freimund to discuss the news of Craig Counsell being hired by the Chicago Cubs.

Sports Open Line with Matt Pauley airs weeknights 6-8PM CT on KMOX barring any Cardinals, Billikens, or NFL games. Join the show by calling or texting (314) 436-7900 or by tweeting to Matt @MattPauleyOnAir. Listen live at 1120AM, 98.7FM, or on the free Audacy app.

Doggie talked about the revolving door of managers as  Craig Counsell lands in Chicago, Carlos Mendoza ends up in New York with the Mets and  Stephen Vogt grabs the Cleveland Guardians.  Chris had major issues with the Mets & Cubs.