...playing for the Chicago Cubs Mark McGwire Jersey , and other bullets" for TCMAs I write, it’s Saturday night, and, in my mind, , around the corner form the car sculpture)! We remember Julie Adams with an encore of “Creature from the Black Lagoon”! And actual baseball news is still back. Good times!And I was inspired by the music pages to create a ‘Duane Radio’ group on Facebook. I’ve been in the habit of filling idle time with chestnuts and nuggets for quite a while now, and some other people convinced me to let them in on the fun. You can join if you want...it’s a closed group. I just thought I’d let those responsible know what a Frankenstein monster they’ve created (yeah, that’s me in the link).Let’s sweep that all aside, Igor, and here’s today’s Cubs News and Notes. As always * means autoplay on, or annoying ads http://www.athleticsfanproshop.com/authentic-khris-davis-jersey , or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).Watch Cole Hamels react to a computer program predicting a last place finish for the Cubs while pointing towards an older rotation as a reason for regression.Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Algorithm? Collusion by any other name smells just as foul. “Teams say they like you but they’re not making offers,” said Brad Brach. Robert Kuenster (Forbes* {$}): Key deals By Theo Epstein turned Cubs into perennial pennant contenders. “Even after we won in 2016, we’ve never had any interference in doing whatever it takes to keep us a winning team,” Epstein said.Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): 5 takeaways from Cubs spring training Saturday, including Joe Maddon reinforcing his support for Addison Russell. “I hate being the last out,” Albert Almora Jr said.Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs players of all ages are embracing advanced technology and analytics: ‘They’re willing to dig in’. “He can do it all. We all trust his work. And regardless of his age or who he is, we know what he brings to the table,” said Kyle Hendricks about Tommy Hottovy.Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): ‘It’s an honor’: Veteran lefty Hamels is taking his new leadership role seriously. “...when you’re able to play the game as long as we have, that’s the role you get thrust into.”Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Brach looks like sweet addition for hungry Cubs bullpen. “Coming here knowing that you’re expecting to win from day one, it’s exciting and I’m looking forward to it,” Brach said.Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Daniel Descalso won’t go head-first into role as leader. “I’m not going to come in right away and stand up on the couch and be giving like a rah-rah Knute Rockne speech http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-tim-tebow-jersey ,” Descalso said with a laugh.Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): What Maddon thought about Russell’s press conference.“...hopefully there’s a tremendous growth moment for him.”Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Russell and the Cubs are under the microscope for all the wrong reasons. “The start of spring training usually is a time to spread the word of hope.”Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Almora’s time as everyday player ‘on the horizon’. “Maddon said the goal is to have Almora continue to show improvement against right-handed pitching in order to earn more days in the starting lineup.”Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): Almora has a plan to cope with Manny Machado questions in Cubs camp. “...I’m playing for the Chicago Cubs and that’s all I know.”Pat Eaton-Robb (AP via Chicago Tribune {$}): Minor league baseball team bans peanuts and Cracker Jack from stadium. “It’s just important that people know there is a safe space, and where that safe space is going to be.”Food for thought:Thanks for reading! #Cubsnews Rockies news and links for December 11, 2018"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Scaling the RocksPebble ReportRockpileRockies Game ThreadsRockies Fan ExperienceRockpileRockies looking at potential first base upgradesNew,314commentsRockies news and links for December 11, 2018ByHayden Kane@hwkaneDec 11, 2018,8:05am MSTShareTweetShareShareRockies looking at potential first base upgradesDJ LeMahieu is the best second baseman in Rockies history. So, why are they letting him walk away? | The Athletic ($)So it’s the time of year where the headline says one thing, a valid question, and yet the takeaway for many fans will be an entirely different thing. I assume I speak for at least some people when I say that, having made our peace with LeMahieu’s seemingly imminent departure Darryl Strawberry Jersey , we’re just here for the rumors.Nick Groke passes along a few things about the Rockies’ activities this offseason, at least according to general manager Jeff Bridich. There is an apparent moment of candor about LeMahieu’s likely departure, but then there are two nuggets about trades that weren’t. Bridich says the team looked into deals for Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Santana, both of whom have since been dealt to different teams. He also mentions free agent Marwin Gonzalez as a potential target.Let’s remember something about Bridich. Rare have been the cases where he said something to the media and then that’s what the team did. He keeps things pretty quiet, so while these grumblings are encouraging in terms of the Rockies addressing their needs on offense, we should also acknowledge that it might be another year of Ian Desmond, first baseman.Besides those comments from Bridich, this is a great piece about LeMahieu.Baseball’s Most Handsome Managers | Hardball TalkBud Black, who called David Eckstein a son of a bitch but in a nice way in the article above, checks in at number eight on this list. Craig Calcaterra refers to him as baseball’s “leading silver fox,” and rightfully so. This year’s class of handsome managers is stacked http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-tim-tebow-jersey , so being in the top 10 must truly be an honor. This is always a fun read this time of year.A Conversation with Adam Ottavino | Statcast PodcastUnfortunately Ottavino might not be back with the Rockies, but if you want to hear a pitcher talk thoughtfully about pitching at Coors Field and other topics, check out this podcast conversation with Mike Petriello. Fall League releases Top Prospects team | MLB.comThe Rockies organization has three prospects checking in on this list. This includes familiar names that we will surely continue to hear from. First baseman Tyler Nevin, outfielder Sam Hilliard and relief pitcher Justin Lawrence are all recognized for their showings in the Fall League. It’s easy to get excited about prospects, especially in the dead of winter, but it is especially encouraging to see these prospects on a loaded list with some big names.