Marquee Sports Network
Alex Cohen is a play-by-play announcer, and Lance Brozdowski is a player development analyst -- Chicago Cubs insiders who see the game from completely different angles and aren't afraid to have a conversation about it. So, they do, bringing their press-pass access and insight to Marquee Sports Network's brand-new Cubs podcast. Twice per week. All season long.
Andy Martínez and Chris Emma discuss the recent call-ups of Miguel Amaya, Matt Mervis and Christopher Morel while previewing the upcoming road trip. Lance Brozdowski also interviews Cubs No. 6 Owen Caissie in Tennessee to do discuss hitting and his WBC experience.
On this edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast, Andy Martínez and Tim Stebbins react to reports that the Cubs are calling up Matt Mervis from Triple-A Iowa. The pair assess what he can bring up to the Cubs and what the news means for the roster. Then, Dexter Fowler stops by the podcast to recap the first month-plus of the Cubs’ season and what he’s seen out of the team. Plus, Fowler shares how Cody Bellinger has been able to perform so strongly. The group looks ahead to the Cubs' upcoming homestand, including former Cub Willson Contreras' return to Wrigley Field. Fowler shares some of his experiences of returning to the Friendly Confines with St. Louis.
Former Cub and World Series winner Miguel Montero stopped by the Cubs Weekly Podcast during Cubs Convention earlier this year to talk with host Tony Andracki about his time with the Cubs, 2016 and what it was like during their championship run. Montero discuss what it was like playing in Game 7 of that Fall Classic, catching Jake Arrieta during his legendary run and more about what he’s up to now — working in the Arizona front office.
The Cubs opened their first West Coast trip of the year with a pair of series wins over the Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland A’s, going 5-1 Chris Emma, Tim Stebbins and Andy Martínez recap the Cubs’ trip out West. The panel looks at the success of Marcus Stroman, the Cubs pitching staff and look at what a successful season for Cody Bellinger looks like and if expectations for him have changed. Later on in the episode, the trio answer an interesting question: who you would rather buy stock over the next five years in the Dodgers or Cubs? Emma, Stebbins and Martinez then preview the upcoming homestand for the Cubs where they host the Dodgers and Padres in a 7-game homestand.
The weather was gorgeous, Wrigley Field debuted brand new lights, the Cubs pulled off a couple of huge wins and Ian Happ will remain in Chicago for the next four seasons. It was certainly an action-packed week at the "Friendly Confines" and our panel of Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Tim Stebbins breaks it all down. How did Ian Happ's extension come together and what does it mean for the organization long-term? What stood out from the Cubs' victories over the Mariners on Monday and Tuesday? What are the main takeaways from the Cubs' first 11 games? Our crew answers this and more on the latest Cubs Weekly Podcast.
Lance Brozdowski joins the Cubs Weekly Podcast to discuss his latest version of the organization's top prospect list, which has now expanded to 30 players. This updated list also features a change atop the rankings compared to past iterations. Brozdowski chats with Tony Andracki and Andy Martínez about his main takeaways as he put together the Top 30 list, what part of the rankings was most difficult and any surprises that came up. Find out why Brennen Davis, D.J. Herz and Caleb Kilian were among the biggest fallers in the new rankings while young pitchers Ben Brown and Daniel Palencia soared up the list. Plus, who are some prospects who could enjoy breakout 2023 campaigns and which minor leaguers will make the biggest impact at Wrigley Filed this season?
The 2023 MLB season is here and the Cubs have a completely retooled roster after a busy offseason. Before the Cubs get set to host the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field to open the campaign, we reflected on the entirety of Spring Training and looked ahead to the year in front of us. Andy Martínez, Tony Andracki and Taylor McGregor provide their thoughts on the upcoming Cubs season, ranging from bold predictions to projections for team MVP, Cy Young winner and more. Martínez and Andracki also dissect all of the Cubs Opening Day roster news - which featured a pair of surprises - as well as Nico Hoerner's reported extension.
MLB.com Cubs beat writer Jordan Bastian joins Andy Martínez on the Cubs Weekly Podcast to preview the 2023 season. From top Spring Training storylines to the new MLB rules to predictions for the Cubs season, Bastian provides his perspective. Later in the episode, Martínez chats with Cubs pitcher Javier Assad in a special, Spanish-only interview. The two talk about Assad's experience playing for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, his breakout performance at the tournament and with the Cubs last season and how the WBC prepared him for 2023.
Former Cub and fan favorite Darwin Barney stops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat with Andy Martínez. The 2012 Gold Glove winner reflects on his 5 years in Chicago, his friendship with Anthony Rizzo, his favorite teammates and what MLB's top fielding award meant to him and his career. Other stories include Barney explaining the power of Derrek Lee's leadership and an interaction with NIck Madrigal at Oregon State, their alma mater.
In this special edition of the Cubs Weekly Podcast, Karli Bell sat down with women leaders within Marquee Sports Network to discuss their movement through the sports industry, being a women in sports media and what both women and men can do to support women in male-dominated industries.
Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki check in from Sloan Park in Arizona to deliver the latest news from Cubs camp. Hall of Famer Billy Williams addressed the team, the Cubs made their first spring cuts and a bunch of players left for the World Baseball Classic. Martínez and Andracki also break down the position battles heading into Opening Day, including the fifth starter battle, third base and the bullpen. Plus, how do the Cubs fill in right field after Seiya Suzuki's injury? All that and more on the latest Cubs Weekly Podcast.
A pair of former Cubs hurlers stop by the podcast this week as Ted Lilly and Jon Lieber sit down with Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki in interviews from Cubs Convention in January. First up is Lilly, who reminisces on his time with the Cubs, namely around the 2007-08 teams that made the playoffs. Plus, he details his new role in the Cubs front office. Then Lieber chats with Andracki about his favorite Cubs memories, how he's spent his time in retirement and the best game he's ever pitched.
Andy Martínez and Tony Andracki weigh in from sunny Arizona on the latest Cubs Spring Training news. From position battles to defensive pairings to lineups, Martínez and Andracki explain what storylines they'll be watching as the Cubs face off in some exhibition games. Plus, an update on Kyle Hendricks (who threw his first bullpen in more than seven months), examining Christopher Morel's fit on the 2023 Opening Day roster and how Cody Bellinger's adjustments have come to fruition with the Cubs. Martínez also provides three under-the-radar players that fans should keep an eye on who could wind up contributing for the Cubs at some point this season.
Cubs pitcher Adbert Alzolay joins Andy Martínez on the Cubs Weekly Podcast to discuss his offseason and how he visited and saw his family for the first time in five years. Then, the pair discuss his transition to the bullpen, why he thinks it will suit him and who he’s been leaning on as he makes that transition. Plus, Alzolay gives the secrets on his slick hairstyle. Also on the podcast, Martínez is joined by Marquee Sports Network player development analyst Lance Brozdowski and the pair break down the Cubs’ battle for the fifth rotation spot, Jameson Taillon’s new slider and some top prospects to keep an eye on this spring.
Cliff Floyd joins Andy Martinez from Arizona to discuss the top storylines during the first couple days of Cubs camp. The duo analyze Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins' first media session and early impressions of camp. Plus, what are the benefits of getting to camp early and could it help the Cubs that so many players have been in Arizona for a while already? In the second half of the podcast, Martinez and Tony Andracki chat with Eugene McIntosh, the co-founder of The Bigs. McIntosh details his career covering the Cubs, including how he came up with the "El Mago" nickname for Javy Báez.
On an action-packed Cubs Weekly Podcast full of interviews, we welcome in Cubs public address announcer Jeremiah Paprocki and former reliever Carlos Mármol. Paprocki is the first African-American PA announcer in Cubs history and also was the youngest to hold the position when he was hired for the 2021 season. He joins Tony Andracki to discuss his career as the voice of Wrigley Field, what he's learned and his favorite part of the job. Mármol joins Andy Martínez to discuss his time with the Cubs. He describes what it was like converting from starter to reliever, being “effectively wild” and where he watched the Cubs win the 2016 World Series.
Former Cubs infielder Mike Fontenot stops by the Cubs Weekly Podcast for a discussion on his career in Chicago, favorite Lou Piniella stories, what he's been up to since he retired and more. Fontenot played with the Cubs from 2005-10, including the back-to-back playoff seasons in 2007-08. He reflects on his favorite moments with the Cubs, playoff baseball at Wrigley Field and the unique way he arrived in Chicago (as part of the Sammy Sosa trade)
Former relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth joins the Cubs Weekly Podcast to chat with Tony Andracki and Andy Martinez about his life since retirement as a power lifter. Other topics include pitching at Wrigley Field in the playoffs, Farnsworth's unique perspective on the Steve Bartman moment, his famous brawl with Paul Wilson, playing for Dusty Baker and how the game has changed since he was a player.
The 2023 Cubs Convention is in the books and there was a lot to take away from the first event in three years. Andy Martinez and Tony Andracki explain what we learned about the Cubs over the weekend and detail their favorite parts about the Convention. We also roll out a series of snippets of future Cubs Weekly Podcast guest interviews from the Convention, including Darwin Barney, Miguel Montero and Ted Lilly. Plus, how does reported new addition Trey Mancini fit on this roster? What will Nick Madrigal's role be in 2023? When will Kyle Hendricks return to the mound?
Jed Hoyer has been busy this winter, adding to the Cubs roster with veteran talent. Andy Martinez and Tony Andracki dissect the current state of the lineup, starting rotation and bullpen including providing their projections of how each unit lines up in early January. The podcast panel also analyzes the overall improvement of the team since the end of the 2022 regular season and discusses the potential of the Cubs making the playoffs in 2023. Plus, are there more moves coming for the Cubs? And with Cubs Convention on the horizon, what are we most looking forward to after a three-year hiatus of the winter event?