Chicago Cubs: Fan’s Weekend means we get to pick the nicknames

Chicago Cubs: 2018 Fan’s Weekend Outfield nicknames

Kyle Schwarber (Bub) – Don’t think I haven’t noticed that Kyle has put on a little weight since spring training when he was lean and mean. My first report for the Crib was on how he had transformed himself. However, how could I throw stones since I also predicted 40 home runs for him and he is sitting at 24. Kyle needs six more to tie last year’s career-high and he’s well on his way to do that. I love his aggressive hitting style but he hasn’t earned, “Babe” just yet.

Ian Happ (Ivy) – Happ has made some of the most amazing catches this year while banging his body into the brick hiding under the Ivy. Some of that’s gotta be rubbing off on him, right?

Jason Heyward (Responder) – Time and time again, Heyward answers the call. His batting is off and he responds by getting hot.  His team needs a hit and he responds. The team needs a play in the outfield? You guessed it – he responds.

Albert Almora (Animal) – Albert has earned the Animal title from the amazing plays he has made this season in the outfield. There is no doubt that Almora gives his entire body to the game when he is on the field. He attacks every play with a primal ferocity that makes him elite.

Chicago Cubs: 2018 Fan’s Weekend catcher’s and pitcher’s nicknames

Willson Contreras (The Arm) – Contreras may jump around like the Beast, but his small compact frame packs a mighty arm. Ask any opposing baserunner looking to take a bag or a guy who was sleeping off first – they’ll attest to this nickname in a heartbeat.

Victor Caratini (Chameleon) – This guy has played catcher 23 times, first base 15 times, third base twice and who knows what’s next? Recalled what seems like a million times from Triple-A, we’re hoping he stays this time. Caratini is this young team’s Chameleon. – adaptable to any situation.

More from Chicago Cubs News

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• Cubs fans are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel
• Justin Steele has evolved into a frontline starter for the Cubs
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Jon Lester (Puncher) – This guy fights his way through innings. He is out there on the mound scrapping with batters and baserunners alike. I love it when he throws out those dopes at first base. Even better is when he delivers that knockout punch to a team’s hopes on an afternoon at Wrigley.

Kyle Hendricks (First) – It’s no secret that the first innings of games have been killing Hendricks all season. The good thing is, in the successive innings he usually wins! Lately he’s been using, “First” as his mantra getting through batters easily in the opening inning.

Yu Darvish (Promise) – Darvish’s promise for the future, meaning next year, is clearly unknown. The big right-hander  promises to be back better than ever. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are hopeful because they have five more years and $100 million sunk into this promise.

Cole Hamels (Mechanic) – Hamels is like an assassin on the mound. Through 39 innings, Hamels has just a 0.69 ERA with a 38-to-11 K/BB ratio and no home runs allowed. The acquisition of Hamels is easily one of the best complimentary moves the Cubs made this season. This guy knows hitters inside and out much the same as a mechanic knows what’s under the hood.

Jose Quintana (Desperado) – As Quintana stands with his squared shoulders facing batters, he reminds me of the gunslingers from the Lee Van Cleef and Clint Eastwood movies of old. He has had a tough time this season but  I know the gunslinger is ready to punish more batters before the show ends.

Chicago Cubs: 2018 Fan’s Weekend Pitchers nicknames

Mike Montgomery (Biz) – What I like about Mike’s pitching is that he goes to work like it’s not personal, it’s just business. He gets in a slump, he gets himself out. He starts nailing it, he kills it permanently. He used to be much more unpredictable but now it’s just another day at the office.

Brandon Morrow (Devastation) – The devastation might have been to his own body as Morrow has been out multiple times with injuries. Going in, Epstein knew his closer would need lots of rest. But when will he be back?  Part of me thinks this is an Epstein-Maddon plan to rest Morrow until the postseason and then Morrow appears dealing out domination to hitters. The team needs to get Morrow back to complete his pitching dominance or it will be Epstein’s devastation.

More from Chicago Cubs News

• Cubs: Adrian Sampson is forcing his way into the conversation
• Projecting the Chicago Cubs bullpen to open the 2023 season
• Cubs fans are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel
• Justin Steele has evolved into a frontline starter for the Cubs
• The future of first base is murky right now for the Cubs

Steve Cishek (Killer) – Now this may seem like too obvious a nickname or one that almost anyone could get but Cishek has been setting down batters like it’s going out of style with a 1.68 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 59 innings. He has been amazing this season and when the Cubs go to the postseason, it will be Cishek getting us through the tough innings.

Brandon Kintzler (Blue Baron) – Kintzler came to the Cubs from the Washington Nationals. His performance so far has been just… okay. Knowing what Kintzler did in Washington, it must be just a matter of time before Kintzler is killing it like the Red…uh, that is the “Blue Baron” on the mound.

Pedro Strop (Teaser) – Pedro loves to tease the strike zone when he pitches and batters have been falling for it left and right this season. You think that slider might hang out in the zone, but you swing and next thing you know, Willson Contreras catches it in the opposing batter’s box.

Carl Edwards Jr. (Cold Brew) – Yes, that’s what I want to drink when Edward’s pitches. Edwards up and down journey does not instill trust. When Edwards is on, he is awesome. He can be cold as ice up there on the mound and doing it one, two, three like he showcased this week.  Other times, it’s like a bubbling brew ready to explode with walks and flirtation with disaster.

Jesse Chavez (Shades) – He can wear whatever he wants the way he is throwing the ball. Period.

Justin Wilson (Jussey James) – Another cowboy reference from our bullpen due to the fact that Wilson slings the 94 MPH four-seam heater like a pistolero. Wilson is 4-3 with 60 strikeouts and only 30 walks.

 2018 Fan’s Weekend Manager and President nicknames

Joe Maddon (Papa Smurf) – Joe Maddon is leading, mentoring, coaching, and helping his team toward yet another playoff appearance.

“How much further to the postseason, Papa?”

“Not much further my little Smurfs!”

Theo Epstein (Thanos) – Theo has done it all to get world pitching domination. Now he snaps his fingers and players like Hamels, Kintzler and Murphy appear. He still has a small stable of sidelined hurlers like Darvish and Morrow who will come back sometime and make our pitching even better.

Who has overall better pitching than the Cubs? Thank you Theo “Thanos” Epstein; you are ruling the pitching universe.