Chicago Cubs: Rumors still churning, Mr. Cub’s Birthday

 The rumor mill for the Chicago Cubs keeps on churning. Whether or not any of it comes true? That’s part of the fun of the offseason. And yesterday was Mr. Cub’s 88th birthday. We look back at Ernie Banks and the lessons he can still offer us as people.

We’re just a few weeks out from Spring Training, and the rumors for the Chicago Cubs keep on rolling. They’re ones you’ve heard for the last year or so. But they don’t ever seem to go away. So we took a look at some of the talks around those two rumors, and if there is anything to them. I think fans might be holding on to the hope of each of these happening. But that’s why they’re called rumors.

Yesterday would have been the 88th birthday of Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks. While Banks never got a chance to play in a World Series, he still played the game full of emotion. He kept that with him all the time, and it translated into his interactions with the fans, as well as his famous “Let’s play two!” Baseball has changed. Those that play the game have changed. But looking back at how Banks played and lived, we can all take something from that. It’s why his mantle of “Mr. Cub” will never change.

On the surface, it looked like Jon Lester‘s 2018 was another strong season in the books. But when you start to delve into the numbers, you begin to realize this may have been a season of grit and not of talent. Lester is known to pitch well when he doesn’t have his best. But it was evident that it happened more times last year than in the past. By no means does this mean Lester is at “his end.” It just means that he’ll have to find a way to adapt to continue his successful run in Chicago.

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These and other stories you might have missed:

‘SF in on Heyward? Cubs still after Harper?’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Banks and the raw emotion of the Wrigley faithful’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Lester must adapt to continue success’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Dakota Mekkes stands above’ – Cubs Den

‘Could baseball’s FA slog help the Cubs keep Bryant?’ – Chicago Tribune

Be sure to check back later today for more Cubs news and analysis! And follow us on our Twitter @CubbiesCrib, like our Facebook page and follow us on G+!