Its A Family Thing Talking Cubs Baseball

#229: Glove Gloves Pt 3

October 25, 2025·55 min·5 clips

Pete Crow-Armstrong tied for the MLB lead in defensive runs saved and could win the Platinum Glove.

This episode of the Cubs-focused podcast features co-hosts Paul and Logan discussing recent sports scandals and baseball news. They open by detailing a major NBA gambling investigation resulting in 34 arrests, including players like Terry Rozier and coach Chauncey Billups. The hosts cite an FBI probe into point-shaving and high-stakes poker games allegedly linked to organized crime families. They preview the World Series matchup between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers, noting Blake Snell's dominant 0.86 postseason ERA. The conversation critiques the Dodgers' use of contract deferments, citing Shohei Ohtani's $2 million salary with massive deferred payments and Bobby Bonilla's famous long-term payout structure. The hosts express frustration with the Los Angeles Angels' direction, highlighting their one-year managerial hire of Ron Washington despite a decade of poor performance. The analysis shifts to Cubs Gold Glove finalists Ian Happ and Pete Crow-Armstrong, citing Crow-Armstrong's 434 chances with only 2 errors and his 15 Defensive Runs Saved. They also review Silver Slugger finalists Nico Hoerner, Crow-Armstrong, and Kyle Tucker, noting Hoerner's .297 batting average and remarkably low 49 strikeouts in 599 at-bats. The hosts speculate on the Cubs' pitching needs for 2025, listing potential trade targets like Joe Ryan and free agents such as Dylan Cease or Michael King. A surprising claim is that the FBI confirmed money was delivered to Terry Rozier's home as part of the gambling case. An interesting insight is the hosts' belief that Wrigley Field's difficult wind and brick wall give Cubs outfielders a defensive advantage in Gold Glove voting. They also argue the Angels committed a "disservice" by not trading Shohei Ohtani when they knew they couldn't re-sign him. The tone is casual and conversational, featuring two fans debating and speculating on team strategies. This episode will appeal to Cubs enthusiasts interested in offseason roster construction and awards discussions. Listeners seeking a tightly edited, single-topic baseball show might find the scattered discussion of NBA scandals and broad MLB topics less engaging.

As heard by us

A loose Cubs discussion that sharpens around defense, Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and a late Ohtani aside.

Episode 229 starts with a gambling scandal and arrests, then eases into the Cubs talk that gives it shape. It feels strongest when it turns to defensive awards, Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and the numbers that keep pulling the conversation back to the field.

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Why you'd press play

If you want Cubs talk that starts with a jolt and settles into defense-season praise, press play.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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