February 15, 2018 The Athletic, Don't forget the art beat: Cubs manager Joe Maddon's shtick is getting contemporary https://theathletic.com/241566/2018/02/14/dont-forget-the-art-beat-cubs-manager-joe-maddons- shtick-is-getting-contemporary/ The Athletic, How the Yu Darvish deal positions Cubs for Bryce Harper/Manny Machado sweepstakes https://theathletic.com/241907/2018/02/15/how-yu-darvish-deal-positions-cubs-for-bryce-harper- manny-machado-sweepstakes/ The Athletic, While other contenders try to finalize rosters, Cubs happy to focus on task at hand https://theathletic.com/241307/2018/02/14/while-other-contenders-try-to-finalize-rosters-cubs- happy-to-focus-on-task-at-hand/ The Athletic, Chris Gimenez gives the full scouting report on Yu Darvish: 'The sky's the limit' https://theathletic.com/241554/2018/02/14/chris-gimenez-gives-the-full-scouting-report-on-yu- darvish-the-skys-the-limit/ Cubs.com, Montgomery accepting of role in Cubs' bullpen https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/cubs-mike-montgomery-on-role-in-bullpen/c-266445978 Cubs.com, Maddon using art to inspire Cubs this spring https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/cubs-joe-maddon-using-art-to-inspire-club/c-266441466 Cubs.com, Rizzo's thoughts with alma mater after shooting https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/anthony-rizzo-tweets-condolences-to-alma-mater/c-266472200 Cubs.com, Gimenez excited to work with Darvish again https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/chris-gimenez-on-cubs-signing-yu-darvish/c-266454186 NBC Sports Chicago, Cubs thrilled with big free-agent splash: 'We really haven't seen the best Yu Darvish yet' http://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/cubs-thrilled-big-free-agent-splash-we-really-havent- seen-best-yu-darvish-yet Chicago Tribune, As far as backup catchers go, Joe Maddon gives 'edge' to David Ross over Chris Gimenez http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-david-ross-chris-gimenez- 20180215-story.html Chicago Tribune, Joe Maddon melds baseball, art in surrealistic day at Cubs camp http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-sullivan-cubs-joe-maddon-art- 20180214-story.html Chicago Tribune, Cubs counting on closer Brandon Morrow and fifth starter Tyler Chatwood http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-brandon-morrow-tyler- chatwood-20180214-story.html Chicago Tribune, Chris Gimenez likes Yu Darvish's mix of intensity and fun http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-yu-darvish-chris-gimenez- 20180214-story.html Chicago Tribune, Is Joe Maddon changing his hairstyle? http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-joe-maddon-dyeing-hair-sullivan- 20180214-story.html Chicago Sun-Times, Team (role) player: Cubs’ Mike Montgomery wants to start, but wants to win more https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/team-role-player-cubs-mike-montgomery-wants-to-start-but- wants-to-win-more/ Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs counting on new closer Brandon Morrow to dance amid the pressure https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/chicago-cubs-brandon-morrow-joe-maddon-wade-davis/ Chicago Sun-Times, Agent Scott Boras on thaw in market as camps open: ‘Free agency has begun’ https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/agent-scott-boras-on-thaw-in-market-as-camps-open-free- agency-has-begun/ Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs surprise four young hospital patients with a free trip to spring training https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-surprise-4-young-patients-with-all-expenses-paid-spring- training-trip/ Chicago Sun-Times, New Cub Chris Gimenez on pal Yu Darvish: ‘I like [Jon] Lester better’ https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/new-cub-chris-gimenez-on-pal-yu-darvish-i-like-jon-lester- better/ Daily Herald, Four teen patients going on surprise Cubs spring training trip http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180214/four-teen-patients-going-on-surprise-cubs-spring- training-trip -- The Athletic Don't forget the art beat: Cubs manager Joe Maddon's shtick is getting contemporary By Sahadev Sharma MESA, Ariz. – When Joe Maddon spoke to reporters prior to a charity event in January, he alluded to what he believed his theme would be for the 2018 season. It didn’t appear to be a fully formed concept just yet, but he wanted his players to appreciate the little things in life. He pointed to the stained-glass window he was standing below to illustrated how we must soak in the amazing architecture surrounding us in the city of Chicago. On Tuesday, Maddon said this year’s theme would be a little more elaborate and that it would be revealed week by week. With pitchers and catchers having their first official day of workouts Wednesday, Maddon unveiled the first two of what will eventually be a series of six paintings that represent numerous themes and ideas of Maddon's Cubs tenure. “For years, I wanted to utilize the thought of putting the art back into the game,” Maddon said. “That’s the overarching theme.” One painting depicted Michelangelo’s David standing on the pitcher’s mound at Wrigley Field with several of the messages he wants to instill in his staff. “Look at the David,” Maddon said. “He looks like a pitcher standing on the mound. David is the dude who went after Goliath. The actual statue of David is supposed to be prior to the event where he’s standing there, kind of tense. And he looks like he’s on a mound. “If you look at it, he’s holding that slingshot, there’s a rock. Often times you call a baseball a rock. You talk about dictating, you talk about being proactive and you see 'Dominate 1-1.' Look what happens when the count switches from 1-1 to 1-2 or 2-1 from a pitcher’s perspective.” Maddon shared last summer that the Cubs weren’t as concerned about a first-pitch strike as they were about getting strikes in two of the first three pitches. Last season, a batter delivered an .835 OPS after getting ahead 2-1. After a 1-2 count, that OPS fell all the way down to .506. Maddon also had notes about pitchers' fielding practice, controlling the running game, keeping the double play in order and controlling and commanding on 3-2. The other painting was a picture of Salvador Dali in a catcher’s mask. “How many times have you heard the catcher’s gear called the 'tools of ignorance?'” Maddon said. “For me there’s no way. It’s the tools of intelligence.” Maddon said this idea started to form when he walked into a Milano Exchange in Tampa Bay and saw a recreation of the Mona Lisa by an artist named Jason Skeldon. Maddon, who likes to say “They're not all oil paintings” after sloppy wins, commissioned Skeldon to create the portrait series. The next two paintings will be unveiled to the team when the full squad reports on Feb. 19, and the last two sometime during spring training. There will be an altered version of the Mona Lisa, something involving Albert Einstein and art inspired by Andy Warhol and Banksy. “Everything was just popping together,” Maddon said when he saw Skeldon’s work. “So I looked at that and I thought about a bunch of different things. Then I went for the whole thing. Which means I wanted to include more than one artist and include this year’s message on art.” Maddon said it was a three-pronged approach: create a theme for spring training, create artwork to be sold for charity and help promote art among students throughout the city of Chicago and beyond. As far as the message he’s trying to convey to his players and to fans, he wants to make sure people appreciate the human mind and form in a world where data is becoming more and more prevalent. “I think we’re going way too far, we’re losing humanity in a sense,” Maddon said. “I’m all about data, I’m all about numbers and information. But let’s not forget the human being, let’s not forget the heartbeat. So how do you balance data versus art? Art to me equals the human experience, the human being.” But Maddon didn’t end there. He also believes that the players need to remember that what they’re doing on the field is a form art in itself and to take pride in that as well. “I wanted our guys to know they’re artists,” he said. “If you really watch video of a well-played game, whether it’s baseball, basketball, football, you see artistry in the movement of athletes. So I want them to think of themselves as artists also.” If they can recreate the masterpiece they delivered in 2016, it's safe to say that will be a work art that will never go unappreciated. -- The Athletic How the Yu Darvish deal positions Cubs for Bryce Harper/Manny Machado sweepstakes By Patrick Mooney MESA, Ariz. — Outside of family, Clayton Kershaw was the first person Yu Darvish told about his decision to sign with the Cubs. Darvish and Kershaw worked out together in the Dallas area, but that bromance won’t be the one we’ll be talking about this season. It doesn’t really matter whether or not Kershaw opts out of the final two years and $65 million of his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and joins next winter’s superb class of free agents. It will be all about trying to interpret Bryce Harper’s Instagram and Twitter posts as the Washington Nationals superstar highlights his friendship with Kris Bryant.