March 19, 2017

 CSNChicago.com, Will Be In The Conversation For 2017 Cubs http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/ian-happ-will-be-conversation-2017-cubs

 CSNChicago.com, How Could Come Back To Cubs And Strengthen 2018 Rotation: ‘Never Say Never’ http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/how-john-lackey-could-come-back-cubs-and-strengthen-2018- rotation-never-say-never

 CSNChicago.com, Top Cubs Prospect Eloy Jimenez Undergoes Shoulder Exam http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/top-cubs-prospect-eloy-jimenez-undergoes-shoulder-exam

, Veteran John Lackey leaning toward pitching in 2018 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-john-lackey-future-cubs-spt-0319-20170318- story.html

 Chicago Tribune, Saturday's split-squad recap: Cubs 6, Japan 4; Brewers 13, Cubs 7 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-spring-recap-spt-0319-20170318-story.html

 Chicago Tribune, Cubs' Ian Happ could hop to majors in 2017 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-ian-happ-majors-20170318-story.html

 Chicago Tribune, Cubs' to Team Japan: Enjoy a Dodger dog http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-joe-maddon-japan-dodger-dog-20170318- story.html

 Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs optimistic Eloy Jimenez’ shoulder injury not serious http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-optimistic-eloy-jimenez-shoulder-injury-not-serious/

 Chicago Sun-Times, John Lackey to return to Cubs in 2018? ‘Never say never’ http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/john-lackey-to-return-to-cubs-in-2018-never-say-never/

 Chicago Sun-Times, Split-squad split for Cubs, who beat Team Japan, fall to Brewers http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/split-squad-split-for-cubs-who-beat-team-japan-fall-to-brewers/

 Daily Herald, How 's blue-collar roots keep him grounded in Chicago http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170318/sports/170318828/

 Daily Herald, Kyle Schwarber hometown connection to http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170318/sports/170318826/

 Cubs.com, Rizzo, Russell among 4 Cubs to HR vs. Crew http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/219867232/brewers-manny-pina-kyle-wren--3--hrs/

 Cubs.com, Maddon wants to face Classic champions http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/219933730/joe-maddon-wants-cubs-to-face-classic-champs/

 Cubs.com, Heyward, Kawasaki contribute in Japan tuneup http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/219870178/cubs-jason-heyward-drives-in-2-vs-team-japan/

 Cubs.com, Cubs well aware of challenge facing champs http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/219953696/cubs-know-repeating-as-champs-not-easy/

 Cubs.com, Schwarber adjusting to new spot in right field http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/219878694/cubs-kyle-schwarber-adjusts-to-right-field/

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CSNChicago.com Ian Happ Will Be In The Conversation For 2017 Cubs By Patrick Mooney

MESA, Ariz. – Ian Happ doesn't necessarily have to be a trade chip to impact a pennant race this summer. The Cubs believe his Wrigley Field ETA could be as soon as 2017.

The Opening Day roster is out of the question. Javier Baez is one of the most electrifying players in the game — a human highlight film in October and the — and even he doesn't have an everyday spot in this lineup.

That critical mass of hitters means Happ's name will be in trade rumors if/when the Cubs need to deal for pitching at the deadline. But this franchise also watched first-round picks from the 2012, 2013 and 2014 drafts help spark a 10th-, Game 7 rally in the 2016 .

There are enough signs to think Happ — the ninth overall pick in the 2015 out of the University of Cincinnati — could join Jr., and Kyle Schwarber in The Show at some point this .

"Yes, he is in the conversation," Joe Maddon said. "Now it's up to him to go out there and perform at a level that indicates that he's ready right now. and the regular season — even in the minor leagues — is entirely different."

Happ's Cactus League performance —.417 average and 1.239 OPS through 18 games — obviously doesn't mean all that much in isolation. But 's front office knows how to identify college hitters and Maddon is willing to move players around and trust rookies on a contending team.

Happ started in left field against Team Japan during Saturday afternoon's exhibition at Sloan Park, moving off second base and demonstrating the defensive versatility and switch-hitting skills that could put him on a faster track.

"It's up to him," Maddon said. "Right now, he looks great. He's going to have to go out and play. Listen, I think he's really good. He's a major-league player, absolutely. Right now, he's kicking it pretty good.

"But you don't know what's going to happen during the season. You don't know how he's going to react to the beginning part of the year. For me – with guys like that – let them go play and they'll let you know when they're ready."

Happ isn't on the 40-man roster yet and he's only played 65 games above the A-ball level. The flexibility might reflect a so-so defender without an obvious spot more than a super-utility guy in the mold. But the guy can hit, Maddon's philosophy has created a trickle-down effect in the farm system and the Cubs aren't afraid to push young talent.

"He's very self-confident," Maddon said. "Not in an arrogant way, but in an ‘I can do this, I belong here' kind of a way. And I think that's going to get him here sooner.

"You look at what gets him here sooner: Where's the need going to arise? If you just slot him at second base only – and that's the only position you feel comfortable with and you need a left fielder or whatever – (it becomes): ‘Oh, we can't bring him up because he doesn't play that position.' That's why I think the versatility is so important. But I like what I've seen."

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CSNChicago.com How John Lackey Could Come Back To Cubs And Strengthen 2018 Rotation: ‘Never Say Never’ By Patrick Mooney

MESA, Ariz. – There's always been an obvious difference between how John Lackey is perceived by the outside world and inside the clubhouse.

"Really?" said sarcastically.

Yeah, that's breaking Cubs news, but Lackey has seemed a little goofy this spring, or at least more eager to fire off one-liners at the media, zinging for saying 'yes' to everything in retirement and slamming the idea of a Grandpa-style farewell tour, saying he just won't show up the next year.

"That's a fact," Lackey said with a laugh after looking sharp during Saturday afternoon's 6-4 win over Team Japan at Sloan Park. "I promise you."

This might only last until the first time the best-in-baseball defense doesn't turn what Lackey thinks is a play. It shouldn't be interpreted as Lackey turning soft after getting sized for his third World Series ring.

But between the Lester bromance, a talented, professional young core that lives up to his old-school code and a Cubs rotation that could be in tatters after this season, Lackey is going to keep his options open.

"At this point, I think I'm more likely to next year than not pitch," Lackey said. "But we'll see at the end of the season."

In front of 14,204 in Mesa, Lackey gave up one run across five against a Japanese team heading to the World Baseball Classic semifinals at . Between the command, experience and velocity, predicted Lackey could pitch another three years if he wanted.

"A couple years might be a stretch," Lackey said. "But we'll see. I'm just going to pitch this season (first)."

After that, the Cubs could be looking at replacing at least 40 percent of their rotation, the assumption being super- agent Scott Boras will negotiate a megadeal for Arrieta somewhere else. As for Lackey, he will be 39 on Opening Day 2018, more than six years removed from Tommy John surgery at that point.

"Never say never," general manager said. "This guy's been defying Father Time for a while."

Lackey recovered from the procedure on his right elbow and rehabbed his image around , helping the win the . Since getting traded to the St. Louis Cardinals and signing a two-year, $32 million deal with the Cubs, Lackey has thrived in the National League, going 27-21 with a 3.20 ERA in 72 starts.

"The way his career's been set up, it almost feels like two different careers," Hoyer said. "He had the great run before he got hurt. He had some struggles in Boston when he was hurt, but he had the surgery, and he's been a really good ever since. His work ethic is fantastic.

"It's not a decision that you make right now. But certainly we love having him. I think his edge, his swagger is fantastic for our team. And we're certainly glad that we signed him last winter."

Like Lackey famously said, he didn't come here for a haircut. If he wants more jewelry, this might be the place.

"Any time you're with a new team for the first time," Lester said, "you want to prove: 'Hey, this is why I'm good,' regardless of the contract that you've signed. I think that was part of it. I think he kind of wanted to fit in here and prove who he was and all that stuff.

"I get the same 'Lack' regardless. I know when to stay away from him – and when to poke him with the cattle prod a little bit and get him going."

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CSNChicago.com Top Cubs Prospect Eloy Jimenez Undergoes Shoulder Exam By Patrick Mooney

MESA, Ariz. – The day after manager Joe Maddon compared Eloy Jimenez to a young Edgar Martinez or , the Cubs were waiting to see how to proceed with his sore right shoulder.

Jimenez underwent tests on Saturday that left Cubs officials quietly optimistic that treatment for their top prospect would be focused on rest and a strengthening program. A clearer picture likely wouldn’t come into focus until later this weekend.

Jimenez made an awkward throw from the outfield four days ago during a Cactus League game against the at Sloan Park, though the discomfort was said to be building and not necessarily triggered by a specific play.

The scouting report on Jimenez is a polished approach for his age (20), size (6-foot-4) and relative inexperience (800-plus professional at-bats) since signing out of the Dominican Republic for $2.8 million.

After likely starting this season at advanced Class-A Myrtle Beach, the Cubs see Jimenez as a big part of the next coming wave that will hit Wrigley Field.

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Chicago Tribune Veteran John Lackey leaning toward pitching in 2018 By Mark Gonzales

John Lackey isn't sure he'll pitch as long as teammate Jake Arrieta wants to.

But Lackey, 38, sounds as if he wants to pitch past 2017.

"A couple years might be a stretch," Lackey said in response to Arrieta's desire to pitch until he's 40. "We'll see. I'm just going to pitch this season.

"At this point, I'm more likely to pitch next year than not pitch. But we'll see at the end of the season."

Lackey was set to pitch more than 200 innings last season until he experienced right shoulder discomfort in August, one start after he was asked to warm up in relief. Manager Joe Maddon accepted blame for the decision and said it will not happen again.

The Cubs are in need of starting pitching depth, and Lackey may be able to buy some time for the organization if he stays healthy — and wants to stay with the team.

"Never say never," general manager Jed Hoyer said. "He's defied Mother Time for a while. After he had Tommy John surgery (after the 2011 season), he went to have a good year in Boston and pitched great for St. Louis for 11/2 years and had a good year for us last year.

"He's probably deciding, and it's not a decision you make now. But his edge, his swagger, is fantastic for the team and we're glad we signed him last winter."

Hold on, Jimenez: The Cubs are waiting results of a CT scan and MRI on the right throwing shoulder of top prospect Eloy Jimenez.

A source said Jimenez, the organization's 2016 minor league player of the year, "should be" OK, but team officials declined to elaborate until doctors examine the results of the tests. Jimenez was charged with an error Tuesday after making an errant throw from left field.

Jimenez, 20, batted .321 with two home runs this spring until he was reassigned Friday to minor-league camp. He could start the season at Class-A Myrtle Beach.

Spotting Schwarber: The most ideal spot for Kyle Schwarber to rest his surgically repaired left knee would be in games against left-handed starters, and a lot of them reside in the National League West.

"Schwarbs should be able to play most of the time against those guys more comfortably than I thought," Maddon said one day after Schwarber launched a towering three-run off White Sox lefty Derek Holland. "It's just a thought. But … when you do see a lefty, that might be the perfect time to give him a rest. He will hit against lefties in a game as opposed to pinch hitting for him."

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Chicago Tribune Saturday's split-squad recap: Cubs 6, Japan 4; Brewers 13, Cubs 7 By Staff

The Cubs rallied from an early deficit Saturday to defeat Japan 6-4 in a split-squad game at Sloan Park. In Maryvale, Jake Buchanan was tagged for four runs in two innings of a 13-7 loss to the Brewers.

At the plate: 's swing looks more fluid and he is pulling pitches with more authority. He grounded to first to score with the tying run in the first against Japan, then ripped a to right field to score Ben Zobrist in the third. and each hit solo home runs against the Brewers.

On the mound: John Lackey retired 11 of the final 12 hitters he faced, allowing three hits over five innings in his win against Japan. Aaron Brooks allowed three runs in the seventh to put the Brewers comfortably ahead.

In the field: Ian Happ started in left field, and hemade two catches with ease in the sixth against Japan.

Key : 8 — Runs batted in by Heyward this spring.

Up next: Vs. Royals, 9:05 p.m. Sunday at Sloan Park. LH Mike Montgomery vs. RH Ian Kennedy.

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Chicago Tribune Cubs' Ian Happ could hop to majors in 2017 By Mark Gonzales

Ian Happ survived the ' latest round of cuts Friday and will start in left field Saturday against Japan.

And despite not playing yet at the Triple-A level, Maddon didn't rule out the possibility that the switch-hitting Happ, 22, could reach the majors this season.

"It’s up to him," Maddon said of Happ, who is batting .417 with three home runs and nine RBIs. "Right now he looks great. He’s going to have to go out and play. That’s it. I think he’s really good. He’s a major league player. But he’s kicking it very good."

Happ has played well at second base this spring despite questions about his defense. His start in left will give a chance to enhance his versatility as well as give the Cubs a gauge to see his progress.

"You don’t know what’s going to happen during the season," Maddon said. "You don’t know how he’s going to react to the beginning part of the year. For me, guys like that, you let them go play. And they’ll let you know when they’re ready.

"And when he is ready, yes, he is in the conversation. Now it’s up to him to perform at a level that indicates he’s ready right now. The spring training and regular season, even in the minors, is completely different."

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Chicago Tribune Cubs' Joe Maddon to Team Japan: Enjoy a Dodger dog By Mark Gonzales

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon had some advice Saturday for Team Japan before they travel to Dodger Stadium for the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic.

“Make sure they have a Dodger Dog," Maddon told a Japanese reporter before the Cubs played Japan in an exhibition game at Sloan Park. "Make sure they start off with a Dodger Dog. That’s the first thing they do, get a Dodger hot dog. They’re one of the best ever. They’re really long and delicious.

"After that, enjoy the moment. It’s a great venue playing at Dodger Stadium. When I got there the first time with the Angels, it was fabulous, the history of that ballpark.

My advice to groups or teams, even my guys, when you’re going there for the first time, make sure you slow it down and enjoy the moments. It’s beautiful."

Maddon reminisced about playing Japanese teams dating back to the 1980s at Gene Autry Park in Mesa when his instructional league teams would play the Tokyo Giants and manager Yutaka Sudo, who has been an annual visitor to the Cubs' camp since Maddon took over.

"I've always been a fan of the way they played the game," Maddon said. "They're fundamentally sound. I've always been impressed with their ' abilities to keep the ball down in the strike zone.

"Their are tough. They block the ball well and throw well. Their hitting is different. They all seem to be cut from the same cloth when it comes to hitting."

Team Japan will play The Netherlands in a WBC semifinal Monday at Dodger Stadium.

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Chicago Sun-Times Cubs optimistic Eloy Jimenez’ shoulder injury not serious By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. – Cubs top prospect Eloy Jimenez, who was reassigned to minor-league camp Friday, has undergone both an MRI and a CT scan on his sore shoulder and the Cubs expect to have more clarity on the injury by Monday.

The power-hitting hasn’t played on either side of camp since Tuesday, when he launched an errant, ninth-inning throw from left field that landed in the seats behind the third-base dugout. It’s believed that aggravated an already mildly sore shoulder.

The Cubs seem optimistic the injury won’t require more than a rest period and re-strengthening program to resolve.

Notes: Look for leadoff man Kyle Schwarber to get a sizeable number of his scheduled days off this season against National League West opponents, if only because most of the league’s better left-handed starters are in that division, manager Joe Maddon said. “That might be the perfect time to give him those days,” said Maddon, referring to the Cubs’ Schwarber-maintenance planning coming off major knee surgery that cost him nearly all of last season. …The Cubs began having starting pitchers bat in games Saturday and will do that for the rest of the spring, said, regardless of whether they’re playing an AL or NL opponent. …The Cubs hosted World Baseball Classic semifinalist Japan in an exhibition game Saturday as the team travels from the Far East to Los Angeles for the final round of tournament games. …When asked by a reporter covering Team Japan what advice Maddon has for players experiencing Dodger Stadium for the first time, the Cubs manager said: “Get a Dodger Dog.”

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Chicago Sun-Times John Lackey to return to Cubs in 2018? ‘Never say never’ By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. – Is it possible the Cubs could replace John Lackey next year with … John Lackey?

The veteran right-hander is in the final year of a two-year contract and hasn’t ruled out retirement after the season. But after a five-inning exhibition start against Japan’s World Baseball Classic team on Saturday, he suggested he’ll look for a place to pitch next year – maybe even back with the Cubs.

“A couple years might be a stretch,” Lackey, 38, said when asked if he wanted to return after this season. “We’ll see. I’m just going to pitch this season. At this point I think I’m more likely to pitch next year than not pitch, but we’ll see at the end of the season.”

If Lackey finishes the season healthy and with results anything close to last year (11-8, 3.35 ERA), he could become an attractive option for easing the transition for a rotation that’s almost certain to lose 2015 Award winner Jake Arrieta to free agency.

“Never say never,” general manager Jed Hoyer said. “This guy’s been defying Father Time for a while.”

Since returning from Tommy John surgery in 2013, Lackey is 48-41 with a 3.35 ERA, averaging 31 starts and 198 1/3 innings a year – and winning two championships with two different teams.

“His work ethic is fantastic,” Hoyer said. “I think he’s probably deciding [whether to pitch next year]. It’s not a decision you make right now.

But certainly we love having him,” he added. “His edge, his swagger is fantastic for our team, and we’re certainly glad we signed him last winter.”

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Chicago Sun-Times Split-squad split for Cubs, who beat Team Japan, fall to Brewers By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. — Cubs starter John Lackey gave up a one-out solo home run in the first but gave up only two hits and a walk the rest of his five-inning exhibition start against World Baseball Classic semifinalist Japan in a 6-4 exhibition victory.

But 20 miles away in Maryvale, Ariz., minor-league starter Jake Buchanan was not as sharp in the Cactus League road half of the doubleheader against the Brewers, giving up four in the first. Four unearned runs in the third turned on the rout in the 13-7 loss.

Lackey rolls

The veteran retired 11 of the final 12 he faced in the 93-degree heat.

“I felt pretty good the whole time really,” he said. “The arm is feeling good right now. The other stuff is coming along, getting a little better each start.”

Powerball

Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell and John Andreoli each hit solo shots against the Brewers, and Jacob Hannemann added a two-run shot in that game.

Russell leads the Cubs with four official home runs this spring; Andreoli also has four, counting his three in the WBC for Italy.

Hey-Hey-ward

For most of the spring, the results have not looked much different for Jason Heyward than they did during his career-worst season at the plate last year.

But after a 2-for-3 game against Japan that included an opposite-field single and a sharply hit out that required a backhand stab by the , Heyward is 5-for-9 in his last three games (over last four days).

The first-inning out and a third-inning single to right both drove in runs.

Mune-ball

Munenori Kawasaki, the Cubs’ Japanese manager Joe Maddon wanted playing short and batting leadoff against Team Japan, reached on an infield single and walked in his first two trips to the plate – stealing second base and eventually scoring each time.

He also lined out to left in the sixth.

On deck

Royals at Cubs, Mesa, Ariz., 9:05 p.m. (CT), CSN, 670-AM, Ian Kennedy vs. Mike Montgomery.

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Daily Herald How Kyle Schwarber's blue-collar roots keep him grounded in Chicago By Bruce Miles

Few things can evoke images of middle America as a city called Middletown.

Middletown, Ohio, nestled in southwest Ohio between Cincinnati and Dayton, is such a place.

Middletown has seen its share of boom, bust and attempts at revitalization over the years. It also was central to a best-selling book of 2016, "Hillbilly Elegy," by J.D. Vance, whose family migrated from eastern Kentucky to Middletown.

The Chicago Cubs feature a son of Middletown: outfielder- Kyle Schwarber, who played baseball and football at Middletown High School and who has seen firsthand the effects of economic change in a rust belt city.

Schwarber speaks with pride of his home city and its more than 48,000 residents.

"I say that the town we live in, they're a bunch of grinders, kind of like the term we use in baseball," Schwarber said during Cubs spring training in Mesa, Arizona. "I think that was the good part of growing up there: You work for what you get. Everyone there are hard workers. It might not be much, but they're going to work and support their family. I think that's why that town is a special town. We've pulled out some good athletes from there, too. I think that (the work ethic) has a lot to do with it."

Like Middletown, Chicago has blue-collar roots, and the hard-driving Schwarber has built quite a cult following despite having limited major-league experience. Part of it no doubt stems from a now-fabled home run he hit to help the Cubs close out the hated St. Louis Cardinals in the 2015 National League division series. And part of it no doubt is based on the comeback he made from last year's major knee surgery, as he willed himself into the World Series, won by the Cubs.

Schwarber's accomplishments haven't gone unnoticed in his hometown.

The Middletown Historical Society will name its annual History Maker during a dinner on April 8. Schwarber is one of the nominees for the award.

"He is a very, very positive role model for the younger generation," said Sam Salmon, a trustee of the Society and its website director. "We're very proud to have him. We're just very proud of our past and our heritage and excited for the future and what history the younger generation will make for Middletown.

"Middletown, in my lifetime, has changed quite a bit. We hit a real downturn in the economy like everybody else did in the United States. But we have a lot of hardworking blue-collar workers with AK Steel and other manufacturing firms in Middletown," Salmon said.

"Middletown was hit hard when the economy took a turn for the worse. But Middletown stayed strong, and right now, with the downtown Middletown area especially, you see a lot of revitalization, the members of the younger generation coming back in and starting businesses downtown and really revitalizing that area."

In addition to family, Schwarber credits his former high school football coach, Jason Krause, for helping to shape him. Schwarber went on to play baseball at Indiana University before the Cubs took him with their first pick of the 2014 draft.

Krause since has moved on to Fairfield (Ohio) High School, where he serves as head football coach and dean of students. He recalls Schwarber coming back from a knee injury in high school.

"He came back just in time for the tournament and hit a home run his first at-bat in the tournament," said Krause, who had a chance to visit with his protégé this spring in Mesa. "Me being the head football coach at the time, I'm thinking, 'Well, he's committed to Indiana to play baseball. He's had a knee injury. He may not play his senior year of football.' He never wavered on that.

"He came out and was our team captain his senior year. We went 10-0 that year. Just an awesome example for kids, just his effort, his hard work, his tenacity, his no-quit attitude."

Oftentimes it can be a stretch to call a professional athlete a "blue-collar" guy, but in Schwarber's case, his former coach says the label fits.

"He appeals the blue-collar people, the fans, because he's a worker," Krause said. "He does his job. He's not flashy. He wears his blue jeans and his cowboy boots. That's the kind of guy he is, and that's the kind of guy he was at Middletown. He was a leader for us in the entire building. He was in the core leaders. He was on the football team, the baseball team. He was team captain in both voted by his teammates. His dad was the police chief of the town. He's definitely blue collar."

Schwarber has witnessed the effects of hard times his town, whether it be unemployment or the drug epidemic that has hit communities from coast to coast.

"It is tough," he said. "It's sad when you see in the news that maybe a friend that you know passed away because of a drug overdose or something like that. It is a shame. I guess it's a part of how it is in the States.

"If we could clean that up, we set an example for the young kids growing up there and having dreams of being a professional athlete or something like that, whatever it is, a scientist. Let them have the best opportunity. Don't bring that into their lives. I've had plenty of friends who fell into that trap, too, who were some of the best athletes I've ever seen, and just couldn't really put it together and fell into the trap. You just wish the best for them. You just hate to see it."

Schwarber was back in his hometown after the Cubs won the World Series. He said he didn't want his talks to the schools to only focus on his baseball exploits.

"It was really cool because I didn't want to talk about athletics," he said. "I just really wanted to talk about life, how people face adversity. They're going to have failure and then they're going to have success.

"That's how it is (in Middletown). Things go up. Things go down. I just feel it's a never-quit attitude there. Those people are always going to try to find a way. It can be tough on people there. It might not be ideal, but they're going to try to find a way to support their family. At the end of the day, that's what it's all about, trying to give your kids the best possible chance to succeed. I feel that's what they do."

For Schwarber's former football coach, that gets to the heart of something else.

"One of the big things that I noticed when I was coaching there was just the pride in being a Middletown Middie," Krause said. "There's a lot of pride. I haven't seen it a lot of other schools that I've been at. Kids take pride in playing for the football team or whatever. There, across the board, the entire community, their kids grow up wanting to be a Middletown Middie. People would ask me, 'What's a Middie?' People's answer in Middletown is, 'I'm a Middie.' That's all you need to know: 'I'm a Middie.' And I think that's it."

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Daily Herald Kyle Schwarber hometown connection to Babe Ruth By Bruce Miles

Two home runs. Two common threads.

In October 2015, Kyle Schwarber hit a mammoth home run to help the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League division series. The ball landed on top of the right field video board at Wrigley Field, and the Cubs left it there.

In October 1932, Babe Ruth is said to have "called his shot" and hit a home run in Game 3 of the World Series at Wrigley Field.

Ruth's home run is the stuff of legend. Schwarber, perhaps because of his 6-foot, 235-pound body and powerful swing, has drawn some comparisons to the Babe. The home run against the Cardinals and Schwarber's comeback last year from major knee surgery have created a small legend of their own.

The 24-year-old Schwarber hails from Middletown, Ohio. The pitcher who gave up Ruth's "called shot" was .

His hometown?

"He was from Middletown, let me guess," Schwarber said. "Really? It's a small world."

Middletown is a city of just fewer than 50,000 people between Cincinnati and Dayton. Despite its size, Middletown has turned out more than its share of prominent athletes in addition to Schwarber and Root.

Basketball Hall of Famer Jerry Lucas won a state high school championship, an NCAA title at Ohio State, an Olympic gold medal and an NBA championship.

Kayla Harrison won Olympic gold medals for judo in 2012 and 2016.

Football players from Middletown have included Hall of Famer Cris Carter, former Chicago Bears safety Todd Bell and current New York Jets player Jalin Marshall.

As for Schwarber, he said he would never do something as audacious as calling his shot. (Root always maintained Ruth didn't do it either and that the Babe might have taken a pitch from Root in the ribs if he had.)

"That's a little bit too much out of my league right there," Schwarber said. "I'll take the home runs when they come. I don't think that I would ever do that."

As for his own "legend," Schwarber seems to enjoy it while taking it in stride.

"Me, as I am, I really don't want to take it to heart," he said. "If you take it to heart, you start getting a big head and you won't be the teammate that you want to be. I think it's really cool that fans look at me that way. Your goal as a baseball player is to, obviously, one, go out there and win. But, two, be loved by your city that you play for.

"I feel that just being able to have the fans see me playing, see the way that they see me grind it throughout the injury to make it back, thing like that, I feel like I'm going in the right direction there."

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Cubs.com Rizzo, Russell among 4 Cubs to HR vs. Crew By Adam McCalvy

PHOENIX -- Anthony Rizzo responded to a pair of high-and-tight pitches by hitting a solo home run in the first inning, but the Brewers struck back with a pair of three-run shots in a 13-7 win over a split Cubs squad Saturday at Maryvale Baseball Park.

Manny Pina hit a three-run homer in Milwaukee's four-run first inning, and outfield prospect Kyle Wren hit another three-run shot in a four-run third. Pina's home run was his second in as many days as he continues a bid for an Opening Day roster spot at catcher.

Pina finished with two hits and two runs scored for the Brewers, and he is 8-for-13 over his past four games. "I was impressed with his [81] plate appearances with us last year," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said of Pina. "To me, that was an impressive little stretch. He held his own, a [.740] OPS. He did a nice job. Offensively, his game has seemed to develop late in his career a little bit. He's a hitter."

The Cubs, who also hosted Japan's World Baseball Classic team in an exhibition at Mesa, Ariz., on Saturday, sent six of their starting position players to Maryvale expecting to see Brewers Opening Day starter Junior Guerra. But the Brewers made a change on Saturday morning, shifting Guerra to a Minor League game and employing a series of pitchers for an inning apiece against the Cubs, starting with left-hander Brent Suter.

Suter struck out the side in the first inning, but not before surrendering Rizzo's long home run over the 400-foot marker in right-center field.

The Brewers scored four times in the first inning against Cubs starter Jake Buchanan, who surrendered those four runs on six hits in two innings, with no walks and two .

Rizzo, Addison Russell and John Andreoli all hit solo home runs for Chicago, and Jacob Hannemann hit a two-run homer in the seventh as the Cubs, after trailing by as many as eight runs, pulled as close as 10-7.

For the Brewers, catcher Dustin Houle homered and Travis Shaw led the way with three hits and scored twice. Former first-round Draft pick Trent Clark collected his first hit in a big league game and fellow prospects Isan Diaz and Mauricio Dubon drove in a run apiece.

Cubs Up Next: Mike Montgomery will face the Royals on Sunday when the Cubs play another night game at Sloan Park. Montgomery, a candidate for the fifth starter spot, will be making his fifth spring appearance and fourth start. He's given up 11 hits over seven innings so far while striking out eight. First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 p.m. CT on MLB.TV.

Brewers Up Next: gets the start Sunday as the Brewers visit Scottsdale Stadium to play the Giants at 3:05 p.m on MLB.TV. CT. Bob Uecker and Jeff Levering have the call on Gameday Audio and the Brewers Radio Network.

Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV.

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Cubs.com Maddon wants to face Classic champions By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- After playing Team Japan on Saturday in an exhibition game, Cubs manager Joe Maddon had a proposition. He'd like to see the defending Major League World Series champs play the winner of the World Baseball Classic in a best-of-three series. Maddon suggested the showdown happen after the Classic ends.

"The Major League team would be in great shape and I think it could be kind of interesting," Maddon said.

If that happened this year, the Cubs would play the winner of the Classic. Maddon said he thought that type of series would help prep his club for the regular season.

Any advice from the defending champs to Team Japan on how to win a championship?

"Play hard, and have fun," Maddon said. "Play hard every day and have fun."

• John Lackey threw five innings against Team Japan in Chicago's 6-4 win, striking out three, although the Cubs right-hander said it didn't matter who he faced.

"I've got a plan and I'm trying to execute some things, work on a few things," Lackey said. "Who's in the [batter's] box is kind of irrelevant right now."

There's been speculation that this may be Lackey's last year. Teammate Jake Arrieta said he thinks Lackey can pitch a couple more seasons.

"A couple years might be a stretch," Lackey said. "We'll see. I'm just going to pitch this season. At this point, I'm more likely to pitch next year than not pitch, but we'll see at the end of the season."

"We love having him," Cubs GM Jed Hoyer said. "His edge, his swagger are fantastic for the team and we're certainly glad we signed him last winter."

• Top prospect Eloy Jimenez, who was assigned to Minor League camp on Friday, underwent an MRI and a CT scan on his right shoulder. He's been sidelined since Tuesday when he made an awkward throw home in a game.

• Ian Happ, No. 2 on MLB Pipeline's list of the Top 30 Cubs prospects, made his first spring start in the outfield. Happ has opened some eyes this spring with his hitting. He's primarily played second base, but if can show his versatility, he could get to the big leagues quicker.

"It's up to him," Maddon said of the Cubs' 2015 first-round Draft pick. "Right now, he looks great. He's going to have to go out and play. He's a Major League player, absolutely. You don't know what's going to happen during the season, you don't know how he's going to react at the beginning of the year.

"To me, let him go play and they'll let you know when they're ready. Yes, he is in the conversation. It's up to him to go out and perform at a level that indicates he's ready right now."

• Munenori Kawasaki led off for the Cubs against Team Japan on Saturday and singled, drew a walk, stole two bases and scored two runs.

"He was Javy Kawasaki," Maddon said, comparing Kawasaki with Javier Baez. "[Kawasaki] played that kind of game -- great defense, great baserunning, a catalyst. You saw, he was playing with a lot of energy today. I wanted him to be able to showcase his abilities for back home."

Maddon was asked by Japanese reporters if any of the Team Japan players were Major League-ready.

"I like all your pitchers -- all your pitchers can play in the big leagues," said Maddon, who was especially impressed with lefty Naoki Miyanishi.

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Cubs.com Heyward, Kawasaki contribute in Japan tuneup By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs manager Joe Maddon was first exposed to Japanese baseball about 30 years ago in instructional league when he was a coach in the Angels' system and faced a team managed by Yutaka Sudo, a former player with the Yomiuri Giants.

"I was always a big fan of the way they played the game -- fundamentally sound," Maddon said of Japanese players. "I've always been impressed with their pitchers' ability to keep the ball down in the strike zone. I've always liked their catchers -- their catchers are really tough. I thought they blocked the ball well and threw well.

"Their hitting has always been a little bit different," Maddon said. "They all seem to be cut from the same cloth when it comes to hitting. I am a fan of the game and the way they play it, and 'Sudo-san' and I are good buddies."

On Saturday, Sudo, 79, took the Cubs' lineup card out with Maddon for an exhibition game between the defending World Series champions and Team Japan. The Cubs won, 6-4, in front of 14,204 at Sloan Park.

Ryosuke Kikuchi showed no signs of jet lag when he hit a home run to left with one out in the first off the first pitch he saw from Cubs starter John Lackey. The Cubs tied the game in their half when Munenori Kawasaki reached on an infield single, stole second and scored one out later on Jason Heyward's groundout.

Ben Zobrist added an RBI triple and scored on Heyward's single in the third. Lackey scattered three hits over five innings and struck out three. However, none of these statistics count.

Team Japan did not lose a game in the first two rounds of the World Baseball Classic, and will next play Tuesday in the championship round at Dodger Stadium against the runner up from Pool F, which includes Team USA, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

A Japanese reporter asked Maddon if he had any advice for Team Japan regarding Dodger Stadium.

"Make sure they have a Dodger dog," Maddon said. "That's the first thing you do is get a Dodger hot dog. They're really long and they're delicious. After that, enjoy the moment. It's a great venue.

"My advice to groups or teams is when you're going somewhere for the first time is make sure you slow it down and enjoy the moment."

The World Baseball Classic runs through Wednesday. In the U.S., games air live exclusively in English on MLB Network and on an authenticated basis via MLBNetwork.com/watch, while ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN provide the exclusive Spanish-language coverage. MLB.TV Premium subscribers in the U.S. have access to watch every tournament game live on any of the streaming service's 400-plus supported devices. The tournament is being distributed internationally across all forms of television, internet, mobile and radio in territories excluding the U.S., Puerto Rico and Japan. Get tickets for games in San Diego's Petco Park and the Championship Round at Dodger Stadium, while complete coverage -- including schedules, video, stats and gear -- is available at WorldBaseballClassic.com.

Team Japan Up Next: Team Japan will play the Dodgers on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz., before heading to Los Angeles for the championship round of the World Baseball Classic. Team Japan will play Tuesday at Dodger Stadium against the runner up from Pool F, which includes Team USA, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

Cubs Up Next: Mike Montgomery will face the Royals on Sunday when the Cubs play another night game at Sloan Park. Montgomery, a candidate for the fifth starter spot, will be making his fifth spring appearance and fourth start. He's given up 11 hits over seven innings so far while striking out eight. First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 p.m. CT on MLB.TV.

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Cubs.com Cubs well aware of challenge facing champs By Anthony Castrovince

MESA, Ariz. -- The word was spreading around the Cubs' clubhouse as players filtered in from the field at Sloan Park. On the Cubs' docket this day was an exhibition against Team Japan, which was in town for a North American tuneup in the midst of the World Baseball Classic tournament.

But the Cubs, like many sports fans, were also following another tournament altogether -- the March Madness that was No. 1 overall seed and defending NCAA men's champ Villanova getting knocked out in the second round of the NCAAs.

"Wisconsin got 'em?" Cubs starter John Lackey asked.

Yep. Got 'em. And there, in one fell swoop, was a reminder -- as if a Cubs team that just ended a 108-year title drought needed it -- repeating ain't easy.

So what will make the 2017 Cubs different than the 2016-17 Wildcats -- or, for that matter, every World Series champion in the 21st century?

Lackey, a three-time World Series winner who was on two previous clubs (the 2003 Angels and '14 Red Sox) that followed up their title triumph with a sub-.500 season, is as good a resource as any for that question. He had a pretty good answer, too.

"This is a way different animal," he said, "because we're so much younger. Those were more veteran teams that I won with the last couple times. So I think the youth is going to help us. They still have energy, they're still trying to prove themselves, they're still going to arbitration. They've got a lot in front of them."

Lackey was clearly referring to the Cubs' position-player group and not so much a rotation with three guys in their 30s.

But he does have a point.

The Cubs' average position-player age last season was 27.4. Per the data available at Baseball-Reference.com, that was the lowest of any club that went on to win the World Series since the 1969 Mets (25.9), back when MLB's average position-player age was a full year younger than it was in '16.

Now, that doesn't mean we need to get into a dissertation over what happened to the 1970 Mets (and Cubs fans reading this don't need or want to hear anything else remotely associated with the '69 Mets anyway), but what's important here is that this Cubs team is in the fortunate position of being both in a formidable stage and a formative one.

"It's a really interesting situation," manager Joe Maddon said. "Our young guys get it. They're not living in the past, by any means. They know they're even better than what you saw last year. They want to pull that out of themselves ... and of course there's money to be made, too."

Kris Bryant specifically demonstrated that with a record-setting $1.05 million deal in his second pre-arbitration offseason. That was a nice message for the Cubs to send to their young guys: "Go ahead and win an MVP, and we'll take care of you."

In all seriousness, this camp has given us a window into the ridiculous possibility that the Cubs' position-player reservoir is not nearly as tapped as some might assume after so many high-profile promotions. Third baseman Jeimer Candelario, outfielder Eloy Jimenez and Ian Happ all had outstanding big league camps (though Jimenez did require tests for a sore shoulder Saturday after an awkward recent throw from the outfield).

Not bad for a club already dealing with the (good) dilemma of where and when to play Javier Baez.

OK, so what about the pitching? That's clearly where the so-called "hangover" concern is very real.

Jake Arrieta, 31, has thrown 468 1/3 innings over the last two years; Jon Lester, 33, has thrown 457 1/3; and Lackey, 38, has thrown 429 2/3. It shouldn't surprise you to learn all three rank in the top 10 among big league pitchers in innings over 2015-16. is younger, at 27, but he's coming off a 404-inning body of work in that two-season span.

Forget Maddon's mad scientist approach to the lineup. His attempt to appropriately manage and cap innings -- often against the wishes of his -- will be interesting to watch early this season. Lackey has already called the Cubs' potential hybrid model, in which Brett Anderson and Mike Montgomery serve as co-fifth men to occasionally buy the other starters extra off-days, a potential "disruption."

But the Cubs do feel they have a deeper (new closer Wade Davis looked especially sharp against Japan on Saturday) and decent starting insurance (Eddie Butler, , Casey Kelly) to brace for the inevitable. The Cubs got 93.8 percent of their starts last season from five guys and, well, that's going to be tough to repeat, too.

"We were healthy the last two years," general manager Jed Hoyer said. "We hope we're healthy again, but we've also got to be realistic."

Realistically? There's a not-small chance the Cubs might have to consider parting with some of that aforementioned position-player depth to assist the pitching staff.

But that's the beauty of it. One way or another, the Cubs are well-equipped. It's so rare in this sport to feel genuinely good about a club's chances of repeating, just because we've seen too many times the wear and tear that comes with a deep run -- especially one that extends into November. The Cubs, though, are the rare World Series winner that still has a ton of untapped potential, and they are, therefore, deserving of that No. 1 spot on your power rankings out of more than mere deference to their 2016 dominance.

All that said, as Villanova just taught us, it's best not to fill out power rankings -- or brackets -- in ink.

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Cubs.com Schwarber adjusting to new spot in right field By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- For the second straight game, Kyle Schwarber started in right field. The move is aimed at getting him ready for the days the Cubs play at Pittsburgh's PNC Park and other ballparks where right field may be a little smaller.

"It's not denigrating his abilities," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "It's just to give him a break a little bit where there's a smaller field to cover. Left field [at PNC Park] is very large."

Schwarber is coming back from two torn ligaments in his left knee, and he is projected to start in left field. The Cubs are well covered in right field with four-time National League Gold Glove Award winner Jason Heyward. In 2015, Schwarber started the last two games of the Cubs regular season at Miller Park in right, as well as the NL Game at PNC Park and the first NL Division Series game at Busch Stadium.

"Part of it is just the versatility of the whole thing," said Maddon, who likes being able to move players in-game. Schwarber started in right on Friday, and it definitely didn't affect his hitting as he launched a three-run homer in a win over the White Sox. If Schwarber can hit like that at PNC Park, Maddon said, "the ball lands in the Allegheny [River]."

Because this is Schwarber's first year back from the knee injury, he is not expected to play 162 games, and he could sit against some left-handed starters. Maddon noted there weren't many southpaws in the NL Central or NL East, but plenty in the NL West.

"The point is, Schwarber would play most of the time in the division," Maddon said. "When we do see a lefty, it could be the perfect time to give him a rest."

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