January 15, 2019 • NBC Sports Chicago, Cubs radio play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes named 2018 Illinois Sportscaster of the Year https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/cubs-radio-play-play-announcer-pat-hughes-named- 2018-illinois-sportscaster-year • NBC Sports Chicago, Cubs hire former MLB pitcher Craig Breslow as front office strategist https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/cubs-hire-former-mlb-pitcher-craig-breslow-front-office- strategist • Chicago Tribune, Cubs announcer Pat Hughes named 2018 Illinois Sportscaster of the Year https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-pat-hughes-sportscaster-award- 20190114-story.html • Chicago Tribune, Anthony Rizzo, Jon Lester and Addison Russell are not scheduled to attend Cubs Convention https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-convention-anthony-rizzo- 20190114-story.html • Chicago Tribune, Cubs add former major-league pitcher Craig Breslow to front office https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-craig-breslow-20190114- story.html • Chicago Sun-Times, Addison Russell won’t be at Cubs Convention this weekend https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/addison-russell-wont-be-at-cubs-convention-this-weekend/ • Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs hire ex-pitcher, Yale grad Craig Breslow as strategist https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-hire-ex-pitcher-yale-grad-craig-breslow-strategist/ • Daily Herald, Ex-relief pitcher Breslow joins Cubs operation staff https://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20190114/ex-relief-pitcher-breslow-joins-cubs-operation-staff • Cubs.com, Bote reflects on rookie season, walk-off slam https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/david-bote-discusses-rookie-year-grand-slam/c-302688596 -- NBC Sports Chicago Cubs radio play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes named 2018 Illinois Sportscaster of the Yea By Tim Stebbins Long-time Cubs radio play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes received a contract extension in December. Less than a month later, he has received yet another prestigious honor. Monday, the National Sports Media Association named Hughes the 2018 Illinois Sportscaster of the Year. "I'd like to dedicate this award to three special co-workers,” Hughes said in a press release. “The Operations Director of 670 The Score, Mitch Rosen, also the Executive Producer of Cubs Radio. And, to my two very talented and congenial booth partners, Ron Coomer and Zach Zaidman. Those three men have a great deal to do with this award.” This is the 12th time Hughes has won the Sportscaster of the Year honor and ninth such time in Illinois. He previously received the honor in Illinois in 1996, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2014, 2015 and 2017. Hughes also was named the Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year Award from 1990-92. Hughes, 63, is entering his 24th season as the Cubs radio play-by-play announcer and 37th consecutive season overall. -- NBC Sports Chicago Cubs hire former MLB pitcher Craig Breslow as front office strategist By Tim Stebbins A fellow Yale graduate has joined Cubs president and Yale product Theo Epstein in the team's front office. Monday, the Cubs announced that they have named former MLB pitcher Craig Breslow as Director of Strategic Initiatives for Baseball Operations. Breslow, 38, is a 2002 Yale graduate with a molecular biophysics and biochemistry degree. In his role with the Cubs, Breslow will "help to evaluate and implement data-based processes throughout all facets of Baseball Operations. He will also support the organization’s pitching infrastructure in Player Development and the major leagues," according to a press release. Breslow pitched in parts of 12 major league seasons from 2005-06 and 2008-17. Primarily a reliever, the left-hander finished his career with a 3.45 ERA in 576 career games. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs announcer Pat Hughes named 2018 Illinois Sportscaster of the Year By Mark Gonzales Cubs play-by-play radio announcer Pat Hughes was named the 2018 Illinois Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. This marks the 12th time Hughes has won the honor and his ninth in Illinois, previously winning the award in 1996, 1999, 2006-07, 2009, 2014-15 and 2017. Hughes won the Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year for three consecutive seasons (1990-92). Hughes tied last year with ABC-7’s Mark Giangreco. The Sun-Times’ Rick Morrissey was named Illinois Sportswriter of the Year, a first for the former Tribune columnist. ESPN’s Doris Burke became the first woman named National Sportscaster of the Year and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was named National Sportswriter of the year for a second successive time. NBC’s Mike “Doc” Emrick and Peter King and ESPN’s Bob Ley and Tony Kornheiser were named to the NSMA Hall of Fame. Hughes is entering his 37th consecutive season as a major-league broadcaster, having served the last 23 as the radio voice of the Cubs. “I'd like to dedicate this award to three special co-workers,” Hughes said in a statement. “The operations director of 670 The Score, Mitch Rosen. Also the executive producer of Cubs Radio. And, to my two very talented and congenial booth partners, Ron Coomer and Zach Zaidman. Those three men have a great deal to do with this award.” -- Chicago Tribune Anthony Rizzo, Jon Lester and Addison Russell are not scheduled to attend Cubs Convention By Mark Gonzales Five Hall of Fame players are scheduled to attend the 34th annual Cubs Convention this weekend but there will be some significant no-shows. First baseman Anthony Rizzo, shortstop Addison Russell, and pitchers Jon Lester and Tyler Chatwood weren’t listed among the 31 active players scheduled to attend the three-day event that starts Friday night at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. Rizzo was married on Dec. 30 and is on his honeymoon. Russell is currently serving a suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic abuse policy. Lester committed to participating in a golf tournament in Florida. Newly-elected Lee Smith will join fellow Cubs Hall of Famers Fergie Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg, Andre Dawson and Billy Williams in a “Cubs in Cooperstown” panel. “Cubs in Cooperstown” is one of three new panels. The others are: —“Cubs Talk”: Albert Almora Jr., Steve Cishek, Daniel Descalso and Ian Happ will tell stories and participate in a question-and-answer session with fans. —“Off the Field”: Happ, Carl Edwards Jr., Jason Heyward and Pedro Strop will discuss their off-field interests in a discussion aimed toward younger fans. Topics include music, fashion, art and more. Opening ceremonies will start Friday at 6 p.m., followed by “Friday Night With Ryan Dempster” at 7:30 p.m. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs add former major-league pitcher Craig Breslow to front office By Mark Gonzales The Cubs will put Craig Breslow’s 12 years as a major-league pitcher and his degrees in molecular biophysics and biochemistry to good use. Breslow, 38, was hired Monday to become the team’s director of strategic initiatives for baseball operations. In a statement, the Cubs said Breslow will “help to evaluate and implement data-based processes throughout all facets of Baseball Operations” and help the organization’s pitching infrastructure. Breslow completed a 12-year career in 2017. Breslow posted a 3.45 career ERA and appeared in all but two of his 576 games as a reliever with seven teams, including the 2013 World Series champion Red Sox. Breslow graduated from Yale in 2002 — the same year he was drafted by the Brewers in the 26th round. Breslow pitched for the Padres, Red Sox, Indians, Twins, Athletics, Diamondbacks and Marlins. Breslow pitched in at least 60 games six times, posting a career-best 5-2 record and 1.81 ERA in 61 games with the Red Sox in 2013. -- Chicago Sun-Times Addison Russell won’t be at Cubs Convention this weekend By Madeline Kenney As expected, troubled shortstop Addison Russell won’t be at Cubs Convention this weekend. Other current players that aren’t expected to attend the three-day fan festival at the Sheraton Grand Chicago — which begins Friday at 6 p.m. — include first baseman Anthony Rizzo, right-hander Tyler Chatwood and left-hander Jon Lester. Russell is currently serving a 40-game suspension stemming from an investigation by Major League Baseball into physical and emotional abuse allegations made by his ex-wife, Melisa Reidy. He’ll serve the final 29 games at the start of the 2019 season. Team president Theo Epstein said in November that the Cubs promised to hold Russell accountable and are monitoring his off-the-field progress as he attends a league-mandated therapy and education program. Russell, whom the Cubs signed to a one-year, $3.4 million deal with several rare roster bonuses worth as much as $600,000, also apologized for his past behavior. For a full list of expected attendees and information on this weekend’s event, go here. -- Chicago Sun-Times Cubs hire ex-pitcher, Yale grad Craig Breslow as strategist By Gordon Wittenmyer The Cubs roster doesn’t look any better than it did when the season ended, but the front office might be a little smarter with the hiring, announced Monday, of former big-league pitcher Craig Breslow. Breslow, a Yale graduate with a degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry, is the Cubs’ new director of strategic initiatives for baseball operations, assuming some duties that had been shared by other front office personnel. The job entails helping to “evaluate and implement data-based processes throughout all facets of baseball operations” and support the organization’s pitching infrastructure. Breslow, 38, pitched in the majors for seven teams over a 12-year career that included a World Series championship with the Red Sox in 2013.