Cubs News and Notes: Cubs Photo Day, Wrigley Awards, Travis Wood loves dingers, MVP odds |
Wednesday, February 24, 2021, 7:27 PM | - -

Hello, Cubs fans out there! I hope everyone is having a blessed middle part of the week and ready for the upcoming baseball season.
Check out the latest news, photos, and tidbits from spring training with the Cubbies with our latest edition of Cubs News and Notes.
We will try to have this feature several times a week, so everyone gets a summary of what is happening regularly at Cubs camp.
Let's get right all the Cubs notes!
The Cubs looked fresh with their classic home uniforms on Tuesday:
Fresh pinstripes. ?? pic.twitter.com/S6ZUoXbHJW
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 24, 2021
Former Cubs pitcher Travis Wood talks about his grand slam against the White Sox in the latest 'Breakdown' video by Cubs Productions.
"I dream about hitting homers," Wood said in the following video.
"I dream about hitting homers."
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 23, 2021
Former Cubs pitcher Travis Wood breaks down his grand slam against the crosstown rival White Sox. ?? https://t.co/nrZu270CcA pic.twitter.com/Kv7AKEHhTo
Rizzo and Bryant are both 28-1 odds to win the National League MVP, according to BetOnline.ag.
Willson Contrereas comes in at 100-1 odds:
According to https://t.co/f9vepY9Q1r, Rizzo and Bryant (both at 28-1) are the Cubs' best bets among 38 players on their board to win NL MVP. Contreras 100-1. (Betts 13-2 favorite).
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 24, 2021
Cy Young (36 listed): Hendricks, Davies both 50-1 (deGrom 9-2 favorite; Darvish 9-1)
Check out this fun video of different Cubs players trying to spell different last names connected with the Cubs:
?? ?? Spelling Bee!
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 23, 2021
Can you out-spell these #Cubs players? pic.twitter.com/wfejXCHwoL
Great response by Cubs outfielder Ian Happ on what he needed from Costco:
when u accidentally send a major leaguer a text that totally wasnt intended for him @ihapp_1 pic.twitter.com/PzLEwxDl2X
— DOM (@DOM_Frederic) February 24, 2021
Look for youngster Nico Hoerner to have a better offensive season in 2021 as he has been working on his stance this offseason:
Talking with Nico Hoerner today, he said he opened up his stance this offseason working with assistant hitting coach Chris Valaika. Says swing is the same, but felt like he needed to have a more athletic base. #Cubs
— Russell Dorsey (@Russ_Dorsey1) February 24, 2021
Speaking of Cubs photo day on Tuesday, check out a previous Cubs photo day back in 1982 with photos from Lee Smith, Leon Durham, Billy Williams and Jody Davis:
Cubs photo day 1982. The players would skip BP and stand near the edge of the warning track. Fans with cameras walk the warning track. Lee Smith, Leon Durham, Jody Davis, Billy Williams. @cubs @BleacherNation @realcubsinsider @baseballhall pic.twitter.com/dryxoikj1U
— MBDChicago (@MBDChicago) February 24, 2021
Cubs beat writer Carrie Muskat has a new book out called 'The Big 50: The Mean and Moments that made the Chicago."
Here is a picture of the Cubs book:
Hey #Cubs fans, just got copies of a book you might like: "The Big 50: The Men and Moments that made the Chicago Cubs " pic.twitter.com/FzI1jIfXKy
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 23, 2021
Ernie Banks with his beautiful smile in this 1972 throwback pic:
Ernie Banks never got to wear the new 1972 @Cubs #PolyesterPullover jersey and #Sansabelt pants in a real game. But he sure was happy to show them off. pic.twitter.com/A8soJk4p3x
— Vintage Jerseys & Hats (@PolyesterUnis) February 23, 2021
The Cubs added elite prospect Brennen Davis to their spring training roster today:
Well look at who is freshening up for their first day of big league camp tomorrow: @BrennenDavis__. Those ST games in March just got a little more fun! pic.twitter.com/MdSLWraWbG
— Cubs Prospects - Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) February 24, 2021
Marquee Sports Network personality Taylor McGregor spent some with with the Cubs groundskeeper to see what it takes to help keep Wrigley Field looking so majestic:
How does one maintain Wrigley Field?@Taylor_McGregor met with head groundskeeper @DanKiermaier to find out! pic.twitter.com/agfEJDYHBI
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) February 24, 2021
Cubs veteran outfielder Jason Heyward won his first 'Wrigley' for being the top Chicago ambassador:
Chicago is home for J-Hey. ?? pic.twitter.com/I5C6tP80DX
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 24, 2021
Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo won a 'Wrigley' for being the Cubs' cleanest player after giving hand sanitizer to a Brewers player in 2020.
We are honored to present the first-ever Wrigley Awards!
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 24, 2021
First up: Mr. Clean, @ARizzo44. pic.twitter.com/x5tD8cAqhW
Former Cubs pitcher Rick Reuschel in this throwback pic wearing the powder blue uniforms:
Rick Reuschel is very underrated. Both for his pitching skills and his #WarmupJacket under the jersey skills. @Cubs pic.twitter.com/tT1G6ki7mM
— Vintage Jerseys & Hats (@PolyesterUnis) February 23, 2021
Finally another retro pic of former Cub Jose Cardenal who was a fan favorite during his 18-year pro career:
José Cardenal ???? was a fan favorite during his 6-yr stint w @Cubs, batting .296. Despite a 5-10, 150-lb frame, he had some power & speed on the basepaths. Here's the @sabr bio of the 18-yr vet https://t.co/T4SRCzKjCa pic.twitter.com/w7P0kDMIen
— SABR BioProject (@SABRbioproject) February 23, 2021