Cubs News and Notes: Bryzzo crushing dingers in BP, Lester tribute, Happ smiles, Photo day |
Wednesday, February 24, 2021, 8:11 AM | - -

Hello, Cubs fans out there! I hope everyone is having a blessed day and excited 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 a few 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 are in their classic home whites for their photo day. Good pics by Cubs beat writer Jordan Bastion.
Cubs going through today’s workout in the home whites, following photo day this morning. pic.twitter.com/GPBUVZH2rb
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 23, 2021
Good photo of Cubs relievers Manuel Rodriguez and Juan Gamez:
CACHORROS MEXICANOS
— Roberto Espinoza (@Beisbolpuro) February 23, 2021
Los lanzadores mexicanos Manuel "Bolón" Rodríguez (@manuelR_77) y Juan Gámez (@Jgamez09) ya se encuentran en el spring training de @Cubs.#LaCasaDelRey pic.twitter.com/hdYoDyzbGV
New Cubs outfielder Joc Pederson looking good during batting practice. More on that later in this article:
New threads. ?? pic.twitter.com/5daFIHZyzp
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 23, 2021
Here are a few photos during the Cubs workout:
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 23, 2021
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 23, 2021
Bryzzo playing catcher together in the following video, courtesy of Gordon Wittenmyer:
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 23, 2021
Newcomers Zach Davies, Jack Marisnick, and Joc Peterson sighting in the following picture:
Three new #Cubs additions @ZDavies3 @JSMarisnick @yungjoc650 during live BP. #SpringTraining2021 pic.twitter.com/aqTgEaL0Na
— John Antonoff (@baseballinfocus) February 23, 2021
The Professor was in session this afternoon in the following video:
SP1 #Cubs pic.twitter.com/73RzB9QYo8
— Russell Dorsey (@Russ_Dorsey1) February 23, 2021
El Mago was crushing some batting practice fastball today:
Some Javy Báez BP for your eyes and ears... pic.twitter.com/wfwj6psXdx
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 23, 2021
Cubs shared a fun video doing a question and answer segment with different players:
Which Cubs player is most likely to run a marathon? ??
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 23, 2021
Reply with your picks! #CubTogether pic.twitter.com/c5jY6cNsDf
Sneak peek on what photo day looked like as Jason Heyward was getting his picture taken:
J-Hey on photo day! ????
— Cubs Zone ™? (@CubsZone) February 23, 2021
(??: @Cubs) pic.twitter.com/wivJ5cis5z
Interesting video of Cubs hitting coach Anthony Iapoce mic'd up during batting practice:
.@cubs hitting coach Anthony Iapoce was mic’d up today! pic.twitter.com/eYALUkaIwG
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) February 23, 2021
Pederson reportedly smacked a homer off during live pitching from new Cubs pitcher Trevor Williams:
The main outfield group — Heyward, Happens, Pederson and Marisnick — got a live BP look at Davies and Williams. Pederson got a good swing in against Williams, hitting a homer to CF (though not caught on camera by this amateur). pic.twitter.com/AqyuvJXGAy
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) February 23, 2021
Another view of Pederson taking in some live at-bats:
Per @M_Montemurro, Joc Pederson’s first homer of the year was a shot off Trevor Williams in live BP at Sloan Park. @GDubCub @Russ_Dorsey1 and I were at Field 1 watching Rizzo, Bryant and Báez face live pitching.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 23, 2021
Williams, Davies and Fenter faced hitters today in the ballpark. pic.twitter.com/llm8mDOScq
Bryzzo and Baez group smashing dingers during batting practice:
The Rizzo, Báez and Bryant BP group is crushing baseballs this morning, each hitting multiple homers. Sure, it’s BP but still good to see if you’re the Cubs.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) February 23, 2021
Rizzo appeared to hit two over the right field netting into the media parking lot. pic.twitter.com/DGC6XqwrOH
Cubs released a documentary on Tuesday of the 2020 season and showed Kyle Schwarber's tribute video to Jon Lester.
It must have been special for Lester because they are actually teammates in Washington.
Kyle Schwarber’s tribute video to Jon Lester is the greatest thing ever. ????
— Cubs Zone ™? (@CubsZone) February 23, 2021
(??: @Cubs / YouTube) @kschwarb12 @JLester34 pic.twitter.com/Rk09xDqNC6
CubsHQ's Dustin Riese projects his Cubs Opening Day roster for the offense side of things:
Predicting 2021 Opening Day #Cubs Roster: Offense: https://t.co/xU9B49AXax pic.twitter.com/9vvLry3Zhm
— CubsHQ.com (@ChicagoCubsHQ) February 23, 2021
This is a rare sight as Ian Happ smiled during a segment on Marquee Sports Network:
Breaking: @ihapp_1 smiled ??@MillerLite | https://t.co/t7BxcZez25 pic.twitter.com/DxvkDQLRkM
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) February 23, 2021
Ian Happ had a breakout season in 2020 and should be even better in 2021. Check out some highlights below:
Ian Happ ???????? ranks in 2020
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) February 23, 2021
Hits - 1st
Doubles - 1st
Home Runs - 1st
Extra Base Hits - 1st pic.twitter.com/HXKVst5UL6
I had never seen this rare throwback box score. It is of Sandy Koufax's perfect game against the Cubs on Sept. 9th, 1965.
Really cool throwback passed on to me by @Mphelps11. pic.twitter.com/RM2hKusojT
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) February 23, 2021