From Goats to Champs- A Chicago Cubs MLB 14 The Show Dynasty

[harleyhorse8]

Hello guys, harleyhorse8 coming at you with another dynasty; this one will be run on MLB 14 on the PS4 with my all-time favorite team, the Chicago Cubs.

Dynasty Info:
Difficulty: All-Star
Rosters: OSFM
Quick Counts: Off
I will not sim any games. All will be played.


I have been wanting to do a Cubs dynasty ever since 2012. They have always been my favorite team and it's pretty easy for me to choose them as my dynasty team this year. I like rebuilding projects, but this team will be a huge one because they are almost universally regarded as the worst team in the MLB. However, the team won't need a complete overhaul. Chicago has some of the most exciting young talent in baseball and I'll enjoy playing with them.

Now, Chicago native Sam Wiseman will step into the proverbial "ring of fire" as he is tasked with filling the general manager position for his hometown team. Will he lead the Cubs back to greatness or crumble under the pressure like so many before him?

New content will be coming soon, so sit back and enjoy the dynasty. It's going to be a fun ride. Please rate if you enjoyed it.

[harleyhorse8]

Breaking: Epstein Out in Chicago, Unknown Hired in Place

by Evan Ritter, Cubs Correspondent, March 25, 2014

CHICAGO- Only three years after being hailed as the best young GM in baseball and the man who would bring success back to the Chicago Cubs, Theo Epstein has been fired by the organization.

In a statement released earlier today, the organization had this to say about Epstein: "The Chicago Cubs are saddened to announce the departure of president of baseball operations Theo Epstein. He has contributed three years to this organization and we wish him the best in the future. Our current general manager, Jed Hoyer, will take the vacant position."

This created a gap in the hierarchy that most thought would take a few days to fill. However, the next part of the statement was a surprise to many fans and analysts alike, as it turns out the Cubs would not wait to appoint their new GM: "We are also pleased to appoint Sam Wiseman as the new general manager of the Chicago Cubs. We hope he can continue the traditions of this franchise and make it an enjoyable experience for players, coaches, management, and fans alike."

Wiseman, a 26-year old Chicago native, is a member of a prominent banking family. He obtained his MBA at Princeton and has worked in the Cubs organization for two years. While he was considered one of the candidates for the vacant position, he was an outside pick as most feel like there were more senior members of the organization that deserved the spot. We'll see if Wiseman can repay the faith put in him by the Cubs or not live up to expectations. Either way, however, it proves to be a memorable season for the Chicago Cubs.

Evan Ritter is a Chicago-based sports columnist who writes for both MLB.com and the Chicago Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @evan_ritter0286.

[Bluejaysfan65]

Nice writeup. I'll definitely be following.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[harleyhorse8]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bluejaysfan65

Nice writeup. I'll definitely be following. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks. Always nice to get followers.

[harleyhorse8]

Cubs release Opening Day roster

Chicago Cubs Opening Day 2014 Roster
#	PITCHERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
49	Jake Arrieta	SP	R/R	27	6'4"	225	560K
39	Jason Hammel	SP	R/R	31	6'6"	225	2.3M
36	Edwin Jackson	SP	R/R	30	6'3"	210	2.3M
50	Blake Parker	RP	R/R	28	6'3"	225	550K
18	Chris Rusin	SP	L/L	27	6'2"	195	550K
40	James Russell	RP	L/L	28	6'4"	200	920K
29	Jeff Samardzija	SP	R/R	29	6'5"	225	2.8M
46	Pedro Strop	RP	R/R	28	6'0"	220	560K
41	Jose Veras	RP	R/R	33	6'6"	240	1.6M
33	Carlos Villanueva	RP	R/R	30	6'2"	215	690K
37	Travis Wood	SP	R/L	27	5'11"	175	1.9M
53	Wesley Wright	RP	R/L	29	5'11"	185	920K
#	CATCHERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
38	John Baker	C	L/R	33	6'1"	215	550K
5	Welington Castillo	C	R/R	26	5'10"	210	580K
#	INFIELDERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
15	Darwin Barney	2B	R/R	28	5'10"	185	1.4M
13	Starlin Castro	SS	R/R	23	5'10"	190	6.4M
30	Mike Olt	3B	R/R	25	6'2"	210	710K
44	Anthony Rizzo	1B	L/L	24	6'3"	240	764K
24	Luis Valbuena	3B	L/R	28	5'10"	200	730K
#	OUTFIELDERS	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
64	Emilio Bonifacio	CF	S/R	28	5'11"	205	1.4M
51	Ryan Kalish	LF	L/L	25	6'0"	215	550K
21	Junior Lake	LF	R/R	23	6'3"	215	770K
20	Justin Ruggiano	CF	R/R	31	6'1"	210	740K
19	Nate Schierholtz	RF	L/R	30	6'2"	215	1.1M
6	Ryan Sweeney	LF	L/L	29	6'4"	225	920K
#	DESIGNATED HITTER	POS	B/T	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
20	Justin Ruggiano	CF	R/R	31	6'1"	210	740K

Cubs Coaching Staff:


Manager- Rick Renteria


Hitting Coach- Bill Mueller


Pitching Coach- Chris Bosio


1st Base Coach- Eric Hinske


3rd Base Coach- Gary Jones

ESPN.com updated April 30, 2014. Chicago Cubs is a registered trademark of Major League Baseball, Inc.

[harleyhorse8]

Gameplay is coming tomorrow, get ready!

[harleyhorse8]

Results should be coming in a few hours. Sorry, my internet is having some problems with the table generators.

[harleyhorse8]

Pirates Blow Up Cubs Bullpen; Claim Opening Day Win

By Andrew Kovalchuk, MLB.com Journalist, March 31, 2014

CHICAGO- The Chicago Cubs' season start was derailed thanks to a bullpen collapse in this game against the Pirates, which ultimately was a lot closer affair than the 6-1 scoreline would suggest. Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija came into the game with a lot to prove, as trade rumors were circulating about him all last offseason. On the other side, a Pittsburgh franchise boyed by its resurgence last season hoped to continue a rise to greatness.

The Cubs came out strong, as Samardzija fired darts from the get-go, displaying none of the accuracy troubles that sometimes affect him. He retired thirteen out of the first fourteen batters he faced, with the Pirates' sole baserunner coming after rookie third baseman Mike Olt bobbled a Russell Martin grounder. The Cubs offense also struck early, with Ryan Sweeney singling in the first. Later, in the top of the second, the Cubbies would plate their first run when catcher Welington Castillo hit a sacrifice fly to drive Anthony Rizzo home after consecutive singles from Rizzo, Nate Schierholtz, and Olt. Samardzija continued his strong showing, most notably striking out Pirates star Andrew McCutchen twice.

However, after the second inning, Pirates starter Gerrit Cole began to find a rhythm, setting down the Cubs in order in the fourth, fifth, and sixth. In the bottom of the fifth, Samardzija allowed his first hit after the Pirates' catcher Martin tripled to deep left field. The hit was partly caused by Ryan Sweeney, who misplayed the ball in left, allowing it to bounce off the palm of his glove as he attempted to scoop it up. The error would be a costly one. Gaby Sanchez's line drive to left was robbed by a Schierholtz dive, but his effort was not enough to prevent Martin from coming around, tying the game at 1-1. A visibly shaken Samardzija walked the next batter, but regained his composure enough to strike out his opposite number and have a one-two-three sixth, barring an inexplicable ball thrown into the dugout by Darwin Barney on a routine grounder to second.

With the game tied and Samardzija's pitch count approaching 100, manager Rick Renteria pulled him after giving up a double to Buccos second baseman Neil Walker. Righty Blake Parker was the first pitcher to come out of the bullpen, but he promptly gave up a single up the middle to Sanchez, putting the Pirates ahead 2-1. And it only got worse from there. After a Jordy Mercer single and a PH Jose Tabata walk, Starling Marte lined to right, scoring two runners. Parker was then taken out and replaced by lefty James Russell, but he couldn't prevent a Gregory Polanco single down the third base line, scoring Tabata. Thankfully, Russell recovered and got two outs to end the inning, but the score now stood 5-1 Pirates. The next inning, the Cubs put in Pedro Strop to see if he could curb the bleeding. Strop managed to strike out two, but gave up a home run to Walker, effectively putting the game out of reach. On the other side of the ball, reliever Jared Hughes posted two consecutive 0-0-0 innings to secure a Pirates win on Opening Day.

Games 2 and 3 of the series are on April 2nd and 3rd.

Andrew Kovalchuk is a journalist for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ItsAndyK.

Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates
Mar 31, 2014	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chicago (0-0)	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	6	2
Pittsburgh (0-0)	0	0	0	0	1	0	4	1	X	6	7	1
W: Gerrit Cole (1-0) L: Jeff Samardzija (0-1) S: N/A

Chicago Cubs
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Ruggiano, CF	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Sweeney, LF	4	0	2	0	0	0	0	.500
Castro, SS	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Rizzo, 1B	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	.250
Schierholtz, RF	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.250
Olt, 3B	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.250
Castillo, C	2	0	1	1	0	0	0	.500
Barney, 2B	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	.000
Samardzija, P	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Bonifacio, CF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
TEAM TOTALS	30	1	6	1	1	3
BATTING: RBI: Castillo (1) SF: Castillo SAC: Samardzija GIDP: Castro, Barney
FIELDING: E: Barney (1), Olt (1)

Pittsburgh Pirates
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Marte, LF	4	0	1	2	0	0	0	.250
Polanco, RF	4	0	1	1	0	0	0	.250
McCutchen, CF	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.000
Alvarez, 3B	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.000
Walker, 2B	4	2	2	1	0	0	1	.500
Martin, C	4	1	1	0	0	1	0	.250
Sanchez, 1B	3	1	1	2	0	1	0	.333
Mercer, SS	3	1	1	0	1	1	0	.333
Cole, P	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Tabata, LF	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	.000
TEAM TOTALS	32	6	7	6	2	8	1
BATTING: 2B: Walker (1) 3B: Martin (1) HR: Walker (1) RBI: Marte 2 (2), Walker (1), Sanchez 2 (2), Polanco (1) SF: Sanchez
FIELDING: E: Alvarez (1)

Chicago Cubs
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Samardzija (L, 0-1)	6.0	2	2	2	1	5	0	3.00
Parker	0.1	2	3	3	1	1	0	81.00
Villanueva	0.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Russell	0.2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Strop	1.0	1	1	1	0	2	1	9.00
TEAM TOTALS	8.0	7	6	6	2	8	1

Pittsburgh Pirates
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Cole (W, 1-0)	7.0	5	1	1	1	3	0	1.29
Hughes	2.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.00