It’s Tuesday night here at BCB After Dark: the grooviest spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Thank you for stopping in. There’s no cover charge. The dress code is casual. We’ve still got a few tables available. The hostess will seat you now. Bring your own beverage
BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.
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Last night I asked you to grade Craig Counsell’s job as manager. I said over his entire tenure because I think it’s hard to not give him an “A” for this year unless you’re a complete curmudgeon. Also, because I think 35 games is too small of a sample size in baseball to judge anything. With that in mind, 47 percent gave Counsell an “A” and 46 percent gave him a “B.” The rest gave him a “C” and not even one single person voted “D” or “F.”
Honestly, that’s about as good an endorsement as a manager can get from the fans in the stands without winning a World Series.
On Tuesdays I don’t do any movie stuff, but there’s always time for jazz. You can skip it if you want.
Tonight we’re taking a visit to Brazil as the legendary Antonio Carlos “Tom” Jobim plays some of his bossa nova classics “One Note Samba” and “Desafinado.”
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This is from 1964.
Welcome back to everyone who skips all that jazz.
The Cubs got their first walk-off home run of the year last night from an unlikely source—pinch-hitter Michael Conforto.
That was a big home run, obviously. But was it the best? Was it your favorite? Was it the one that made you yell so loud you woke the neighbors? Or was there another one that had your family check in on you to make sure you were OK?
I’ve picked six home runs that I think are candidates for the best Cubs home run of the year (so far). I only picked home runs from wins. Then I looked at home runs with a high Win Probability Added. I didn’t go exclusively with that because there were some that maybe didn’t look big at the moment but turned out to be big in the end. (Happ’s home run is like that.) Maybe you would have another list, but I’m the one here writing the article. You can vote for “other” if you have another candidate.
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To refresh your memory, here are the candidates.
Carson Kelly’s 3-run pinch-hit home run vs the Mets on April 18 [VIDEO]. Kelly’s home run broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning. The Cubs went on to win 4-2.
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Seiya Suzuki’s solo home run against the Phillies on April 23 [VIDEO]. The home run gave the Cubs an 7-6 lead in the bottom of the eighth. It was spoiled a bit by Caleb Thielbar giving up a home run in the top of the ninth and blowing the save, but the Cubs would win in extra innings to sweep the Phillies and win their ninth straight.
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Dansby Swanson’s two-run home run in the top of the ninth versus the Dodgers on April 24 [VIDEO]. This was a big one. The Cubs trailed this game 4-0 until they scored three in the seventh, one in the eighth and took the lead for good on Swanson’s homer. The win was the Cubs’ tenth-straight.
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Matt Shaw’s solo home run versus the Padres on April 29 [VIDEO]. The Cubs were beating the Padres 4-3 in the top of the eighth. It turned out to be a huge insurance run after the Padres clawed back another run in the bottom of the inning. The Cubs would go on to win 5-4.
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Ian Happ’s solo home run against the Diamondbacks on May 2 [VIDEO]. The wind was blowing in on this one and neither team could manage much offense. It looked like the Cubs were going to win this game 1-0 until they scored an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. They ended up winning 2-0.
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And finally, Conforto’s walk-off home run from last night [VIDEO].
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So now it’s time to vote.
Thanks for stopping by. Please get home safely. We want to have you as a customer for a long time. Recycle any cans and bottles. Check around for any personal items. Tip your waitstaff. And join us again tomorrow night for more BCB After Dark.
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