Willson Contreras
FILE - Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Will Craig, right, tosses the ball to catcher Michael Perez, left, after Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez (9) hit a fielder's choice third to first and was caught in a rundown between home a first during the third inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, May 27, 2021. Cub's Willson Contreras, top center, scores on the play and Báez reached second on an errant throw by Pirates' catcher Perez. In a totally forgettable season for the Chicago Cubs, Baez wins the Newby award for best baserunning. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Cubs at Pirates 5/27/2021

Dec. 31, 2021 02:58 AM EST

FILE - Atlanta Braves' Hank Aaron is seen, March 1967. Aaron made history with one swing of his bat. A year later and on the other side of Georgia, Lee Elder made history with one swing of his driver. Their deaths in 2021 were mourned beyond the sports world and were reminders of the hate, hardships and obstacles they endured with dignity on their way to breaking records and barriers. (AP Photo, File)
Column: Another socially distanced Newby Awards for 2021

By Paul Newberry Dec. 31, 2021 02:55 AM EST

Washington Nationals' Juan Soto, left, celebrates after hitting a solo home run as Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras looks to the field during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Wednesday, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Soto hits scoreboard, Scherzer wins again, Nats top Cubs 4-3

By Matt Carlson May. 19, 2021 11:51 PM EDT

Chicago Cubs' David Bote celebrates while rounding second base after hitting a three-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Saturday, April 17, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Bryant, Contreras lead Cubs over Braves in Kazmar's return

By Sarah Trotto Apr. 17, 2021 08:22 PM EDT

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (53) throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Wednesday, April 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Cain 2 HRs, Woodruff sharp, Brewers beat Cubs 4-2 in 10

By Matt Carlson Apr. 07, 2021 07:16 PM EDT

Milwaukee Brewers' Omar Narvaez runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, April 5, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Contreras, Báez, Bote HRs lift Cubs over Brewers 5-3

Apr. 05, 2021 10:43 PM EDT

Pittsburgh Pirates' Ke'Bryan Hayes (13) watches his two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Thursday, April 1, 2021, on opening day at Wrigley Field in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Hayes homers, Pirates 2-hit Cubs 5-3 on chilly opening day

By Jay Cohen Apr. 01, 2021 06:34 PM EDT

Cincinnati Reds' Tucker Barnhart, right, watches a single hit by Reds' Mark Payton get past Seattle Mariners third baseman Jantzen Witte (67) during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 29, 2021, in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Rizzo ends talks; Odor getting cut; restrictions to loosen

Mar. 29, 2021 07:00 PM EDT

Chicago Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Monday, Sept. 7, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Hendricks goes 8 innings, Cubs beat Cardinals 5-1

By Andrew Seligman Sep. 07, 2020 07:20 PM EDT

St. Louis Cardinals' Brad Miller (15) hits a home run during the fourth inning of Game 2 of a baseball doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs, Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Bote, Cubs rally past Cardinals 5-4 for doubleheader split

By Jay Cohen Aug. 17, 2020 11:50 PM EDT

Chicago Cubs' Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates with teammates after the Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 8-7 in a baseball game in Cincinnati, Monday, July 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Rizzo homers again, Cubs beat virus-unsettled Reds 8-7

By Joe Kay Jul. 28, 2020 01:02 AM EDT

Chicago Cubs starter Yu Darvish delivers a pitch during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, July 25, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Yelich, Smoak homer, tempers flare as Brewers beat Cubs 8-3

By Matt Carlson Jul. 25, 2020 06:11 PM EDT

Wrigley Field is viewed from nearby rooftop before an opening day baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers in Chicago, Friday, July 24, 2020, in Chicago. For fans looking to see major league baseball live during the coronavirus pandemic, there are few options besides the rooftops along Waveland and Sheffield Avenues. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
In pandemic year, Wrigley Rooftops give rare opportunity

By Andrew Seligman Jul. 25, 2020 05:40 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 5, 2020, file photo, New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton bats during summer baseball training at Yankee Stadium in New York. Nothing changes the New York Yankees' mission, not the novel coronavirus, not a 60-game regular season. Winning the World Series is the sole focus. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Major league teams try to ramp up the competition in camp

By Steven Wine Jul. 14, 2020 12:04 AM EDT

FILE - In this July 31, 2019, file photo, Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel celebrates after striking out St. Louis Cardinals' Yairo Munoz for the final out of a baseball game in St. Louis. The 32-year-old Kimbrel is looking to bounce back from one of the worst stretches of his stellar career. The seven-time All-Star closer never looked right after he got a late start last year, going 0-4 with a career-high 6.53 ERA and three blown saves in 16 chances. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
Kimbrel looking to bounce back after tough debut with Cubs

By Jay Cohen Jul. 08, 2020 04:31 PM EDT