Pete Crow-Armstrong's popularity SKYROCKETS for Chicago Cubs

We tell you who the most popular Cubs are. You are locked on Cubs. Your daily Chicago Cubs podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your team every day. You are locked on Cubs. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Now the number one sports podcast network. We are your team every day. Alongside Sam Olber. I'm Matt Cozy. Sam and I are lifelong fans. Taking our passion into a discussion with you. On all things Cubs. Later in the show some trivia and history. As we get closer to opening day. Many news and notes. Nuggets and tidbits. Including another minor league signing for the Cubs. Updated projected roster. A little bit of WBC news. And prospect news. And we start with Q ratings. Of current Cubs players entering the 2026 season. Q rating meaning the measure of familiarity and likability. In our case for this episode. Most popular, visible, likable Cubs. However you want to put it. We each have five names in front of us Sam. And it was encouraging that. Yes it was. Can I say something before we start? It was encouraging that it took me a little bit of time to do it. There's an elephant in the room. That's taken up my whole space. And it's your shirt. What is it? And the whole situation. Can you explain what's going on? Did you just come from one of those delayed work Christmas parties? Well this shirt is what I wore to work today. And then I didn't. Like I normally do before our recordings here in the offseason. Even though the school day ends and we record. It's only been about 90 minutes. But usually I do change my clothes. But I decided to keep my work shirt on. I probably could have obviously changed it. I'm home. But I didn't. And you have a virtual background on YouTube. Right. I am testing a temporary recording location. Still from my home. But just on the other side when the baby is sleeping. Well happy holidays. But okay. I cut you off. But you said exactly what I was going to say. It was very fun to think about this. Because there was a lot of choices. And when there's a lot of choices. That usually means that the team is somewhat good. And the other part that I liked it is that there was a clear number one. So there's a clear number one with a lot of choices. And I know people are rolling their eyes. Especially the analytic crew here. How did the analytics treat Sean Payton and the Broncos yesterday? No feel. No context. Not good. Take the points with the backup quarterback. Luckily they covered. Anyway. It's fun when you have a lot of players. You and I used to talk about this sometimes. And I know Nick and I did too. Where we'd go to the game a couple years ago. And you still primarily only would see Rizzo. Baez. Bryant. Schwarber. Lester. And I think this year you're going to start to see. For jerseys. Yeah you're going to start to see a lot more different. A lot more current guys being represented. And you know it's starting to shift into a little bit of a different era. Now the irony is that a lot of these guys on this list. Might not be on the team after this year. But why don't we just go. Let me let me say this before we we name these guys. I didn't have Bregman in my top five. Because he hasn't he's not a cub yet. Like he hasn't played a game yet. Like clearly he's he's very high up. Because he's new. I don't to me that defeated the purpose of the exercise. I more wanted to see. Like after the you know these last few years. Like who are the who are the main cubs. So for me like Bregman. Obviously would probably be in the top three probably. But because he hasn't played a game with a cub yet. I don't have him in mind. I just want to start with that. All right well let's just let's go five to one then. Because I did end up putting Bregman fifth. Okay. He is one of the more visible players in baseball. He's playing in the WBC. And I think the four people ahead of him. You'd be like oh well they should be ahead of him. So therefore he shouldn't be like second or third or even fourth. But yeah I just think his visibility is is it was too high to ignore for me. Yeah it is. And I think once we see him on February 11th. You know even just taking a grounder. I think that you know that's going to change anyway. And and quite frankly at Cubs convention. We I saw a couple jerseys. So yeah I know I did end up putting them fit. Like who did you have fifth. No so I would if we're actually counting Bregman. I actually think he's in the top three already. Because he's such a popular name. I just didn't like I said. I just I wanted to talk more about the the incumbents. Fifth I had Dansby Swanson. Okay. Reason being. I think he's much more popular nationally than he is to actual die hard Cub fans. I actually thought about putting a friend of the show. Justin Steele in the five spot ahead of him. Just because I literally don't go 48 hours without somebody messaging me. Being like hey so when Steele coming back. Hey anything with Steele anything with Steele. And for Steele to miss the whole year and still get that kind of love. I think I think Dansby is more popular. Because he's he's he's more national. He's he's married to an outstanding soccer player. And he you know he won a championship with the Braves. Number one overall pick this and that. I actually don't think in Cubs world with the diehards. He's like super super super popular. That's just my take. Yeah with the diehards. That's a really unique perspective. And I don't I can't disagree with it. I do think with the casual fan. He's yeah he's popular for sure. And that paired with all the reasons you mentioned. I actually had Dansby second. Yeah I get it. I get it. I'm I'm looking at kids. A lot of kids are wearing his stuff and referencing him. And 100 percent. And and this isn't really like I'm looking at this more from like me. Like how I would view it. You know what I mean. So it's like you know if we're going to put kids in it. Then Dansby second you're 100 percent right. He probably is the second most popular. Did you have Steele on your list. No I didn't. He didn't make it. I have him fourth. Oh you do. I had an honorable mention six. Okay fourth. I had Ian Happ. Yeah I. He was six for me. I just think Happ is. It's his 10th year this year. Wow. It's just a lot of years playing. Yeah that's a lot. Name team. So I had Coffee Company. Podcast. Right. And again I think Happ is. The one thing I've learned about Ian. Is that he. He really is. Has a terrific personality off the field. Like he's very funny. And he's very witty. You just didn't get a chance to see it. Because that's not how he is as a player. So I I will give him that. And so I had him for. Yeah it was it was tough to leave him out. But. I can see why he should be in. I just think he lacks like that next level step of. Like the visibility element. Yeah he's not a star. Yeah and. If if Bregman is is high for you as number two. I do wonder if we have the same number three. I have Michael Bush. Who do you have three? Niko Horowitz. Oh no no no no no no no no. I forgot that I don't have. I don't have Bregman. I'm I'm I'm so sorry. Right right. Yeah yeah yeah. So so no no. I have. Because Bregman's out of my list. I have Bush third. Okay see I. I think it's going to be great when he gets that level. I don't think he's anywhere close to that. Right. So here's why I have him third. It's anticipatory. I think he's going to have a really big year again. I think he's likable. He had a great postseason. And I I really do believe. That I have underrated him. As a as a player. And I I I think the fans like him. And I think there's a chance. So I put him third. Yeah I think for something like that to happen for me. He'd have to make an all-star game. Yeah no you're right. You're right. Your list is better than mine. There's no question about it. Let's do. Let's let's do. Let's let's tease the top two and come back. Yeah Niko's entering his eighth year. He's going to be someone you hear about. And then man the guy that's number one is. It's nice. It's nice to have that as a fan. And we get to that next. This episode is brought to you by a FanDuel. It's the last call for football on FanDuel. One final Sunday. One last kickoff. The final chance to get into the action before the NFL season officially comes to a close. This is Super Bowl 60. And FanDuel is making sure you're right in the middle of it with a special offer. Just in time for the biggest game of the year. Seattle opened up at three and a half on FanDuel. I jumped all over it. It's now four and a half. They're the better football team. I really am a little bit annoyed at this Patriots run. The Broncos did cover thankfully yesterday. I think Seattle's worthy Super Bowl champions. And I think they get it done in a couple of weeks. If you're a new customer, bet just five bucks. And get $200 in bonus bets if you win. Make it count. Because after the Super Bowl, the season is over. Last call for football on FanDuel. An official sportsbook partner of Super Bowl 60. Visit FanDuel.com to get started. Thank you for making Lockdown Cubs your first listen of the day. Thank you for making Lockdown the number one sports podcast network. You already live your team every day. And I'll take it up a level and go ad-free. Join the everydayer club today and get Lockdown Cubs with no interruptions. All for just $5 a month or $50 a year. Go to lockdowncubs.supercast.com or check the link in this episode description. Well, our top five list of Cubs and Q rating. Measure of familiarity, likability, entering the 26th season. And Sam with a unique list. No, no. So I have Nico 2. Okay. And I have Pete 1. So I got Pete 1, Nico 2, Bush 3, Ian 4, Dansby 5. That's my top five. Honorable mention goes to Steele. And Bregman just hasn't played a game in a Cub uniform yet. All right. Well, yeah, that's a good summation of how you viewed it. I would have liked to put Horner ahead of Dansby. I just the branding. I'm missing the branding with Nico. Nico's baseball brand from 705 to the 27th out is incredible. But beyond the diamond, he's just not at the Dansby level. And maybe he will be. Maybe he will be, especially if he stays here. It's going to be hard to do that. If he becomes a giant, that's going to be hard to reboot that. But if he stays here, he's got a real shot to be a clear, clear number two. You did this exercise correctly. I did this exercise more from a podcasting lens. Who's likable on the diamond? Who do fans look at? To me, the way I looked at it is I didn't look at it. And again, I think I looked at it wrong. I didn't look at it like Dansby's national presence as much as like when he comes up with a couple of guys on fans are like, oh, here we go. Versus like Bush and Nico fans are like, yeah, they like those guys in those spots. Like more. I did it more of like a performance QR than a branding. But in terms of branding, you're right. Nico doesn't have the branding that that Dansby does. But Pete, I think we agreed on Pete one. Well, it's hard to believe he's entering his fourth year, but it's only his second full. Right. And Pete Crow Armstrong, a clear number one. He's a star in the game. He's, you know, a top 20 player nationally, I would say in Q rating, maybe even higher. Oh, I think he's top 10 Q rating. Top 10 for all of baseball. Yeah, I do. And he was an all star starter last year. He got mic'd up. There's the jerseys everywhere. He carries himself in his way. He's productive. And and he's he's saddled himself with the the the first biggest star in the city. But I'll more on that later this segment. Yeah. And the other two, really? Yeah. I just think, Pete, I mean, I've said this, I, you know, I believe I've said this since before his debut. He loses superstardom. Yeah, he did. And I'm not saying that to get credit. I'm just saying that in terms of like, it's just been obvious since day one, like all he needed to do was was play decent baseball. The personality, it's it's awesome. It's real. You know what I mean? It's real. He's great with the kids. He's exciting. He makes you want to he makes you want to watch the game. He makes you want to go to the game. He's a superstar, man. He's got a superstar type personality. Some guys do. Some guys don't. Sometimes, you know, there's guys like Tim Duncan or Messi that, you know, they do it on the field. And that's what makes him a superstar. And then there's guys that that do both. Or, you know, he just he just must see he's he's must see TV even in the postseason when he was really, really struggling going into that, you know, he had a really good I think he had a good game three against San Diego. Then he had the big hit in game three against the Brewers. And then if you remember, because I do, it was off Mizorowski. There was a guy on first. I want one out. It was a one one game in game five. He just missed the homer to left center field. And he and I mean, just missed it. He's the guy. He's he's got the keys. Yeah. And one other reason is not too far away. He's going to be, I think, the starting center fielder for Team USA, right? Yeah, I saw. So I saw the projected. He wasn't in the projecting started lineup, but I believe he's got to be. I think Carol was ahead of him, but I feel like Carol should play the corner. Excuse me. I thought it was going to be Judge P. Carol left to right. That's what I thought. Yeah, that's what I thought. Oh, well, maybe maybe we're maybe they added someone that I don't realize. I think he'll start. And I'm excited for that. Yeah, it's going to be awesome. So I think the first game is on a Friday night or something. Will Bregman start? I'd have to look back at the roster. I think so. Yeah. Nico should be starting to. Yeah, I think it's terrain, though, isn't it? The terrain. Yeah. Sam, what was the last time the Cubs had this big of a star? Was it from the 16 era? That's such a great question. I was thinking about that today, too. I think it's I love this individual of a star. I think it's been a long time. I love when we do shows like this because it really you have thought exercises that you could that take time during the day, make the day go by quicker. I think we're underrating how big of a star Bryant was when he first came up. I think 15, 16. Bryant was like a top five, four ish name in the sport. He was attached to Bryce Harper, right? There's comparisons there. He was the golden boy. He won rookie of the year. He won MVP. But he didn't have the buzz that that that PCA had. And then hobby for that one or two year stretch that that's that those two are very easy. Nineteen. Yeah, I think he's I think he's right around that right now. I don't I think it's OK. I think his performance has to jump up a level to be the biggest of those names. All right. I like that. So, yeah, KB, 15, 16 hobby, 18, 19. Yeah, like he's not at like the Derrick Rose level when when Rose won the MVP. I don't think he's there. No, no, no, no, no. And Chris Bryant, you know, paired with Rizzo. They had the Brizzo national commercial. Yeah, those two. Those two are kind of like a pair. Yeah. And Rizzo was big, too, man. Like Rizzo, he wasn't as big nationally, but locally, like right now, I think locally, he's still the biggest star from that team. Yeah, I think he's taking that spot. Do you remember the commercial with Chris Bryant? Yes. And Greg Maddox? Oh, yeah, yeah. I actually watched the whole the Red Bull thing. Yeah. Was it classic where Maddox is disguised as a BP pitcher? Very funny. And he's like throwing his whole arsenal. KB is like, this guy's pretty good. Yeah, yeah. So good. I had one other PCA known. Oh, Sam, it's been it's been really cool that he's been he's befriended. I think so. And I think to me that did influence it didn't influence my rating just because he was he there was no higher he could go. Right. But the fact that the two biggest stars in the city have aligned with the dark. I don't really remember something like this happening. Yeah, there's some pictures in the mid 80s of Walter Jordan. That's really cool. But I don't think they were ever like they weren't going out in public together. Yeah, like this. But yeah, 100%. I mean, I think they were got a bigger ovation. They got a bigger ovation than the the action in the game at the Hawks game last weekend. Yeah, I think Bedard. Again, I don't follow hockey, but I think Bedard's in that trio, too. I think they're all three. I think pretty good. Yeah, he'd be third. I think they're pretty good friends. Oh, Bedard is hanging out with them. I think I think they're all supporting each other. Yes. Oh, yeah. Yeah, it's a cool thing. Yeah. And I think those are the three biggest, biggest stars in the city right now. I think some hockey people would probably tell you Bedard's ahead of Pete. But that's not for me to decide. Do the Bulls have someone in their neighborhood? Not even close, right? No, no. That's disappointing. Hopefully they do one again. They got some really good trade pieces. You think they should trade everyone? I do. I owe the sumo man. That guy, that guy has turned out to be a heck of an NBA player. Coming up next, we have a bunch of news and notes, including the Cubs signing outfielder Dylan Carlson. And it's not Montgomery. We're back here on Lockdown Cubs. Yeah, Colson Montgomery was in the MLB Network Top 100. And listen, very fun prospect, excited for the Sox to have something to root for. But, you know, let's not overdo it. The Cubs agreed to terms with outfielder Dylan Carlson on Monday to a minor league deal. This only a few days after they signed Chaz McCormick to the same deal. We outlined that on Monday's episode. So even more competition now for the forked outfielder job. Sam, I remember when Dylan Carlson pretty much got every day time with the Cardinals. Matt, I could be totally wrong on this. And if I because I really didn't, I don't know for a fact. But and if I'm wrong, Cardinal fans, I apologize. I'm almost positive he was like a holdup in a big trade for them once upon a time. He was a top prospect. Yeah, they were looking for like maybe it was Soto or somebody big. I remember and he was like a holdup for them. And yeah, I mean, we've competed against him for years. So, you know, familiar with his game and love what the Cubs are doing, adding depth. Yeah. And it's going to be a competitive landscape. And that's what excites me about spring training. Like I'm going to keep track of all the relievers. And then I'm going to keep track of this fourth outfielder thing. And for me, that's enough. That'll be fun. Yeah. I mean, Carlson, you know, I don't know how to judge these guys that were good a couple years ago that are coming off bad years. But now you're taking you're dramatically taking the everyday part of their title off. So will that bring them more success? And, you know, are you just looking for veteran leadership from that regard and things like that? I do wonder if there's going to be somebody in the clubhouse like Justin Turner was for Pete last year, you know, because that is I mean, Bregman now becomes the clear leader of this team. It feels like without without really the comedic effect. Yeah. And without playing a game, you know? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. You know what I mean? Like he hasn't been on been on the Cubs. So it's like, you know, you have guys like Ian, you have guys like Dan, you have guys like Nico. But as you mentioned, especially with Nico, like, you know, my point I'm trying to make is with this veteran like Carlson, can he provide any of that? Could would, you know, would any of these guys provide any of that? We don't know, you know? Yeah. And I wonder recently if the Cubs need a Kevin Millar, Ryan Dempster, Justin Turner type. I don't with this group, the names that you just listed and Horner being, if not by words, then definitely by actions. I don't think they need to pursue that. I don't think they need a Millar, Dempster, Turner. I think they need somebody to be that, though. Like, I think like Bregman, because because you heard in the press conference how much they they praise Bregman's leadership. So like he he needs to lead that. You know what I mean? Like there needs to be a guy like when I look at Philadelphia, for example. Like I just you have Harper and you have Schwarber. And I just think those two guys off the field are like, guys, we're going to be there when it matters most. You know, let's just keep you know what I mean? Something like that. And I just think I think you do. I think you have that with Bregman. I think you have that to a lesser extent with Dansby. And now for the first time, because we always used to talk about half, but half really as as one of the main guys never won anything. Now half has a three run home run off Freddie Peralta in the postseason under his belt and a playoff, a playoff run. You have some you have some veterans for sure. Yeah. And non-roster invitees to spring training should officially be announced this week. And if not, definitely next. Which which don't sleep on because remember the name Brad Keller? Totally. Seiya Suzuki is playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic. Still no word on Shota Imanaga. World Baseball Classic starts March 5th ish. I believe on the Fox family of networks. And Seiya was unavailable three years ago when this was for the WBC due to injury. So good to see him. MLB pipeline top 100 prospects included Jackson Wiggins and Moises Ballesteros. The athletics top 100 didn't have Wiggins had Kevin Alcantara Ballesteros and Jefferson Rojas. Well, as of this recording here on Monday, January 26, we're two months from opening day on March 26. So connected to that, Sam, I wanted to ask you, there have been 10 in the last 15 years since the 2011 season. There have been 10 opening day leadoff men. Please name the 10 leadoff men. OK, I need you to repeat the question. In the last 15 years, there's been 10 opening day leadoff men, meaning some of these dudes repeated years. Got it. OK, ultimately, there's 10 total names as usual. Brilliant question. OK, leadoff hitters. So in half. Yes, he did it one, two, three, four times. Did Rafael Ortega lead off? Yes, he did to lead off the dismal 2022 campaign, although they were good down the stretch that year, like the last three. And you said the last 50, you said 15 years, right? Yes, since 2011 season. OK, Schwarber. Correct. 2017. OK, I don't ever recall like I'm trying to think of the oh, David DeJesus. Yep, 12 and 13. And then he went on to really struggle in the pre and post with Cab. Go ahead. So he was 12 and 13. I didn't realize he was on the 13 team. Did Emilio Bonifacio do it in 14? Yes, he did. Emilio Bonifacio. Um, oh, I got all the hard ones. I'm trying to think who led off and like, oh, my gosh, Dexter Fowler. 15 and 16. How many am I missing? You have four left. 11, 19, 20 and 23. Yes. Oh, boy. 23. I remember the game. They were they were at home against Corbin Burns, right? The Brewers. And they and they and they won the game. Um, OK, wasn't Hosmer. He's come up today. Oh, Nico. Yes. Uh, OK. Need to be batted second. I thought he let off for some reason, but it was Nico one. Dan's me too. OK, it was 19. That was the weird year. They started Zagunas, if I remember correctly. Oh, I think that's right. Was 19 Zobrist. Is that your final answer? Yes. No. Uh, 19. It wasn't Rizzo. Centerfield. Albert Amora let off the season. Correct. Oh, that's maybe foreshadowing. All right. Hold on. I got it. I got to do 11. That's 11 and 20. I think you got 20, right? I remember being there at also against the Brewers to restart the season in July. We were at. Don't worry for that. We were at we were together. Nick. We were at V's old apartment. Yeah. That's Nick's wife for people. Yes, the insiders. I thought I thought it was Schwarber. Oh, they let off Bryant. That's right. And then 11. So I like the 11 team folks is like my golden age of baseball. Like I like I was obsessed with the like that was the summer going into my senior year of high school. Like I was obsessed with Starland Castro and I can't remember. Was it Fukudome? It was. Nice job. I think that must have been his last year, but I'm not positive. Yeah, because that team had, I think, Marlon Bird on it. It had Soriano on it. It had Starland on it. It was pre Rizzo. You know, that team had Carlos Pena on it. That was a bad team. Nice job with the trivia, Sam. And we will be back on Thursday. What a great question, by the way. My gosh, I thought that was a great show. That was one of your best questions. Thank you. Did I? Maybe we'll do. Should we do more opening day themed ones? I mean, there's many Tuesdays left, though. I can't believe Zobrist never let off. Yeah. How about that? Yeah, right. Not for opening day. Thank you for making lockdown your first listen. 2020 was of the day for those on video. We send you to the 24 7 National Lockdown Podcast Network YouTube channel and on audio. Make sure your second listen is Lockdown and LV. He's Sam over. I'm Matt Cozy. This is Lockdown Cubs.