iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 15h

“He’s the Chicago Cubs.” Yes, this is literally one of the biggest problems, and why the #Cubs are good but not great.

John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 22h

In postgame comments, PCA angry at himself, Bregman calls season a “failure.” Everyone else talking about how great it is to play at Wrigley. I’ll let you decide which should be the standard.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Ranking of Cubs’ postseason disappointments, 2000-current. 1. 2008, bludgeoned by Dodgers. 2. 2018, 1-game division playoff, WC loss. 3. 2007, sweep by crappy DBacks, 4. 2020, 2 and out for the core vs Marlins 5. 2015, NLCS drubbing by Mets 6. 2025, clipped by Brewers 7. This year : DOA for wks

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Padres 4, #Cubs 2, “Exhausted” - We Cub fans are no stranger to failure in playoff series - but this just punctuated the collapse begun six weeks ago. - PCA and Bregman 0-21 in the series. - Failure prompts change. Completely outclassed. cubcavern.substack.com/p/padres-4-c...

cubcavern.substack.com

Padres 4, Cubs 1, “Exhausted”

Collapse completed.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Over/under on Mason Miller pitches? 7? I’ll take the over with 12 and three K’s.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The first pitch hack from Swanson with 2 out and the bases loaded. The dumbest team.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The gap between the #Cubs and an actual good team like the Padres and Brewers is not close. It’s a chasm.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Is that the ball hitting mitt or bat on audio before we see it on Peacock? Just an astounding stupid decision to put the WC series on streaming only.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Padres 8, #Cubs 0, “Embarrassing” - Almost nothing to say. - I tried anyway. - That is more effort than you got from your baseball team. cubcavern.substack.com/p/padres-8-c...

cubcavern.substack.com

Padres 8, Cubs 0, “Embarrassed”

No better place for a boat race than San Diego.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

“You can only imagine what’s going on in Craig Counsell’s mind during this game,” said Pat Hughes. I’ll tell you, it’s how quickly he can demand a trade or get bought out of his deal by a serious team.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Nice effort, Happ. JFC fire this guy into the sun.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

What it must be like to play to win, not hope you don’t fail.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The 2015-2020 Cubs actually prioritized makeup, moxie, personality, and culture. Sure, they used analytics, but it wasn’t everything. Jed’s #Cubs are the opposite. They look for pretty good stats and assume the aggregate will work out. What you get is this: a pretty good team.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Here comes Assad. Last time he relieved Boyd against the Padres the #Cubs led 9-2 in a game they would ultimately win 9-7. Craig is planning for tomorrow. Don’t bother.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I’m actually rooting for the no-hitter. Maybe that type of failure will prompt heads to roll.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Once again, can’t get a runner on second with no outs home. #Cubs

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Well, I’m in a hotel for work and this game is on PEACOCK so I’m just saying, #Cubs. #letsgo

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Quick preview of the #Cubs and Padres rematch at The Cub Cavern, featuring links to each of the Cubs’ 5-1 recaps during the regular season. It won’t be as easy as 23-3 this time. cubcavern.substack.com/p/cubs-vs-pa...

cubcavern.substack.com

Cubs vs. Padres, “Twilight”

Shadows longer, light dimmer, but the sun is still here.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Hello friends. I’m at @pearljam.com Ohana. SETLIST 1 Glen Hansard Tribute 2 LONG ROAD 🔥🔥🔥🔥 3 Daughter / Mediate / Throw Your Arms to Heaven 4 Why Go 5 React Respond #pearljam Give me a minute 28 years of shows, my first Long Road 🤘🙏😢 #pearljam

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Cubs 6, Red Sox 2, “Getaway” - Just Alex Bregman, returning with fractured face, setting the standard for the #Cubs - Craig must be thrilled the bullpen will be 100 percent rested Tuesday. - Recap/preview of SD will post at The Cub Cavern tomorrow. Thank you for reading.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

GAMEDAY IN IOWA CITY SEE YOU THERE!

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Can’t play safe and win. Horrible decision to kick. #iowa

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Iowa has no plan against a QB rollout, rinse, repeat. 30 years.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Yankees and Orioles also playing a doubleheader tonight due to storms, huh. The orioles must not have thrown a giant hissy fit to Baltimore media, with enough fiery quotes to light up a city.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Red Sox 2, #Cubs 0, “Demoralizing” - Just think if the Cubs *hadn’t* won yesterday’s game. - Good start by David Peterson. - This will all be over soon. cubcavern.substack.com/p/red-sox-2-...

cubcavern.substack.com

Red Sox 2, Cubs 0, “Demoralizing”

Only the Cubs could turn clinch week into a nightmare

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Please stop telling me how good the pitch actually was when we just lost another game. #Cubs

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Reposted by John Hanley

Mike Praznowski @praz.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

This is like watching Game 163 against the Brewers and the Wild Card game against the Rockies, but spread out over an entire week.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

“There’s your game 1 starter, Javier Assad” says JD after Javy strikes out Story. While he’s only sort of kidding, who knows. Might as well. Use him as an opener, but even if Sandy Koufax trots in after him, not gonna help if the offense looks like this. #Cubs

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The Cub Cavern is dejected by a return to form for a struggling #Cubs September offense. Great to see Bregman back. Go ahead and take the next two off and let’s go to Atlanta. That will also prevent Counsell from overmanaging. We’re salty. cubcavern.substack.com/p/red-sox-4-...

cubcavern.substack.com

Red Sox 4, Cubs 3, “Grumbling”

Another pack of RISP failures

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Red Sox 4, #Cubs 3, “Grumbling” - Bats strike early for 3 in the first two - only three hits the rest of the way. Again terrible with RISP. - Now Craig gets anxious with pulling starters, yanking Holmes too early for Thielbar, predictable failure. - Atlanta is close to Tampa at least.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It would not be terrible to drop to 6. Extremely frustrating today. Need to explore moving on from Nico this offseason if possible. He’s a great defensive 2B but Pedro and Shaw not much worse. He is aging and suddenly confused at plate nonstop.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Not sure what Craig expected going to Thielbar there to spell Holmes after a seeing eye grounder and tough play on a fly ball. Let’s get these Thielbar outings out of the way, regardless. #Cubs

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

The Cub Cavern looks forward only. The baseball gods will always find you, they will torment you, they will demand satisfaction. Ticket punched for #Cubs #FlytheW #PlaytheSong cubcavern.substack.com/p/cubs-2-mar...

cubcavern.substack.com

Cubs 2, Marlins 1, “Exhale”

Excruciating series salvaged, playoff ticket punched

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Cubs 2, Marlins 1, “Exhale” - Seiya Suzuki with game-tying HR, Ian Happ with leadoff triple and GW Run. Guess they don’t wanna say goodbye to Wrigley. - ✅ PCA 40/40. - Matthew Boyd 7, Danny Palencia 1, RZ sv. 💪💪💪 Excruciating series. On to next week we go.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

There is the Boyd walk, that is the tell. Don’t waste time.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Congrats to Pete on 40/40. I would like to remember this season for that, and not the most improbable collapse by a baseball team in history.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Last night’s Cub Cavern deals with the angst always percolating among #Cubs fans. The only way I slept is thinking about acceptance. By this time next week, this will likely all be over anyway for the #Cubs. cubcavern.substack.com/p/marlins-3-...

cubcavern.substack.com

Marlins 3, Cubs 2, “Angst”

Still on the doorstep, rattled, not ready.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Marlins 3, #Cubs 2, “Angst” - An overturned double play yields the winning run. - 22 left on base. This offense is stress personified. - Gausman nails. Bullpen solid. I’m not sure why Tyrone Taylor didn’t hit in the 9th to at least avoid the double play. cubcavern.substack.com/p/marlins-3-...

cubcavern.substack.com

Marlins 3, Cubs 2, “Angst”

Still on the doorstep, rattled, not ready.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I had a bad feeling about this Marlins series; they are coming off a hard luck series in San Diego. I chalked that up to my overall bad feelings about everything. #Cubs

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Marlins 8, #Cubs 2, “Derailed.” - Brutal execution all game long, 1/18 in the clutch. - Daniel Palencia throwing heat, Ryan Rolison lights-out, Shota solid. - PCA steals no. 39. More Tuesday night pain: Arizona, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Atlanta, tonight. cubcavern.substack.com/p/marlins-8-...

cubcavern.substack.com

Marlins 8, Cubs 2, “Derailed”

Wheels fall off in a 12-inning marathon

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Absolute robbery on Pedro twice tonight, but that bunt failure stings.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I’m guessing that is all for Junk and thank goodness we are likely done with him this season. Actually, nm, he’ll probably pitch in relief tomorrow.

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John Hanley @johnjhanley.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Shota has had enough of this in game interview. Pickoff! 🏀🗑️

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