The Shawn Mackey Show

  This week on The Shawn Mackey Show , Robert "Soup" Campbell and I tackled one of the biggest stories facing baseball today—and honestly, it has me more concerned than ever about the future of the game. The more I researched Major League Baseball's labor situation, the more convinced I became that the owners have nobody to blame but themselves. For decades they handed out massive contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and now they're acting surprised that the system isn't sustainable. We looked back at how Kevin Brown became baseball's first $100 million player before the floodgates opened. Since then, more than 150 players have crossed that milestone, and today we're seeing contracts that would have seemed impossible just twenty years ago. The biggest problem isn't necessarily paying superstars. Elite talent deserves elite money. The real issue is that average players are now receiving superstar contracts, leaving teams locked into deals th...

  As a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, I never thought I'd reach the point where I would seriously question my commitment to this team. I've been following the Cubs for 53 years, through the highs, the lows, the heartbreaks, and the unforgettable 2016 World Series championship. But after watching this team stumble through another frustrating season, I find myself asking a difficult question: Where do the Cubs go from here? The Cubs entered June needing to prove they could recover from a brutal 10-game losing streak. While they've shown flashes of life offensively and have managed a respectable month so far, the inconsistency remains impossible to ignore. One night they score 16 runs and look unstoppable. The next night they blow a 5-0 lead and lose a game they should have won comfortably. The biggest issue isn't just one player, one manager, or one bad stretch of baseball. It's an organizational problem that starts on the field and extends all the way to ownership. Craig...

  As a lifelong baseball fan, I've seen plenty of ups and downs, but what's happening with the Chicago Cubs right now is becoming increasingly difficult to watch. In this episode of The Shawn Mackey Show , I break down the Cubs' recent struggles following what looked like one of the most promising starts in baseball. After sitting at 27-12 on May 8th, the Cubs have gone into a tailspin, posting a shocking 5-17 record since then. The latest frustration came in a painful 2-1 loss to the Athletics. With runners on base in the ninth inning and the heart of the lineup due up, the Cubs once again failed to execute in a clutch situation. It's becoming a recurring theme that has many fans, myself included, asking serious questions about the team's approach. I discuss why I believe the Cubs are struggling with situational baseball, why I would have played for the tie in the ninth inning, and why manufacturing runs has become a lost art in today's game. Sometimes a bunt, ...

  As a lifelong Cubs fan and host of The Shawn Mackey Show , I’ve got to be honest — this latest Chicago Cubs collapse has me absolutely frustrated beyond belief. Watching this team drop eight straight games after TWO separate 10-game winning streaks feels like déjà vu all over again. One minute we’re talking playoffs, the next minute the offense disappears, the pitching implodes, and the coaching decisions leave me scratching my head. ⚾😡 In this episode, I break down everything that’s gone wrong with the Cubs, from Craig Counsell’s questionable lineup decisions to Jed Hoyer’s inability to truly fix the roster. I talk about why I believe this roster still has the same core issues it’s had for years and why fans are finally reaching their breaking point. The Cubs aren’t just “slumping” anymore — this feels deeper than that. I also dive into Pete Crow-Armstrong’s usage, the bullpen struggles, Ian Happ and Dansby Swanson’s disappointing performances, and why I think some major orga...

  There’s something refreshing about being able to sit down with somebody who roots for your biggest rival and actually have an intelligent conversation about baseball. That’s exactly what happened on Season 3 Episode 7 of The Shawn Mackey Show when Soup joined me again to break down the National League Central, the Chicago Cubs, the St. Louis Cardinals, and where this MLB season could be heading. As a lifelong Cubs fan, I’ll admit it — I’m frustrated. Even with the Cubs sitting near the top of the division, I still don’t fully trust this team. Last season is burned into my memory. The Cubs held the division lead deep into the summer before completely collapsing late in the year. That’s why I’m not getting overly excited yet, even during winning streaks. One of the biggest topics we discussed was Craig Counsell and some of the questionable managerial decisions being made during games that goes all the way back to 2024 . I truly believe the Cubs are winning in spite of certain move...

  I’m not even going to sugarcoat it—it’s been a minute. Life happened. And not in a small way either. What was supposed to be a routine setup to record turned into me accidentally cutting my own internet line while clearing out a patch of grass in the backyard. Yeah… you can’t make that up. That little mistake cost me an entire week of recording, and just when things got fixed, real life stepped in again. But honestly? I wouldn’t trade that time. I got to help my daughter with her film project—acting in it, editing it, being part of something creative with her. That’s the kind of stuff that matters. Now we’re back—and there’s a LOT to talk about. The Cubs: First Place… But I’ve Got Questions Let’s start with the obvious—the Cubs are sitting in first place. You love to see it. I’ll give credit where it’s due. Some people called this early, and right now, it looks like they were onto something. But I’m not fully sold on how we’re getting there. Injuries are stacking up, espec...