DETROIT — This past weekend, a friendly exchange unfolded between Chicago Cubs president Jed Hoyer and Detroit Tigers president Scott Harris, who climbed the ranks with the Cubs starting as director of baseball operations in 2012 under Hoyer. After helping the Cubs win a championship, Harris became the general manager of the San Francisco Giants before assuming his current role with the Tigers in September 2022.
On Sunday, Harris learned that the winner of the final game between the Cubs and Tigers would be honored with the imaginary “Theo Cup,” a light-hearted trophy conceptualized by a few media members, referencing the actual Vedder Cup awarded in the Padres-Mariners series. Upon hearing about this playful trophy, Harris joked, “The decisive game of the Theo Cup? Jed and I have talked, yes, but nothing worth sharing.”
Despite the cup not being real, the Tigers clinched a decisive 4-0 victory over the Cubs in their interleague matchup. There were no post-game celebrations, but fans enjoyed an entertaining series featuring notable fireworks as Cubs’ Nico Hoerner and manager Craig Counsell were both ejected during the fifth inning after Hoerner disputed a called third strike.
While the storied Yankees-Red Sox rivalry took the spotlight, the Cubs and Tigers series proved to be just as intriguing. The Cubs will now head to Philadelphia to continue their three-city road trip, facing a top-tier team that struggled recently, having lost eight of their previous nine games.
Sunday’s game showcased a compelling contest between rookie Cade Horton from the Cubs and Jack Flaherty, who recently returned to the Tigers after winning a championship with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Flaherty excelled with six shutout innings, yielding only two hits. In contrast, Horton faced difficulties, suffering his first career loss after a rocky start and yielding runs in critical moments.
The Cubs, enjoying their strongest start since 2016, have raised the bar for expectations among fans and analysts alike, with discussions of potential division titles becoming increasingly common. Cubs fans are beginning to dream bigger, spurred by recent offensive surges and enhanced bullpen performance, while manager Craig Counsell emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus on day-to-day performance.
Counsell noted, “The expectations are just playing good baseball, doing our jobs the right way and continuing to do that on a daily basis.” However, acknowledging the rising excitement among fans is something he could not ignore. Harris, on his end, maintained a competitive yet supportive relationship with Hoyer, emphasizing their mutual respect and the constructive dialogue regarding each other’s teams.
While Hoyer did not attend the games in Detroit, speculations arose on whether he was prioritizing family time or if he took the series less seriously. Harris lightheartedly remarked, “You’re more bought into the Theo Cup than Jed is.”
Regardless of the playful rivalry, Harris and Hoyer both recognize the potential for a rematch in the world series, should their two teams continue to thrive as they have thus far. The prospect of another matchup, whether in the postseason or beyond, brings a hopeful outlook for both franchises, creating excitement for what lies ahead in the 2023 season.