Podcast cover

Bricks Behind the Ivy

Jeff ”Candidcubs” Ragauskis
61 episodes   Last Updated: May 01, 25
Bricks Behind the Ivy is the ultimate podcast for die-hard Chicago Cubs fans, blending insightful analysis, weekly in-season recaps, and fan-focused discussions. Hosted by Jeffrey Ragauskis, the show features engaging segments like the beloved ‘Deep Thoughts with Harry Caray’ impersonations, adding humor and nostalgia. Join the vibrant ‘Brick Heads’ community for exclusive insights, and get early access to episodes through our Patreon. Tune in for in-depth coverage and fun that keeps Cubs fans connected all season long and beyond!

Episodes

In this episode of Bricks Behind the Ivy, we’re joined by Ant Ortiz, a rising voice in the MLB The Show content scene. Ant shares his baseball origin story (1:52), and then we dive into a full scouting report on MLB The Show 24 using a baseball theme: from a Single (4:28), to a Double (12:55), a Triple (24:59), and finally a Home Run (43:54). We also get the inside scoop on Ant’s creative process and his journey in building a community around the game (8:20). Whether you’re a diehard Cubs fan, a baseball gamer, or just curious how digital and real diamond worlds intersect, this one’s for you.   Find Ant Ortiz's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAntOrtiz     🎥 Subscribe to your YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@bleacher_bunch_network   🏟️Looking for Bricks Behind the Ivy? ⚾️Follow Us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bricks_behind_the_ivy ⚾️Follow Candidcubs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/candidcubs ⚾️Follow BBTI on Blue Sky! - https://bsky.app/profile/bbti-pod.bsky.social 🏟️Looking for Bleacher Bunch? ⚾️ Follow us on Twitter - https://x.com/Bleacher_Bunch ⚾️Follow Us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bleacher_bunch/ ⚾️Follow on Blue Sky! - https://bsky.app/profile/bleacherbunch.bsky.social ⚾️Join our ad-free Patreon! - https://patreon.com/bleacherbunch ⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎ Welcome to the BBTI Family, Yaggy Road Roasting Company! Started by three college friends at Valparaiso University, Yaggy Road Roasting Company is a specialty boutique coffee roaster centered on ethically sourcing and meticulously roasting some of the most special coffees in the world. A lot of life’s most special moments happen over coffee, which is why Yaggy Road ensures that the coffee in your mug is as special as the moment you are experiencing. Order your Coffee Here! - https://www.yaggyroad.com/?ref=BricksBehindTheIvy ⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎Buy all of your Cubs memorabilia from Wrigleyville Sports! Shop here today! - https://www.wrigleyvillesports.com/ ⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎ #chicagocubspodcast #chicagocubspodcastyoutube #chicagocubs #BricksBehindTheIvy #bleacherbunch #CubsFanContent
This week on Bricks Behind the Ivy, we’re brewing up a hot one just like a fresh cup of Yaggy Road Roasting coffee! ☕️ 📣 First up — we’re excited to announce a new way to support the show and score some exclusive merch: Leave a review for Bricks Behind the Ivy on your favorite podcast platform, include #Brickhead in the review, and you’ll automatically be entered to become our Brick Head of the Week! The winner gets a free Bricks Behind the Ivy t-shirt, and of course, a shoutout on the show. ⏱️ Then, it’s the Yaggy Road Roasting Box Score Blitz — our 60-second Cubs recap covering the week that was on the North Side. From walk-offs to weather delays, we’ve got you caught up in a flash. 🏆 We crown our Wrigleyville Sports Player and Pitcher of the Week, spotlighting standout performances and those rising to the occasion with the Cubs battling through injuries and inconsistency. ⚾ Pat takes us back in time ...to Friday of last week...to discuss a historic showdown at Wrigley Field between the Cubs and Diamondbacks. Even after 100 years, still new history happens at Wrigley! 🚨 And with Justin Steele officially out for the year, Jeff breaks down potential arms the Cubs should be targeting to reinforce the rotation. Who can step up and keep this team contending in the NL Central? 🎥 Subscribe to your YouTube Channel -https://www.youtube.com/@bleacher_bunch_network 🏟️Looking for Bricks Behind the Ivy? ⚾️ Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/bbti_pod ⚾️Follow Us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bricks_behind_the_ivy ⚾️Follow Candidcubs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/candidcubs ⚾️Follow BBTI on Blue Sky! - https://bsky.app/profile/bbti-pod.bsky.social 🏟️Looking for Bleacher Bunch? ⚾️ Follow us on Twitter - https://x.com/Bleacher_Bunch ⚾️Follow Us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bleacher_bunch/ ⚾️Follow on Blue Sky! - https://bsky.app/profile/bleacherbunch.bsky.social ⚾️Join our ad-free Patreon! - https://patreon.com/bleacherbunch   ⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎Welcome to the BBTI Family, Yaggy Road Roasting Company! Started by three college friends at Valparaiso University, Yaggy Road Roasting Company is a specialty boutique coffee roaster centered on ethically sourcing and meticulously roasting some of the most special coffees in the world. A lot of life’s most special moments happen over coffee, which is why Yaggy Road ensures that the coffee in your mug is as special as the moment you are experiencing. Order your Coffee Here! - https://www.yaggyroad.com/?ref=BricksBehindTheIvy ⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎Buy all of your Cubs memorabilia from Wrigleyville Sports! Shop here today! - https://www.wrigleyvillesports.com/ ⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎ 
🎙️ Bricks Behind the Ivy – A Cubs podcast for Cub fans, by Cub fans.   This week, we’re joined by Greg Huss, host of Cubs On Deck, for a full rundown of the Cubs minor league system. From the raw talent in Myrtle Beach to the MLB-ready players in Iowa, Greg highlights the top names to watch at every affiliate — and what their paths to Wrigley might look like.   🚨 Minor League Affiliate Rundown: Myrtle Beach Pelicans South Bend Cubs Tennessee Smokies Iowa Cubs   Presented by: 👕 Wrigleyville Sports – Fast, custom Cubs jerseys right across from Wrigley Field. ☕ Box Score Blitz is powered by Yaggy Road Roasting Company – boutique coffee from Valpo, made as special as the moments you drink them in.   💬 Let us know: Who’s your favorite Cubs prospect right now? ⭐ Don’t forget to rate, review, and follow to help more fans find the show! 📺 Catch full episodes on The Bleacher Bunch Network on YouTube.
🎙️ Bricks Behind the Ivy – S2E13: Cubs Climb? Counsell’s Choices, Extensions, & Blitz Breakdown!   Hey hey, Brickheads! On this week’s episode of Bricks Behind the Ivy, we take you inside the latest from the Friendly Confines — including big moments from the Cubs’ week, a Box Score Blitz recap, and standout performances that earned Player and Pitcher of the Week honors.   We also talk about the big picture: 📈 What does Kyle Tucker’s extension mean for the market? 🖊️ Should the Cubs lock up Pete Crow-Armstrong now? Plus, we break down Craig Counsell’s impact, injury news, and where the Cubs stand in the NL Central race.   ☕ Box Score Blitz is fueled by Yaggy Road Roasting Company — boutique coffee from Valparaiso that brings more energy than a leadoff double.   👕 Proudly sponsored by Wrigleyville Sports, located right across from Wrigley Field — home of fast, custom Cubs jerseys made for gameday. ⏱️ Jump to a Segment:   00:04:29 – ⚾ Box Score Blitz (Powered by Yaggy Road Roasting) 00:05:47 – 🧩 Other Cubs Topics (Craig Counsell’s moves, injuries, and extension talk) 00:06:54 – 📊 Standings Update 00:14:14 – 🏆 Wrigleyville Sports Player & Pitcher of the Week     🎥 Subscribe to your YouTube Channel -https://www.youtube.com/@bleacher_bunch_network 🏟️Looking for  Bricks Behind the Ivy? ⚾️ Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/bbti_pod ⚾️Follow Us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bricks_behind_the_ivy ⚾️Follow Candidcubs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/candidcubs ⚾️Follow BBTI on Blue Sky! - https://bsky.app/profile/bbti-pod.bsky.social 🏟️Looking for Bleacher Bunch? ⚾️ Follow us on Twitter - https://x.com/Bleacher_Bunch ⚾️Follow Us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bleacher_bunch/ ⚾️Follow on Blue Sky! - https://bsky.app/profile/bleacherbunch.bsky.social ⚾️Join our ad-free Patreon! - https://patreon.com/bleacherbunch   ⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎ Welcome to the BBTI Family, Yaggy Road Roasting Company! Started by three college friends at Valparaiso University, Yaggy Road Roasting Company is a specialty boutique coffee roaster centered on ethically sourcing and meticulously roasting some of the most special coffees in the world. A lot of life’s most special moments happen over coffee, which is why Yaggy Road ensures that the coffee in your mug is as special as the moment you are experiencing.  Order your Coffee Here! - https://www.yaggyroad.com/?ref=BricksBehindTheIvy ⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎
Is the North Side starting to turn the corner? Jeff “CandidCubs” Ragauskis and Pat Eriksen break down all the latest from Wrigleyville in this episode of Bricks Behind the Ivy, your go-to Cubs podcast made for fans by fans. Brought to you by Wrigleyville Sports and Yaggy Road Roasting Company.   ⚾️ Topics include: •Are the Cubs finally heating up? •What’s clicking (or not) on offense and defense •Key takeaways from the past week •What fans should watch for next   📍 Recorded at the Wrigley Fire Bar & Grill — the heart of Cubs Country!
The Cubs’ bullpen is handing out free passes like it’s a charity event, and it’s costing them big. In this episode of Bricks Behind the Ivy, we dive into the latest bullpen meltdowns, what’s causing all these walks, and whether there’s a fix in sight. 🔥 Box Score Blitz – A lightning-fast recap of the Cubs’ latest action. 🍻 Deep Thoughts with Harry Caray – What would Harry say about all these free passes? Let’s find out! ⚾ Bullpen Breakdown – Who’s the biggest culprit? Who (if anyone) can stop the bleeding? Drop your thoughts in the comments—can the Cubs turn it around, or is this just who they are? Let’s talk Cubs baseball! 🎥 Subscribe to your YouTube Channel -https://www.youtube.com/@bleacher_bunch_network 🏟️Looking for Bricks Behind the Ivy? ⚾️ Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/bbti_pod ⚾️Follow Us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bricks_behind_the_ivy ⚾️Follow Candidcubs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/candidcubs ⚾️Follow BBTI on Blue Sky! - https://bsky.app/profile/bbti-pod.bsky.social 🏟️Looking for Bleacher Bunch? ⚾️ Follow us on Twitter - https://x.com/Bleacher_Bunch ⚾️Follow Us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bleacher_bunch/ ⚾️Follow on Blue Sky! - https://bsky.app/profile/bleacherbunch.bsky.social ⚾️Join our ad-free Patreon! - https://patreon.com/bleacherbunch ⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎ Welcome to the BBTI Family, Yaggy Road Roasting Company! Started by three college friends at Valparaiso University, Yaggy Road Roasting Company is a specialty boutique coffee roaster centered on ethically sourcing and meticulously roasting some of the most special coffees in the world. A lot of life’s most special moments happen over coffee, which is why Yaggy Road ensures that the coffee in your mug is as special as the moment you are experiencing. Order your Coffee Here! - https://www.yaggyroad.com/?ref=BricksBehindTheIvy ⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎  Buy all of your Cubs memorabilia from Wrigleyville Sports! Use code "IVY10" at checkout for 10% off! Shop here today! - https://www.wrigleyvillesports.com/ ⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎ #chicagocubspodcast #chicagocubspodcastyoutube #chicagocubs #BricksBehindTheIvy #bleacherbunch #CubsFanContent
Bricks Behind the Ivy – Cardinals Season Preview ⚾🔥 It’s time to break down the Cubs’ biggest rival – the St. Louis Cardinals! In this episode of Bricks Behind the Ivy, we analyze what’s ahead for the Redbirds in 2025. 🔹 Topics Covered: ✅ Key offseason moves and roster changes ✅ Strengths, weaknesses, and X-factors for the season ✅ How the Cardinals stack up against the Cubs ✅ Predictions for the NL Central race Will St. Louis bounce back this season, or are they set for another disappointing year? We’ve got all the insights you need! 🎧 Subscribe and join the conversation! #Cubs #Cardinals #MLB #BricksBehindTheIvy #NLCentral 🎥 Subscribe to your YouTube Channel -https://www.youtube.com/@bleacher_bunch_network 🏟️Looking for Bricks Behind the Ivy? ⚾️ Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/bbti_pod ⚾️Follow Us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bricks_behind_the_ivy ⚾️Follow Candidcubs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/candidcubs ⚾️Follow BBTI on Blue Sky! - https://bsky.app/profile/bbti-pod.bsky.social 🏟️Looking for Bleacher Bunch? ⚾️ Follow us on Twitter - https://x.com/Bleacher_Bunch ⚾️Follow Us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bleacher_bunch/ ⚾️Follow on Blue Sky! - https://bsky.app/profile/bleacherbunch.bsky.social ⚾️Join our ad-free Patreon! - https://patreon.com/bleacherbunch ⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎ Welcome to the BBTI Family, Yaggy Road Roasting Company! Started by three college friends at Valparaiso University, Yaggy Road Roasting Company is a specialty boutique coffee roaster centered on ethically sourcing and meticulously roasting some of the most special coffees in the world. A lot of life’s most special moments happen over coffee, which is why Yaggy Road ensures that the coffee in your mug is as special as the moment you are experiencing. Order your Coffee Here! - https://www.yaggyroad.com/?ref=BricksBehindTheIvy ⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎ Buy all of your Cubs memorabilia from Wrigleyville Sports! Shop here today! - https://www.wrigleyvillesports.com/ ⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎ #chicagocubspodcast #chicagocubspodcastyoutube #chicagocubs #BricksBehindTheIvy #bleacherbunch #CubsFanContent
Join us for a live and uncut episode of Bricks Behind the Ivy! 🎙️⚾ We break down the latest Chicago Cubs news, discuss the team’s future, and bring you exclusive insights from Cubs insiders.   🔹 Special Segments in This Episode: ✔️ Deep Thoughts with Harry Caray – The legendary voice of the Cubs stops by! ✔️ Firehouse Cubs Talk – Pat Eriksen joins us live from the firehouse for a unique perspective on the Cubs. ✔️ Live fan Q&A & unfiltered Cubs discussion   🎧 Subscribe for more Cubs talk! Made by Cubs fans, for Cubs fans! #Cubs #BricksBehindTheIvy   🎥 Subscribe to your YouTube Channel -https://www.youtube.com/@bleacher_bunch_network 🏟️Looking for  Bricks Behind the Ivy? ⚾️ Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/bbti_pod ⚾️Follow Us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bricks_behind_the_ivy ⚾️Follow Candidcubs on Twitter - https://twitter.com/candidcubs ⚾️Follow BBTI on Blue Sky! - https://bsky.app/profile/bbti-pod.bsky.social 🏟️Looking for Bleacher Bunch? ⚾️ Follow us on Twitter - https://x.com/Bleacher_Bunch ⚾️Follow Us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bleacher_bunch/ ⚾️Follow on Blue Sky! - https://bsky.app/profile/bleacherbunch.bsky.social ⚾️Join our ad-free Patreon! - https://patreon.com/bleacherbunch   ⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎ Welcome to the BBTI Family, Yaggy Road Roasting Company! Started by three college friends at Valparaiso University, Yaggy Road Roasting Company is a specialty boutique coffee roaster centered on ethically sourcing and meticulously roasting some of the most special coffees in the world. A lot of life’s most special moments happen over coffee, which is why Yaggy Road ensures that the coffee in your mug is as special as the moment you are experiencing.  Order your Coffee Here! - https://www.yaggyroad.com/?ref=BricksBehindTheIvy ⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎ Buy all of your Cubs memorabilia from Wrigleyville Sports! Use code "IVY10" at checkout for 10% off! Shop here today! - https://www.wrigleyvillesports.com/ ⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎⚾︎ #chicagocubspodcast #chicagocubspodcastyoutube #chicagocubs #BricksBehindTheIvy #bleacherbunch #CubsFanContent
Get ready for the Cubs’ 2025 season with a deep dive into the team’s outlook! In this episode of Bricks Behind the Ivy, special guest Cole Wright from Marquee Network joins to break down the Cubs’ NL Central chances, the Japan series, and what to expect this year. Tune in for expert insights and analysis!
Join Jeff Ragauskis, also known as CandidCubs, from Bricks Behind the Ivy, as he shares a heartfelt episode recorded live from his car. In this candid segment, Jeff opens up about recent life challenges, including facing mass layoffs and the impact on his family life. He reflects on the dual motivation behind starting Bricks Behind the Ivy - his profound love for the Cubs and the aspiration for financial stability through a community-driven podcast. Jeff passionately discusses his journey with mental health, his son's autism diagnosis, and the shared struggles in today's challenging economic climate. He emphasizes the importance of empathy, understanding, and breaking away from traditional molds in education and parenthood. As he navigates through periods of anxiety, depression, and self-discovery, Jeff contemplates the future of his podcast and the diverse experiences and connections he's made within the Cubs community. Amidst contemplating the pressures of maintaining the podcast, Jeff shares his aspirations, anecdotes, and personal growth. With transparency and sincerity, he invites listeners to support and connect through these times of transition, highlighting an upcoming episode featuring a positive outlook on the Cubs season with guest Cole Wright.