Merry Christmas from BCB After Dark: the jolliest gatherimg of night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all of you. Come inside and get warm. We have plenty of holiday cheer. There’s no cover charge. We still have tables available. Bring your own beverage.

BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.

Last evening, I asked you which relief pitcher you wanted under the tree. Forty-three percent of you want the Cubs to go after Tanner Scott. Another 22 percent wanted Jeff Hoffman under the tree.

Here’s the part where I talk about music and movies. You’re free to skip that part if you want. Merry Christmas.

To celebrate the holiday, we have the Wynton Marsalis Big Band playing “Jingle Bells.”

I’m not going to start the next contest in our BCB Winter Hitchcock Classic this evening. For one, it’s the holiday and a lot of you are out celebrating. Also, I badly burned my left hand making Christmas dinner and I’m typing this with one hand. I don’t think I could finish two full essays before sometime tomorrow with just one hand.

So tonight, I’m just going to ask you for your favorite Christmas movies. In the classic category, I love Christmas in Connecticut and The Shop Around the Corner. In the modern category, the cynic in me loves Bad Santa.

Welcome back to those who skip the music and movies.

I’m going to keep this brief because of my injured left hand. In honor of the recently-departed Rickey Henderson, who would have turned 66 on Christmas Day, I’m asking you for your pick to lead the Cubs in steals in 2025.

Nico Hoerner led the team last year with 31, but he may start the season on the injured list. Pete Crow-Armstrong was second with 27 in 28 fewer games than Hoerner. Dansby Swanson had 19 and Seiya Suzuki had 16 and could steal more.

Then there is Kyle Tucker, who only had 11 steals in 2024. However, he also only played 78 games last year. Tucker stole 30 in 157 games in 2023.

There is one other choice. Matt Shaw stole 21 bases in the minor leagues and it looks like he’ll have the opportunity to win the third base job in Spring Training. If he does and he keeps it, he

So who is your pick to lead the Cubs in steals in 2025?

Thank you to everyone who joined us this week. An big thanks to everyone who voted and commented. Happy Holidays. Please get home safely. Stay warm out there. Recycle any cans and bottles. Tip your waitstaff. And join Sara Sanchez tomorrow night for more BCB After Dark.