It is June and the White Sox and Cubs are playing good baseball and both find themselves first in their divisions.

The Sox have responded to manager Ozzie Guillen's latest outburst and have reeled off some wins. He complained about lack of offense, well he got it with the Sox scoring 10 runs in a 10-6 win over the Twins. Unfortunately, the Sox are relying too much on the home run ball. They looked better when they played small ball back in '05. Actually, the Sox hit a lot of HR's that season too, but their style this year, is to club that ball out of the park.

This will get you into problems. What if the Sox stop hitting? Is Ozzie going to blow up?  It seems that the GM has almost had enough with this side-show.  The Manager and coaches need to do their jobs. Provide leadership, not scolding--Hitting coach Greg Walker was singled out in Guillen's last tirade. Whose turn is it next?

Continue reading "Cubs and Sox are Top of the Heap"

The Chicago Cubs find ways to win. Witness their extra-inning win over the Braves on a batter hit by pitch with the bases loaded. And, the Chicago White Sox lose on a walk-off homer. The White Sox went on a tear after manager Ozzie Guillen went on a tirade when the Sox were swept by the Devil Rays. Now, they get swept by the Tigers. The White Sox are a little too up and down for me.  It's like riding a roller coaster at Riverview, the amusement park of my youth.  It's exciting but a bit too scary.

Now, the Sox are still in first place and have turned a few heads this season. But the next month will be a test if this team is for really real. I'd love to see both teams in the playoffs. Chicago would be on its ear, and the eyes of the baseball world will have to turn to Chi-town. Usually it's in mock amusement or a short cackle. But the Cubs have a lot going for them. Even if Soriano is injured again. They can weather the absence.

Continue reading "Cubs are hot and Sox slump"

The Chicago Bears released running back Cedric Benson after a 2nd arrest on an alcohol related infraction.  Its OK by me. What did he ever do as a Bear RB?  Not too much. former Bears RB Ronnie Bull used to drive his legs through a tackle and wouldn't go down on the first hit. He ran like a Bear. The Bears need a running back who will run like a Bear.  Maybe their second round pick Forte is that guy.  They need to find out. Pretty soon we may see Devin Hester at RB. Can he be the second coming of Sayers?  I don't know, but on kick-offs and punts, he's remarkable. He can win you one or two games by himself.

The Bears need a running back. Benson didn't work out. The team needs to find someone who will. Otherwise, it will be a long, long season.

Continue reading "Benson: a Bears' Bust"

Summer is here and it's hot. And that means it is soon time for NFL, including the Chicago Bears to hit the sleds, do laps, run practice patterns, and sweat like crazy.

Sitting in my apt with the a/c running, I can't imagine working 2-3 hours in morning, take a break, and then do another 2 hours in the blazing heat. You know, these guys may earn their paychecks!  The weeding out process begins, coaches bellow, whistles blow, guys do it over. The brain and body fires up and by the end of August, after swigging tons of GatorAde and God knows what else, you have a football player. Hopefully.

I never was a fan of the pre-season. Play 2 or 3 games, make the cuts. The season tickets holders get the honor of having a seat and of having to watch pre-season "practice games."  Usually somebody gets hurt and it out for six games. Doesn't make sense. But the NFL is married to cable, and the networks and they pay the big bills.

Continue reading "Summer is here and it's about time to hit the sleds"