Chicago -
By Steve Rhodes
One in an occasional series tracking the movements of those who have worn Cubbie blue.
1. Jason Hammel.
The Cubs just saw their former starter in the Royals series coming out of the bullpen, where he has languished since being dropped from the rotation last month. Hammel clearly had his best years with the Cubs over two separate stints. Now he may not be long for this league.
Posted on August 9, 2018
Invented The Helmet, The Curved Stick And Sugar Pucks
“A legend died Tuesday,” Steve Rosenbloom writes for the Tribune.
“Stan Mikita suffered from dementia for several years, so his death at 78 was not unexpected, just delayed.
“But the imprint the wondrously talented Blackhawks center left on hockey as a player and an innovator will live forever.”
Indeed. Let’s take a look.
Posted on August 8, 2018
By The NBA and MGM
NEW YORK and LAS VEGAS – MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today a new multi-year partnership that will make MGM Resorts the official gaming partner of the NBA and WNBA. The announcement was made this afternoon by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and MGM Resorts International Chairman & CEO Jim Murren in New York City.
This historic partnership will bring millions of NBA fans and MGM Resorts guests together through an innovative collaboration that will open new and exciting opportunities to engage with each other’s world-class brands and products. The partnership is the NBA’s first with a sports betting operator in the U.S. and is the first of its kind between MGM Resorts and a major professional sports league.
Posted on August 7, 2018
By Roger Wallenstein
Jim Thome, who played parts of four seasons for the White Sox, was rightfully inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame on last week along with his 612 career home runs. You even can get a Jim Thome bobblehead if you show up early enough at The Grate on Saturday.
However, another member of the White Sox organization, one who spent 41 years on the South Side, entered a far more esoteric hallowed hall a week earlier minus the fanfare and publicity that accompanied Thome. That would be Nancy Faust, who entertained fans with her organ playing at Comiskey Park and then across 35th Street from 1970 through the 2010 season.
Posted on August 6, 2018
By Jim Coffman and Steve Rhodes
Win big, lose ugly.
Plus: It’s Time, White Sox.
And: Hall Of Bears Mirrors.
Posted on August 3, 2018
By Steve Rhodes
One in an occasional series tracking the movements of those who have worn Cubbie blue.
1. Daniel Poncedeleon.
Poncedeleon made his major league debut for the Cardinals on July 24th against the Cubs, which was notable for two reasons:
First, the Cubs drafted him in the 14th round in 2013, but “he failed his physical due to concerns about nerve placement in his elbow.” He had already been drafted by the Rays and Reds in 2010 and 2012, but didn’t sign with either team. The Cardinals then picked him in 2014 and he finally signed and stuck.
Second, this:
“He suffered a fractured skull in May 2017 while pitching for Triple-A Memphis when Cubs prospect Victor Caratini struck Poncedeleon in the right temple with a line drive, requiring emergency brain surgery. He missed the rest of the season and now wears a carbon fiber insert in his cap. (For more on his remarkable comeback, check out Joe Trezza’s story at MLB.com from spring training.)”
Posted on August 2, 2018
