Chicago Sports

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Joe Goddard, a long-time baseball writer affectionately known as “Young Joe” around baseball press boxes while he covered the White Sox and Cubs for the Chicago Sun-Times, died peacefully surrounded by his family Friday. He was 85.

Goddard, who was twice nominated for induction into the writers’ wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, was a Cubs and White Sox beat writer for the Sun-Times for 27 years. He worked at the paper from 1964 to 2006.

“We called him ‘Young Joe’ because he acted young and thought young and always had that little dickens smile. He was a joy to be around, both in and out of the press box,” said Hall of Fame baseball writer Dick Kaegel, who covered the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals while Goddard was on the baseball beat for the Sun-Times.

Goddard started his career at the Indianapolis Times in 1961 and spent one year covering the Indianapolis Indians, then a Triple-A affiliate of the White Sox.

He spent nine years working on the Sun-Times copy desk before taking over the Cubs beat at the end of the 1973 season from Hall of Fame writer Edgar Munzel.

“I met Joe in the 1980s. Every baseball writer in the country knew and liked Joe,” Sun-Times sports editor Chris De Luca said. “He was a different breed from a different era. It’s hard to imagine Joe without a smile. He will be missed.”

Goddard was emotional when he received the nomination for the J.G. Taylor Spink Award in 2003.

“Everybody who is in there is an idol of mine,” Goddard said at the time of the writers’ wing. “I worked with many of those guys when I first started. I’m sort of the last of the gentlemen era, where everybody wore ties–and I did, too.”

Goddard grew up in Iverness and attended Palatine High School and DePauw University, and grew up a fan of the Cubs.

“Then the ‘Go-Go’ Sox came along [in the 1950s] and really swept me away,” he once said.

Goddard attended his final Sox game last summer with his wife, Carol and other family members as a guest of Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.

“Joe Goddard was the classic, old-time baseball beat reporter,” Reinsdorf said. “They truly don’t make them like Joe anymore. His coverage of Chicago baseball went back decades. Joe loved the game, the travel, the life, was a reporter who developed relationships across clubhouses and front offices and broke story after story, all while scribbling his notes on tightly folded pieces of paper. He will be missed and his byline always remembered.”

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Realistically, Blackhawks forward prospect Samuel Savoie is at least a couple years away from the NHL.

But he’s already mindful of the steps he needs to take — including those he can take right now — to eventually get there. In contrast to the masses of prospects who harp on taking things day-by-day and focusing solely on their current junior (or college) team, Savoie is simultaneously doing that and looking toward the future.

“The self-awareness he has to realize the type of player he is, and how he needs to play to be most effective, is good to see,” Hawks assistant general manager Mark Eaton said.

Savoie’s feisty, relentless style naturally lends itself to comparisons, and Andrew Shaw is one that has already been thrown around a lot. Even Eaton mentioned it unprompted.

But Savoie, being an 18-year-old just drafted by the Hawks in the third round last summer, thinks of Max Domi instead. He looked up to Domi at NHL training camp back in September — during which he played in two preseason games — and tried to learn from Domi’s approach.

“I took some tools from [the pro players] and some little things they do and how they act,” Savoie said. “It’s the tiny things all those pros did. They stretch; they take care of their body; they’re in the cold bath; they’re in the hot tub; they’re eating well. All that kind of stuff is really important for me, especially the way I play.

“I play super competitive with an edge, and I need a lot of fuel and energy. So to see a guy like Max Domi, the way he treats himself, [was influential]. He also needs that energy and he has been doing great. That kind of stuff he was doing, I try to bring to my game.”

It turns out Savoie made an impression on Domi, too.

“I loved that kid,” Domi said. “He worked so hard every shift. I really enjoyed getting to know him. … He’s pretty fearless out there, and he can shoot a puck, too. He’s going to have a great career.”

Domi does indeed place a heavy emphasis on taking care of his body at all times — be it before or after a practice or game, or even at home on an off-day — so Savoie picked a good role model for that.

Savoie’s forward-looking mindset doesn’t seem to be detracting from his current play, either.

In his third season of Canadian junior hockey, playing for the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques, his production has surged from 33 points in 64 games last season to 50 points in 44 games this season (entering Saturday).

November represented his true breakout month: he tallied at least one point in all 11 games during it, accumulating 19 total. He also, more recently, enjoyed a five-point game on Feb. 4.

“This year is to show what I’m all about — to show I can be an edgy guy, a guy that hits and all that, but I can also play on the top lines and score goals,” he said. “I’ve gotten a lot of chances, and my teammates are really helping me with that. I’ve been doing really good. It’s more [about having] confidence, the poise of making plays.”

On the Hawks’ side, development coaches Erik Condra and Kendall Coyne Schofield have worked most closely with Savoie, but Eaton has also been impressed.

“The sheer skating ability, power to his stride, the competitiveness and the energy he brings day-in and day-out, it’s contagious and made an immediate impression on everyone in Chicago,” Eaton said. “Every time you watch him play in the ‘Q,’ he brings that.

“He has a great sense of who he is, what he brings to the table and how he can most positively impact the game.”

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Saturday, February 18, 2023

NON CONFERENCE

Don Bosco at Lake Forest Academy, 5:00

IHSA STATE TOURNAMENT – 4A

(Regional – Quarter-Final)

BARRINGTON SECTIONAL

Warren

Round Lake at Zion-Benton, 1:00

NEW TRIER SECTIONAL

Niles North

Elk Grove at Maine West, 1:00

BARTLETT SECTIONAL

West Chicago

West Chicago at Glenbard East, 1:00

JEFFERSON SECTIONAL

Hononegah

Hononegah at Harlem, 7:00

Streamwood

Streamwood at Elgin, 1:00

ST. RITA SECTIONAL

Rich

Reavis at Shepard, 5:00

Eisenhower

Hubbard at Eisenhower, 2:00

HINSDALE CENTRAL

Oak Park-River Forest

Juarez at Argo, 1:00

Lane

Kelly at Proviso West, 2:00

BOLINGBROOK SECTIONAL

Joliet West

Plainfield Central at Joliet Central, 4:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

IHSA STATE TOURNAMENT – 3A

(Regional – Quarter-Final)

DE LA SALLE SECTIONAL

Schurz

ITW-Speer at Pritzker, 8:30a

GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL SECTIONAL

Lake Forest

Senn at North Chicago, 4:30

Lakes

Northtown at Northside, 5:30

Deerfield

Mather at Amundsen, 1:00

HILLCREST SECTIONAL

Brooks

Washington at Crete-Monee, 12:00

Thornton

Vocational at Thornridge, 10:00

BURLINGTON CENTRAL SECTIONAL

Belvidere

Harvard at Belvidere, 4:00

Kaneland

IMSA at Plano, 1:00

Woodstock

Crystal Lake Central at Woodstock, 1:00

GALESBURG SECTIONAL

Dunlap

Geneseo at Galesburg, 3:00

Peoria Central

Limestone at Notre Dame, 7:00

Morris

Rochelle at Morris, 1:00

CENTRALIA SECTIONAL

Mt. Vernon

Effingham at Marion, 6:30

Belthalto

Cahokia at Belthalto, 2:00

MACARTHUR SECTIONAL

Champaign Central

Rantoul at Danville, 1:00

Mattoon

Mattoon at Eisenhower (Decatur), 6:00

Rochester

Springfield at Rochester, 2:00

Normal West

Urbana at Bloomington, 6:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

IHSA STATE TOURNAMENT – 2A

(Regional – Quarter-Final – Chicago Area)

CHRIST THE KING SECTIONAL

North Lawndale

Legal Prep at Raby, 2:00

Cristo Rey at North Lawndale, 1:00

Rowe-Clark at Orr, 2:00

Clemente

Golder at Clemente, 5:30

Noble Street at Ogden, 5:30

DePaul

Marine at Noble Academy, 1:00

Disney at Holy Trinity, 2:00

Crane

Phoenix at Intrinsic-Downtown, 1:00

DRW Prep at Farragut, 5:00

Rauner at Crane, 5:00

JULIAN

South Shore

EPIC at Harlan, 5:00

South Shore at Longwood, 3:00

Leo at Butler, 2:00

Dyett

UC-Woodlawn at University High, 6:00

DuSable at King, 5:00

Dunbar

ACERO-Soto at Chicago Military, 4:00

ACERO-Garcia at Urban Prep-Bronzeville, 3:00

Joliet Catholic

Chicago Christian at Carver, 6:00

Southland at Julian, 5:00

JOHNSBURG SECTIONAL

Genoa-Kingston

Aurora Central at Genoa-Kingston, 4:00

Marengo at Sandwich, 3:00

Northridge

Rickover at Cristo Rey-St. Martin, 2:00

Sullivan at Chicago Academy, 1:00

Lisle

Westmont at Montini, 4:00

Intrinsic-Belmont at Timothy Christian, 1:00

Rockford Lutheran

North Boone at Marian Central, 2:00

Richmond-Burton at Johnsburg, 7:00

ORION SECTIONAL

Bureau Valley

Bureau Valley at Hall, 1:00

Illinois Valley Central at Kewanee, 1:00

Byron

Mendota at Rock Falls, 6:00

Oregon at Winnebago, 6:00

HERSCHER SECTIONAL

Momence

Manteno at Momence, 2:00

Herscher at Peotone, 1:00

Prairie Central

Clifton Central at Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley, 1:00

Paxton-Buckley-Loda at Monticello, 4:00

Seneca

El Paso-Gridley at Fieldcrest, 5:00

Wilmington at McNamara, 5:00

Coal City at Reed-Custer, 1:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

IHSA STATE TOURNAMENT – 1A

(Regional – Quarter-Final – Chicago Area)

BUSHNELL-PRAIRIE CITY SECTIONAL

Princeville

Lowpoint-Washburn at Peoria Christian, 3:00

Peoria Quest at Peoria Heights, 4:00

Wetherfield at Stark County, 6:00

Brimfield at Princeville, 5:00

PUTNAM COUNTY SECTIONAL

Corliss

Excel-South Shore at Bowen, 1:00

Hirsch at Ellison, 1:00

Dwight

Morgan Park Academy at Serena, 1:00

Gardner-So. Wilmington at Dwight, 6:30

Unity Christian at Putnam County, 6:00

Fenger at Yorkville Christian, 1:00

Midland

Woodland at St. Bede, 2:00

DePue at Midland, 6:00

Henry-Senachwine at Newark, 1:00

Horizon-Southwest

Excel-Englewood at Urban Prep-Englewood, 1:00

ACE Amandla at Richards (Chgo), 3:00

Horizon-Southwest at Tilden, 1:00

HEYWORTH SECTIONAL

Ridgeview

Tri-Point at Lexington, 3:00

Flanagan-Cornell at Calvary Christian, 4:00

Roanoke-Benson at Milford, 1:00

Ridgeview at LeRoy, 2:00

Watseka

Grace Christian at Cornerstone Christian, 6:00

Watseka at Donovan, 6:00

Cissna Park at Grant Park, 1:00

Illinois Lutheran at St. Anne, 4:00

ELGIN SECTIONAL

Lycee Francais

Lycee Francais at Wolcott, 1:00

ACERO-Cruz at Austin, 2:00

Waldorf at Beacon, 4:30

Walther Christian

MCC Academy at Harvest Christian, 1:00

Christian Heritage at Walther Christian, 12:00

Islamic Foundation at Ida Crown, 8:00

Fasman Yeshiva at North Shore, 7:30

Hinckley-Big Rock

Mooseheart at CPSA, 3:00

Schaumburg Christian at Rochelle Zell, 7:30

Westminster Christian at Elgin Academy, 1:00

Marshall

Spry at Marshall, 1:00

Collins at Chicago Tech, 5:30

Urban Prep-West at Manley, 5:00

Providence-St. Mel at Horizon-McKinley, 1:00

EASTLAND SECTIONAL

Ashton-Franklin Center

Leland at Pecatonica, 4:00

Indian Creek at Ashton-Franklin Center, 1:00

Amboy at Dakota, 3:00

LaMoille at Earlville, 1:00

South Beloit

Somonauk at Polo, 4:00

Hiawatha at Durand, 1:00

Alden-Hebron at Christian Life, 1:00

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The Chicago Cubs did a lot this off-season to try and be an improved team. The biggest move came in the form of their new shortstop Dansby Swanson who earned a very lucrative contract. With Nico Hoerner moving to second base, the Cubs are set in the middle of the infield.

They also added other players that have had great years in their careers like Cody Bellinger, Trey Mancini, Eric Hosmer, and Tucker Barnhart. Most of these guys have won the World Series somewhere else in their careers which means they bring tons of experience.

With Kyle Hendriks being the only one left from the 2016 World Series team, they desperately needed some veteran leadership so they went out and got it. It was a big off-season for them as they try to come back a good team in 2023.

With the aforementioned players in addition to guys like Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, and Marcus Stroman on the team, it feels like they have a chance to be decent this year. A lot needs to go right but there is a surplus of talent there this year compared to the last two.

The Chicago Cubs are a team that has mixed expectations coming into 2023.

Baseball Prospectus doesn’t think very highly of them right now though. They currently have the Cubs coming in third place in the NL Central with a record of 77-85. They have the Pittsburgh Pirates coming in fourth at 71-91 and the Cincinnati Reds in last at 67-95.

Ahead of the Cubs in this projection are the two teams that have finished ahead of them a lot in recent years. They, oddly enough, have the Milwaukee Brewers winning the division at 88-74 with the St. Louis Cardinals right behind at 86-76. These are definitely interesting predictions.

With other elite teams in the NL like the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, and Philadelphia Phillies, the NL Central could really only be sending one playoff team again in 2023. That certainly doesn’t help the Cubs.

Playoffs aren’t the issue here though. The issue is the team having an improved year so they need these Baseball Prospectus rankings to be completely wrong for that to be the case.

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It’s a slow time of the year for sports in Illinois, with the Cubs, White Sox and Bears in offseason mode and the Bulls off for the NBA All-Star Break.

Thanks to DraftKings Sportsbook, there’s still plenty of reason to bet on your teams this weekend. New users in Illinois who bet $5 on one of their teams this weekend will win $150 in bonus bets if that team wins!

What better time to build your bankroll with so many sporting events left on the calendar? Make sure to follow the instructions below to take advantage of this offer.

DraftKings Illinois Promo

This offer is only available for new users and it won’t be around forever.

Here’s what you do:

Sign up for DraftKings using this link (no promo code needed)Verify your identityDeposit $5 or moreBet at least $5 on any wager this weekend

That’s all you have to do. Once your account is set up and you’ve deposited at least $5, you’re ready for your shot at $150.

There’s a few different ways to play this opportunity. You could bet on the Chicago Blackhawks or the Illinois men’s basketball team. Or maybe you want to bet on some NBA All-Star action.

Whatever your flavor, it doesn’t matter as long as you win.

Turning $5 into $150 has never been easier than this. Sign up with DraftKings now before this offer ends.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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During his Fire tenure, Gaston Gimenez’s performance always has been measured against his contract and salary. Signed as a designated player before the 2020 season, Gimenez has been a mainstay in the Fire’s midfield. But critics have argued his production and role haven’t matched his DP status.

This season, Gimenez might be judged by a different standard.

In October, Gimenez and the Fire agreed to a new contract through the 2025 season. Crucially for the Fire, Gimenez is no longer a DP, which might compel some observers to look at the 31-year-old veteran in a different way. Perhaps the things he does well — organizing the midfield, hitting passes to connect the attack to the back line — won’t be overshadowed by the lack of goals, assists and flashy moments that usually define a high-priced DP.

Gimenez’s mindset hasn’t changed, even if his contract has. The contract, Gimenez said, isn’t important. Doing things “the right way” is more crucial.

“I never felt any pressure in my life as far as playing [soccer] goes,” Gimenez said through a translator. “It’s my job. It’s what I do. I take it seriously as my job, as my profession, no matter the contract I have.”

Gimenez, who was somewhat controversially re-signed as a designated player in December 2021 through the 2023 season by sporting director Georg Heitz and technical director Sebastian Pelzer, said his new contract was convenient for the Fire and himself. The team wanted to open a DP spot, and Gimenez and his family are happy in Chicago.

“It really benefitted both of us doing [the new contract] in that way,” said Gimenez, who earned $2,360,667 in guaranteed compensation last year, according to the MLS Players Association. “Money was never an issue, money was never a problem. We’re just really happy here, so we were able to reach that agreement and everyone can be happy.”

When he signed the new contract, Gimenez was a little more than a month removed from season-ending surgery Aug. 24 to repair a right hamstring injury. Now, with the opener March 4 two weeks away, Gimenez said he’s feeling very good and is incrementally getting better physically. But on Friday, coach Ezra Hendrickson said Gimenez is dealing with an unspecified injury that could be caused by overcompensating for the hamstring, and wouldn’t commit to him being available for the opener.

Besides his fitness, where Gimenez fits in Hendrickson’s lineup also will be worth watching as the season gets going.

Pending injuries, Federico Navar-ro seems entrenched in one of the Fire’s deep-lying midfield slots. To pair with Navarro, the Fire have options that include Mauricio Pineda, Fabian Herbers and the intriguing possibility of using young designated player Jairo Torres deeper in the formation.

Rather than fretting about the potential competition, Gimenez said it’s a good thing for the Fire to have choices in the midfield.

And regardless of how many minutes he gets, Gimenez knows his role will stay the same: arrange the midfield, communicate and give “100% every day.”

“That’s what’s important,” he said. “First is the team, and after that is everything on an individual level.”

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It’s not just because I’m jealous of quizmasters who have their own televised programs, but I have to admit that it has been ages since I watched a game show.

Back in the day, I enjoyed watching “The Price is Right.” The show first aired from 1956 to 1963 on NBC, hosted by Bill Cullen with the great Don Pardo as the announcer. When the show moved to ABC, from 1963 to 65, Johnny Gilbert became the announcer. The newest and most famous version of the show premiered Sept. 4, 1972, on CBS. Bob Barker was the host until his retirement in June 2007, when Drew Carey took over.

Barker was as charming as he could be as contestants were put to the test in a wide variety of pricing games. Today, our quiz pays homage to what I call the Over-Under Game. This is the time of year when betting establishments put out their predictions for the coming baseball season. They use betting lines that are so damn close to being right that one seemingly can’t win.

For example, DraftKings says the White Sox will win 83.5 games and the Cubs 77.5, and you can bet whether they’ll win more or fewer games. We aren’t predicting in our game, but you get a correct answer by knowing the over or the under. You’ll see as we get started. So have fun and learn a lot. And please, no wagering.

1. Let’s start with an easy recollection of the 2022 season. Combined, did the White Sox and Cubs win over or under 150.5 games?

2. In 2021 and 2022, did Jose Abreu drive home over or under 192.5 RBI?

3. On July 30, 2021, Kris Bryant was traded by the Cubs to the Giants for Alexander Canario and Caleb Kilian. Since Aug. 1, 2021, have the Cubs started over or under 9.5 different third basemen?

4. Last season, Aaron Judge hit 62 home runs. Was the total of homers hit by Patrick -Wisdom, Ian Happ, Christopher Morel and Nick -Madrigal over or under Judge’s total?

5. Last season, the White Sox had 1,005 -singles. Was that over every postseason team? Or under even one postseason team?

6. Last season, the Cubs won 74 games. Over the last 10 seasons combined (2013-2022), have the Bears won over or under that total?

7. Last season, the White Sox finished with a record of 81-81. In their history, how many other times have the Sox finished with a .500 record? Over or under 4.5 times?

8. Ryne Sandberg played 15 seasons with the Cubs. How many of those seasons did “Ryno” have more hits than strikeouts? The over/under is 13.5.

9. I like to end with a question about walk-offs or closers. No closer in White Sox history has had more seasons with 25-plus saves than Bobby Jenks. How many seasons did he have 35-plus saves? The over/under is 2.5.

I close with Bob Barker’s closing to each show: “Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.” Might I add, don’t use the phrase “get your pet fixed.” There had been nothing broken. Have a good week.

ANSWERS

1. OVER. The Sox won 81 and the Cubs 74. A total of 155.

2. UNDER. Abreu drove home 117 in 2021 and 75 in 2022 for a total of 192 RBI.

3. UNDER. The Cubs started seven different players at third base: Patrick Wisdom (134 games), Matt Duffy (25), Zach McKinstry and Christopher Morel (16 each), David Bote (15), Jonathan Villar (11) and P.J. Higgins (2).

4. UNDER. Wisdom hit 25, Happ 17, Morel 16 and Madrigal didn’t hit any. That puts the total at 58 homers.

5. OVER. The Sox led the majors in singles last season.

6. UNDER. The Bears have won 64 games. But over the last 11 seasons, the Bears have won 74 games, the same as the Cubs’ total last season.

7. UNDER. The Sox also finished at .500 in 1922, 1941, 1974 and 2002.

8. OVER. Sandberg finished his career with 2,386 hits and 1,260 strikeouts. Every season he played with the Cubs, he had more hits than whiffs.

9. UNDER. The Sox’ record for seasons with 35-plus saves is two, held by Jenks, Roberto Hernandez and Liam Hendriks, who’s undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. There are specially designed “Close Out Cancer” T-shirts for sale for $31 at whitesox.com/TeamLiam. Net proceeds from the sale will benefit the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) and its mission to eradicate lymphoma and serve those impacted by the blood cancer. This month, I lost one of my oldest and dearest friends to lymphoma, and I bought a T-shirt in Mitchell’s memory.

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Russell Westbrook to the Bulls?

It might happen.

What could go wrong?

If the 34-year-old point guard separates from the Jazz via a buyout of his expiring $47.1 million contract, he’ll be looking to play somewhere. In this week’s “Polling Place,” your home for Sun-Times sports polls on Twitter, we wanted to know if Chicago — whose Bulls are, ahem, bad — is the right place.

“Likely more entertaining to watch on — and off — the court than what we’re getting right now,” @CalJestice commented.

“Yes,” @Midwestman21 offered, “because the team obviously needs to completely burn to the ground to get the front office to notice that it isn’t working.”

But more voters said no — as did a majority about baseball’s “ghost runner” rule, which puts a man on second base to start extra innings and has become a permanent deal.

“Get rid of it,” @bigcubstweets wrote, getting straight to the point.

Last, we asked: Which hoops squad is better built for March, Illinois or Northwestern?

On to the polls:

Poll No. 1: Should the Bulls acquire Russell Westbrook if they can?

Upshot: Again, what could go wrong? Probably everything, although, given the hopelessness of this team, it might be more like nothing. Or as @FatDudeRunning put it, “I was going to cite dysfunction, but he would fit in perfectly with this poorly constructed team, adding to the overall dysfunction.” It could be just crazy enough to (not) work.

Poll No. 2: What do you think of major league baseball’s extra-inning “ghost runner” rule?

Upshot: @KurtisArndt wishes the rule were “just implemented in the 13th inning instead of the 10th,” an interesting take. Alas, it’s water under the bridge now; there will be a runner on second in the 10th whether we like it or not. Kind of like a round of ice-cold beers at the ballpark costs $1.2 billion whether we like it or not.

Poll No. 3: Which college basketball team is a better bet to make some noise in March, Illinois or Northwestern?

Upshot: “Illinois is capable but inconsistent,” @DouglasVankleek wrote, “but Northwestern has shown it can win on the road.” It’s true — the Wildcats have been road warriors. But will their terrific chemistry and clutch ways add up to more in the Big Dance than all that Illini talent? The big stage awaits.

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LAS VEGAS — As I crouched over to grab two cans of black olives last week, a fellow grocer mumbled something. I said, ”Excuse me?”

“How will them O’s do this season?”

After a tick or two, I remembered I was wearing an Orioles home cap — white front, orange bill, the smiling little bird wearing a little black cap with the cursive O’s on the front.

Them beautiful Baltimore Orioles.

”Well,” I said, ”as long as they keep paying dividends.”

He hailed from Washington, has enjoyed the Nationals-Orioles rivalry and didn’t quite get my response. I grinned like that little bird as I explained that Baltimore proved pivotal to my marginally profitable MLB 2022 season.

The Orioles barely finished above .500 at 83-79. However, because so many of their victories arrived as an underdog, they netted a league-best 27.2 profit units.

I nabbed the cap as a tribute.

Underdogs? No. These were The Fabulous Underbirds.

They zapped bookmakers, along with the Dodgers on the run line, and parlays involving L.A., Houston, the Yankees and Mets.

Rampart Casino race and sports director Duane Colucci told me his book did finish in the black with baseball, the cushion just wasn’t as large as usual. Plus, one of those months had indeed been a rare loser.

“One of our worst baseball seasons ever,” he said. “Uncanny. Brutal.”

ROAD PROFITS

On the moneyline, the Guardians (18.1 units), Astros (13.6), Mets (12) and Mariners (10.7), according to OddsShark.com, followed Baltimore in winning double-digit profits.

On the run line — giving 1.5 runs — the Dodgers were devastating as 97 of their 111 victories came by at least two runs, dominance that returned 29.2 units of profit.

(A Dodgers’ moneyline of -250 could be whittled to -115 on the run line.)

“That trend killed us,” Colucci said. “It was brutal because they have the most backing in Las Vegas — maybe until the A’s come here, if they come here.

“But everybody bets on the Dodgers, and a lot of people have grown to bet on the Astros, as well, because they rule that [AL] West year in and year out.”

Blindly betting the Cubs and White Sox at home would have been bad deals. Both went 37-44, but the former dropped a mere 4.9 units; the latter’s typical favored status meant more risk, and a 16-unit loss.

Both would’ve been wise road wagers, though, the Cubs making 6.9 units, while the Sox made 7.8.

Chicago baseball supporters needed to pick their spots, though, since the Sox fared well away from home for three trips, from mid-June on, and again in September. In mid-August and September, the Cubs were road warriors.

For this season, William Hill has set a victory total of 77.5 on the Cubs, 35-to-1 odds on them winning the NL pennant, 75-1 on the World Series; the White Sox total is 83, 16-1 to win the AL, 28-1 the series.

At DraftKings, the Cubs are 80-1 to win it all, 35-1 for the Sox, who for the first time in 10 years will not have slugger Jose Abreu, who is now in Houston.

Colucci said notable money has been wagered on the Cubs, whose new players include starting pitcher Jameson Taillon and shortstop Dansby Swanson.

On Long Island, professional bettor Tom Barton said interest in the Cubs might be “a little overblown,” but he does believe .500 is within reach — Over 77.5 might be wise.

The Cubs are +700 (risk $100 to win $700) to take the NL Central, behind the Cardinals (-110) and Brewers +140), at the Westgate SuperBook.

“I think that’s a winnable division,” Barton said, “but I’m not sure the Cubs did enough.”

DIAMOND ANGLES

I know some sharp bettors who wait till Memorial Day, to get a feel for new rosters and rule changes, to bet on baseball.

Barton generally agreed with that tack, but he doesn’t want to miss early profits, either.

He likes the Pirates to go over a team victory total that he got at 63, which is 67.5 (Over -105, Under -115) at DraftKings.

“I’m hot on them this season,” Barton said. “No matter what they do, they’ll always be dogs and you don’t want to miss the big payouts early on.”

For the NL Cy Young Award, he got Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff at 50-1 (he’s 35-1 at DraftKings) for its sheer value.

Barton also snatched the Braves’ Austin Riley for NL MVP at 12-1 (15-1 DK) and said Riley to lead the NL in homers (13-1 DK) “is worth a stab.” He grabbed the Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez at 12-1 for AL MVP (7-1 DK).

“And I think the Angels make the playoffs,” Barton said. At DK, that proposition is +190 on Yes, No -225. They boast superstars Shohei Ohtani (+200 AL MVP odds at DK) and Mike Trout (+450).

(Odds and prices subject to change.)

I wore that Orioles cap Monday to shop at a sportsbook, and the ticket writer erupted. A Baltimore native, he raved about the team’s young talent.

The franchise has a history, too. Over the last 10 full seasons, according to the Covers.com database, the Orioles have turned in three of the nine most-profitable campaigns, netting 36.5 units in 2012 and 31.6 in ’14.

If they continue being the Underbirds, I’ll be grabbing an all-black Baltimore away cap — of course, with the little grinning Oriole on the front — come next winter.

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LAS VEGAS — Runners had been in scoring position for both games when it had mattered most, at the very end, but nobody could produce a clutch hit.

Two defeats for Fergie Jenkins.

“We lost 17-16, then 10-8,” he said. “We needed one more hit.”

His first two games as a professional player, for the Phillies’ Class-D Miami Marlins in 1962? His first two games as a Cub, in 1966?

No. This was Jan. 25, at the faux Wrigley Field here at the Field of Dreams complex.

Late the next morning, as the other two teams battled in the Club 400 charity fantasy camp and a chill blew in from right field, Jenkins settled into the comfortable indoor seating area and snack bar behind home plate.

The 80-year-old Cubs legend laughed easily and frequently, but he also spoke about these games as if they mattered, as if his roster of weekend warriors, in their 40s and 50s, would expect nothing less.

“They want to compete,” Jenkins said. “It takes willpower to push their bodies a little farther. They see me try to coach them in the correct ways, to try to win the ‘inner’ part of the game.”

He had tried conveying fundamental aspects of the game, like hitting the proper cutoff man from the outfield, not swinging at eye-high or ankle-low pitches from the machine.

“It’s a little tough,” Jenkins laughed.

That day, though, something clicked. They executed. Jenkins and co-coach Ed Lynch guided their band of middle-aged misfits to the fantasy championship.

EASING BURDENS

Stewart McVicar started Club 400, a takeoff on Wrigley Field’s center-field sign, in 2014, and he has taken the fantasy baton from founder and former Cubs catcher Randy Hundley.

At $2,500 per camper, nearly everything but airfare is covered.

Lee Smith and Bob Dernier coached one team, the other was overseen by Ray Burris and John Mallee, a graduate of Mount Carmel, Chicago State and UIC.

Every coach possessed a Cubs connection.

McVicar, 49, operates an HVAC business in Lake in the Hills, where the 2,300-square-foot basement of his nearby home serves as a shrine to the franchise and Club 400’s headquarters.

Jenkins cut his usual such fee considerably. He has been in McVicar’s grand basement, as have Andre Dawson, Anthony Rizzo and other former Cubs, team owner Tom Ricketts and other athletes.

In April 2021, Nicole Geu sought aid for close friend Heather Howiler, a Naperville teacher with a terminal illness. Geu found an ally in McVicar, who deals directly with people to avoid typical red-tape delays.

Within 48 hours, Heather had four choice seats to a Cubs game. She appeared on the big screen. Players strolled by to chat, sign autographs, take photos.

“For a few hours she wasn’t a cancer fighter, she was a Cubs fan,” Geu said. “It meant the world to her.”

Five weeks later, Howiler died. Her memory lives in Geu’s Honoring Heather program, and Geu now does accounting and public-relations work for Club 400.

Thirty-five Club 400 events have raised more than $750,000, and McVicar welcomes donations and sponsorships.

“You can ease burdens,” he said. “It’s about Cubs fans helping Cubs fans. I didn’t know how it would go, trying to get players to come to events in my basement. Now, they want to come to us.”

THE WINNER

Fergie Jenkins never took competition for granted. At 16, in his hometown of Chatham, Ontario, a Phillies scout dropped by the ice rink to watch him play hockey.

The scout first asked him why he was so violent? Jenkins replied that he was a defenseman, so he’d prevent anyone crossing that blue line from scoring, either with his stick or his 6-4 frame, even more imposing on skates.

He also spent three seasons playing hoops with Fred “Curly” Neal, Meadowlark Lemon and Jackie Jackson on the Harlem Globetrotters.

“I had a chance to portray certain aspects of what I was capable of doing, and I was capable of playing several different sports.”

He laughed.

“As long as I didn’t get hurt.”

He won 284 major-league games, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame made him immortal in 1991.

From 1967 through ’72, a much different and durable era, he completed 140 games for the Cubs, recording 127 triumphs. Since 1998, only six pitchers have recorded at least 10 complete games in a season.

“Pitchers are protected, for some reason,” Jenkins said. “If you’re in great shape, why should you protect an athlete?”

Meantime, every offseason, the powers keep tweaking the game Jenkins adores. This year there’s a pitch clock, the bases are bigger and two infielders must occupy either side of second base.

“The timing part I dislike. The pitcher sets the tempo; that belongs to him. We don’t need a clock in baseball.”

The robot ump being implemented in every Triple-A park doesn’t inform Jenkins that it’s imminent for the majors.

“I don’t think it’ll get to the big leagues. I just think that the umpire is correct 99% of the time. Replay has helped, in some respect. But I enjoy seeing an ump call balls and strikes.”

Always, Jenkins insisted, the reward is winning.

“And you win as a team, not an individual.”

It was as true in 1962, at Class-D Miami, as it was on a rough patch of grass in Las Vegas in late January.

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