Chicago Sports

Brian Ball, a 20-year employee of the White Sox and their former head trainer, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the team and general manager Rick Hahn, claiming he was fired unlawfully on Oct. 31, 2020, because of his sexual orientation, age and disability. He also claims he was defamed by the team and suffered emotional distress.

Ball, 50, served as the Sox’ assistant trainer during their 2005 World Series title run and was promoted to head trainer in 2018, replacing Herm Schneider, who was the longest-tenured trainer in the majors.

”The Chicago White Sox organization categorically denies the baseless allegations made by former Head Trainer Brian Ball in his lawsuit against the club,” the Sox said in a statement late Tuesday.

Ball, who was selected as an assistant trainer for the 2011 All-Star Game, was fired at the end of the 2020 season, the suit says.

The suit says the Sox, including vice president Ken Williams, Hahn and players, learned Ball was a homosexual in February 2018.

It further says Ball was the victim of a carjacking on July 17, 2020. After meeting with police, he went to the ballpark to be checked by a team physician. The next day, the suit says, Hahn told Ball he was being put on medical leave and would need to see a psychologist as part of his conditions to return to work.

By Aug. 28, Ball says he was cleared by his personal psychologist to return to work. The suit claims the Sox denied that clearance and alleges Hahn made statements to other athletic training staff in September 2020 that Ball had a gambling, drug or alcohol addiction that was related to the carjacking. The suit says none of those accusations is true.

By late October, the suit says that Ball was told by Hahn that he was being terminated and that no explanation was given.

On Oct. 27, the day after Ball was notified he had been fired, the Sox presented him with a separation agreement, the suit says. The Sox advised Ball that if he didn’t sign and return the agreement by the first week of November, he would lose out on the terms of the agreement, the suit claims. Ball returned a signed agreement Nov. 7, 2020, the suit says.

But Ball’s suit claims an ”Individual A” — a ”White Sox management-level representative” — contacted him Dec. 27, 2020, and claimed the termination was based on his sexual orientation.

The suit says the Sox replaced Ball with “a less-qualified, non-disabled, non-homosexual male younger than 40 years of age.

”It is extremely disappointing that a former colleague, who was supported, developed and promoted over two decades, chose to attack the club in this way,” the Sox’ statement said. ”It is also surprising to many who know Brian, and supported him throughout his career, to read the allegations included in his lawsuit.

”The Chicago White Sox are unified against discrimination in any form and support anti-discrimination laws that provide protection to those wronged by an employer. Those laws are essential to protecting anyone who has been victimized by discrimination and to creating a culture of empowerment and opportunity for all individuals.

”Brian’s dismissal from the organization was based on his performance and did not run afoul of any of the protections afforded to employees under the law.

”Although we do not intend to provide further comment until this matter is resolved, we are committed to vigorously defending the club’s reputation against Brian’s meritless allegations, including the pursuit of all remedies under the law.”

The suit also claims Ball hasn’t been able to find employment as a trainer despite having more than 20 years in the profession.

James Kruk, 38, was promoted from assistant trainer to head trainer in 2021 after Ball was let go. Kruk, an assistant trainer in 2019-20, had assumed a higher profile while Ball was away for personal reasons, the Sox said at the time. Kruk is in his 14th season in the organization.

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The Cubs made another series of roster moves on Tuesday, as they placed two players on the 10-day injured list.

Outfielder Michael Hermosillo landed on the IL with a left quadriceps strain and second baseman Nick Madrigal with low back tightness.

The Hermosillo move, retroactive to Sunday, made room on the active roster for the Cubs to activate left-hander Wade Miley from the 10-day IL (left elbow inflammation). He took the mound Tuesday, making his Cubs debut.

Cubs manager David Ross said Hermosillo’s injury “wasn’t bothering him too much” at first, and he tried to play through it.

“Then just the flight out here, some swelling set in and got it looked at, and it was more serious than we thought,” Ross said.

It will be a few weeks before Hermosillo resumes baseball activities, according to the Cubs.

Closer to game time, the team put Madrigal on the IL.He’d felt back tightness during the game Monday, a 6-0 win against the Padres, and did not bounce back well on Tuesday, according to the team.

To replenish their middle infield depth, the Cubs selected infielder Ildemaro Vargas from Triple-A. He was already on the trip as a member of the taxi squad and played 15 games with the Cubs between 2020 and 2021.

Vargas finished last season with Pirates and Diamondbacks but signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs over the winter, joining spring training as a non-roster invitee.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Vargas on Tuesday, the Cubs designated right-hander Adrian Sampson for assignment. Sampson was also in San Diego as a member of the taxi squad.

Pitching plan

When Ross was asked before Tuesday’s game who would take the mound for the Cubs in the series finale Wednesday, he said: “I don’t know yet.”

The rotation is shorthand with right-hander Marcus Stroman on the IL (no designation) and Alec Mills still a few bullpens away from resuming his rehab assignment. Mills started the season on the 10-day IL due to a low back strain but experienced a setback with quad tightness in between rehab starts.

Wednesday will likely be another bullpen day, the Cubs’ third in a little over a week.

“Under the circumstances, they’ve done a nice job of adjusting,” Ross said of the bullpen. “They haven’t been our strongest games. And that’s to be expected. A lot of guys have different roles.”

The off day Thursday should help. On Wednesday, Ross won’t have to be cognizant of saving bullpen arms for the next day.

Suzuki scratched

The Cubs scratched Seiya Suzuki from the lineup Tuesday, after he was originally penciled in as the designated hitter. Suzuki left Monday’s game with right ankle soreness.

Yan Gomes replaced him in the lineup Tuesday as the DH.

In other roster news

The Mets claimed left-hander Locke St. John off waivers from the Cubs on Tuesday. The Cubs had designated him for assignment last week to make room for right-hander Robert Gsellman on the 40-man roster.

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The Blackhawks’ first-round pick is officially gone.

Traded to the Blue Jackets last summer in the regrettable Seth Jones trade package, but with protection that would’ve kept it in the Hawks’ possession if first or second overall, the pick that could’ve provided a major early boost to new general manager Kyle Davidson’s rebuild was officially ceded Tuesday based on the NHL draft lottery results.

The Hawks entered the day with a 7.5% chance of winning the No. 1 selection and a 7.9% chance of winning the No. 2 selection, equaling a 15.4% total chance of moving up –the sixth-best odds of any team.

Instead, the Canadiens won the first overall selection and the Devils won the second overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, which begins July 7 in Montreal. The Coyotes will pick third, the Kraken will pick fourth and the Flyers will pick fifth.

The one silver lining is the Hawks, by giving up their 2022 first-round pick, are now guaranteed to keep their 2023 first-round pick, which would’ve instead transferred to the Jackets had the Hawks won the lottery Tuesday.

With the Hawks’ rebuild likely hinting at another low standings finish next season — resulting in another high draft choice and high odds in the lottery — coupled with the prevailing perception that the 2023 draft class looks better than the 2022 class, the Hawks could land an elite future superstar next year.

But they’ll have to wait a year for that. And as Davidson said last month, “If you don’t have a first-round pick, that means the talent’s pushed further down the road, which lengthens the speed at which you can get talent to the NHL.”

The Hawks nonetheless could still end up with a first-round pick this year –albeit a late one — if the Wild advance to the Western Conference Final, which would activate the condition on the second-round pick traded for Marc-Andre Fleury.

That Wild pick remains one of five picks in the first three rounds that the Hawks own, so they will be able to add a large quantity of decent prospects — if not elite ones –to their pipeline.

Nonetheless, they’ll spend the first hour of the draft salivating over the talent they could’ve had in other world as the top 10 prospects steadily fall off the board.

Shane Wright, this year’s consensus top prospect, projects as a well-rounded first-line center with equally stout offensive and defensive abilities. Compared by TSN’s Craig Button to Bruins star Patrice Bergeron, Wright tallied 94 points in 63 games this season with the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs.

Meanwhile, American center Logan Cooley, Slovakian winger Juraj Slafkovsky, Slovakian defenseman Simon Nemec, Czech defenseman and Canadian center Matthew Savoie are favored as the other top-five picks, with Finnish winger Joakim Kemell and Czech defenseman David Jiricek also in the conversation.

Cooley plays a similarly well-rounded game to Wright at an arguably faster pace, although he’s a bit smaller at 5-11, 174 pounds. He tallied 36 points in 24 games this season in the U.S. National Development Program and will play college hockey at Minnesota next year.

Slafkovsky is perhaps the most NHL-ready prospect in the draft class. He’s already 6-4, 218 pounds. He played a full season of pro hockey in Finland, tallying 17 points in 49 regular- and post-season games for TPS, but really gained fame for winning the 2022 Winter Olympics men’s hockey MVP trophy with seven goals in seven games for Slovakia.

Nemec is a smart, versatile puck-moving defenseman who tallied 43 points in 58 regular- and post-season games for the Slovakian club HK Nitra. Savoie is an aggressive, shoot-first scorer who tallied 90 points in 65 games for the WHL’s Winnipeg Ice.

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ZURICH — The FIFA video game will be disappearing after the maker failed to strike a new licensing deal with world soccer’s governing body.

Instead, EA Sports FC will be introduced from 2023 after the company creates the final game in partnership with FIFA later this year.

EA has been producing a FIFA game for around three decades and its fond association with fans worldwide helped the Zurich-based organization’s brand when it was tarnished amid a wave of arrests of soccer officials in 2015.

For many, FIFA means a game rather than a sports politics institution. Now FIFA will have to search for new video gaming opportunities beyond EA.

“We’re thankful for our many years of great partnership with FIFA,” EA CEO Andrew Wilson said. “The future of global football is very bright, and fandom around the world has never been stronger. We have an incredible opportunity to put EA SPORTS FC at the heart of the sport, and to bring even more innovative and authentic experiences to the growing football audience.”

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CHICAGO — White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson had his one-game suspension for making an obscene gesture toward fans in a game in Cleveland recently reduced to just a fine, according to a source familiar with the situation.

After a fan made a comment to Anderson in the first game of a doubleheader on April 20, Anderson was caught on camera flashing his middle finger in the direction of the fan.

He appealed and won, avoiding sitting out a game.

Anderson was suspended for the first three games of the 2022 season after making contact with an umpire late last year. He appealed that decision and got the suspension reduced to two games.

He’s hitting .330 this season as a key member of the White Sox, who at 14-14 are in third place in the AL Central after winning the division last season.

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Tim Anderson’s penalty from Major League Baseball for inappropriate actions during a game in Cleveland on April 20 has been reduced to a fine, according to sources.

The White Sox shortstop received a one-game suspension and undisclosed fine two days after making a gesture to fans on the third base side of Progressive Field during the eighth inning of an 11-1 Sox loss three weeks ago. After appealing MLB’s disciplinary action, Anderson will not be forced to miss a game.

Cameras on the White Sox broadcast showed Anderson raising a middle finger from his position on the field. Anderson made three errors during the first two innings as the Sox and pitcher Dallas Keuchel fell behind 10-0.

“I have to apologize for my actions,” Anderson said after the penalty was announced two days later. “There are a lot of people who really look up to me. I take full accountability for what I did. It’s something I have to learn from and grow from.

“Game can be tough, and you can get frustrated with things people say. But there are a lot of kids out there watching. I have to be a bigger person in that situation.”

Anderson made two errors in the Sox’ 12-9 loss to the Guardians in 11 innings at Guaranteed Rate Field Monday, his eighth and ninth of the season, which leads the majors. The Sox are tied for the MLB lead with 26 errors in 28 games.

A 2021 All-Star, Anderson is batting .330/.363/.515 with four home runs this season. The Sox are 115-81 since 2020 when Anderson, their leadoff hitter, is in the lineup, compared to 27-27 when he does not play. During that span, Sox are 98-51 when Anderson gets a hit.

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Dalen Davis is feeling good.

Physically, mentally and productively, the junior from Young is playing the best basketball of his career.

After arriving on the scene as a freshman and playing an important role for one of the best teams in the state, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for the 5-11 point guard over the past two seasons. But he’s put it all on display in recent weeks, including last month during the second NCAA live evaluation period of the spring.

“I feel different now than I did during the season or even from the first EYBL session [in early April],” Davis said. “I was dealing with a back injury the first weekend. I tried to play through it.”

Then with college coaches watching, he shined throughout the second NCAA live weekend in Indianapolis.

He scored 19 points and added four assists in 20 minutes in a Meanstreets win over Bradley Beal Elite in Nike’s EYBL second session.

Davis then went toe-to-toe with Joliet native and Michigan State commit Jeremy Fears Jr., a top 30 player nationally who plays at La Lumiere in Indiana. In the head-to-head matchup he scored 17 points, connecting on 3-of-3 from the three-point line and dished out six assists.

The offensive efficiency and the pace Davis played at with the ball in his hands, along with the confidence and poise, stood out. He displayed a penchant for scoring while playing the role of distributor.

He connected on off-the-dribble and off-the-catch threes and dropped in pull-up jumpers. He displayed enough burst to get by defenders and finish at the rim. He set up teammates and showed to be a pick-and-roll threat.

Davis is evolving and self-observant. A known score-first point guard with some compact strength, there has been more than just a hint of playmaker in him this spring. And Young coach Tyrone Slaughter, who coaches with the Meanstreets program, has seen the shift in his star point guard.

“He’s really assumed the position of being a point guard who can score rather than being a scorer who is playing point guard,” Slaughter said.

Despite a solid junior season, Davis knows there have been ups and downs in his career that he’s dealt with. As a hot shot prospect early in his career with Division I offers, a lot of eyes were on Davis — and his inconsistency and missed games.

There were Covid-shortened seasons and disruptions. And there have been injuries and times where he admits he’s been distracted from becoming the player he can be.

Davis said he just had a feeling, throughout his sophomore and junior seasons, that something was always holding him back.

“During the season I had off-the-court stuff that distanced myself from the game,” Davis readily admits. “My mind wasn’t always there in dealing with off-the-court stuff. One day I felt like I’m ready to compete, ready to go, give it my all. Some days I felt the love for basketball varied.”

But both watching Davis and talking with him has shown he’s rejuvenated and back to being focused and driven.

“Definitely feel like that weekend in Indy brought back my competitive spirit,” Davis said of the EYBL competition he faced. “Playing those top guards and seeing those names and commits, that definitely fueled my fire.”

More importantly, Davis feels invigorated and excited about the game.

“I love the game more now and my competitive spirit is back and I’m definitely ready to take that next step,” Davis said. “And that love and competitive spirit is here to stay. Just being healthy and loving the game again is great.”

Slaughter is quick to point out, though, how influential Davis was during Young’s run to a state runner-up finish in Class 4A this past March.

“Dalen went through some things during Christmas time, but our success, both in the Public League playoffs and state tournament, had a lot to do with how he played in those big games,” said Slaughter. “The way he’s playing now? He’s been outstanding. Staying healthy and on the floor is really the key for him.”

Now Davis is already looking forward to reaching goals he’s set for himself and his team. While he says he is seeking some more national attention and wants to generate more offers and interest, he also wants to be a leader for the Dolphins going forward.

“I definitely believe I am improving my stock as a point guard and as a leader with Whitney Young,” Davis said. “I have grown as a leader. I want to build a bond with my Whitney Young team this summer and get out and compete with them. I just know if I play with that competitive spirit the game will flow to me.”

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NEW YORK — Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady will join Fox Sports as its lead football analyst once his playing career ends, the network said Tuesday.

When that actually happens is unclear, because Brady recently changed his mind about retiring and said he plans to continue playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his 23rd NFL season.

Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch made the announcement during a corporate investor call on Tuesday.

“Over the course of this long-term agreement, Tom will not only call our our biggest NFL games with Kevin Burkhardt, he will also serve as an ambassador for us, particularly with respect to client and promotional initiatives,” Murdoch said.

Murdoch said it’s “entirely up to” Brady when he decides to retire from football and join Fox. Brady led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title following the 2020 season and NFC South championship last season. He teamed with coach Bill Belichick to win six Super Bowls during 20 seasons with the New England Patriots.

Fox recently lost its top football announcers, Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, to ESPN. It replaced Buck with Burkhardt.

Murdoch offered no other details on the deal.

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The Chicago White Sox entered the ninth inning with a 99.8% chance of winning the game. With an 8-2 lead in the first of the series against the Cleveland Guardians, the game looked like another easy win for the White Sox.

Then this happened.

Andres Gimenez homered off of Tanner Banks.
Amed Rosario singled on a line drive and advanced to third when Tim Anderson threw the ball away.
Austin Hedges drives in Rosario on a grounder bobbled by Yoan Moncada at third base.
Myles Straw strikes out (first out of the inning).
Steven Kwan grounds into a fielder’s choice to Moncada (two outs, 8-4 White Sox lead).
Jose Ramirez walks, and Liam Hendriks enters the game.
Owen Miller hits a line drive single to load the bases.
Josh Naylor hits a grand slam to tie the game.

The game went to extra innings and the White Sox tied the game at nine. However, the Guardians took the lead in the 11th inning on another Naylor home run and sealed the 12-9 win.

The collapse was bizarre, to say the least. Aside from being one of the most improbable comebacks, the game was odd enough considering how the White Sox have played both recently and throughout the season.

Kopech had his best start of the year

Michael Kopech has started the season as an intriguing pitcher in the White Sox rotation. While providing great innings, the right-handed starter was on an innings count, that is until tonight.

Kopech pitched six innings and allowed only one run with two hits while tossing seven strikeouts. In 91 pitches Kopech threw the fastball 55 times and wasn’t locating the pitch rather, just getting the ball over the plate, regardless of location. With a 98 miles per hour fastball, it’s going to be an effective pitch when it’s called a strike and it was in the strong start against the Guardians.

Furthermore, Kopech continued to hit the slider in the lower half of the strike zone. The pitch selection has allowed the 26-year-old pitcher to have great games in the rotation, including the recent start. Unfortunately, the start from Kopech while a big plus for the White Sox was buried by the blown lead, along with another part of the team that has suddenly shown promise.

White Sox lineup stepped up

The White Sox batting order struggled, even in the six-game winning streak. The White Sox only scored 10 runs in their sweep of the Boston Red Sox and only 20 runs in their winning streak. The lineup has struggled to start this season, making the recent loss not only frustrating but all the more absurd.

The White Sox scored four runs in the first inning, highlighted by a Gavin Sheets three-run home run. Sheets, like a lot of batters in the back half of the lineup, have struggled to start the season, slashing only .203/.247/.275 before tonight’s game. However, on a hanging slider, the multi-position left-handed hitter pulled the ball over the right-field fence.

In the eighth inning, in a frame that looked to put the game away, the White Sox scored three runs to pad the lead to six. AJ Pollock this year is more known for his fielding than his presence at the plate, slashing .176/.204/.216 before tonight’s game while putting together a respectable season in the outfield. On a 2-2 count, Pollock got the high pitch he wanted and powered the ball over the left-field fence.

Throughout the season, fans have been waiting for this type of game, hitting-wise. The back half of the lineup stepped up, which oddly enough is something to look forward to. Unfortunately, despite finally witnessing a great day at the plate, the White Sox still found a way to lose, and from the most unlikely place.

White Sox bullpen (of all things) lost the game

The White Sox bullpen has been a strength throughout the season. Despite trading Craig Kimbrel before the season started, the bullpen has proven to have more than enough arms to close out games. Matt Foster is having a big season, Reynaldo Lopez has found a major role in the bullpen, and Hendriks is closing out games.

Against the Guardians, things couldn’t be more different. Foster allowed only one run all season but allowed a run in the eighth inning. Hendriks pitched six scoreless innings entering the top of the ninth yet allowed a grand slam. The bullpen allowed four runs in extra innings, a run in the final four frames, and 11 runs in total.

These types of games from a struggling bullpen are expected. The White Sox, however, have been carried by their bullpen, a group that has all but shortened games this season. The Guardians, however, continued to get on base and more importantly, take the bullpen deep, especially Naylor, who hit two home runs with eight RBI. It was a tough loss for the White Sox and an odd one as well but one that the team has to quickly forget.

Make sure to check out our WHITE SOX forum for the latest on the team.

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Tim Anderson’s penalty from Major League Baseball for inappropriate actions during a game in Cleveland on April 20 has been reduced to a fine, according to major league sources.

The White Sox shortstop received a one-game suspension and undisclosed fine two days after making a gesture to fans on the third base side of Progressive Field during the eighth inning of an 11-1 Sox loss three weeks ago. After appealing MLB’s disciplinary action, Anderson will not be forced to miss a game.

Cameras on the White Sox broadcast showed Anderson raising a middle finger from his position on the field. Anderson made three errors during the first two innings as the Sox and pitcher Dallas Keuchel fell behind 10-0.

“I have to apologize for my actions,” Anderson said after the penalty was announced two days later. “There are a lot of people who really look up to me. I take full accountability for what I did. It’s something I have to learn from and grow from.

“Game can be tough, and you can get frustrated with things people say. But there are a lot of kids out there watching. I have to be a bigger person in that situation.”

Anderson made two errors in the Sox’ 12-9 loss to the Guardians in 11 innings at Guaranteed Rate Field Monday, his eighth and ninth of the season, which leads the majors. The Sox are tied for the MLB lead with 26 errors in 28 games.

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