What’s New

Horoscope for Sunday, July 4, 2021Georgia Nicolson July 4, 2021 at 5:01 am

Moon Alert

There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Taurus.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

You might be surprised about your possessions or finances. For example, today you might find money or you might lose money. Or perhaps something that you had misplaced is found, or, instead, you might lose something? (Yikes!) It’s a crapshoot! Double check everything.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Today the moon in your sign is lined up with unpredictable Uranus, which will make you inclined to be impulsive; plus, your mood might change quickly. Guard against doing anything rash. (You will very likely resist routine because you want to do something different and exciting.)

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

This is a restless day, which means it’s hard to stick with one task or focus on anything for too long. Your mind and your energy will flit from subject to subject, which is why it’s challenging to maintain any kind of inner discipline today. Oh well. Go with the flow.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

You might meet a real character — someone unusual or from a different background. Or possibly, someone you already know will surprise you by doing or saying something you least expect. You might suddenly change your plans for the future? It’s a restless day.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

You might be surprised at something that a parent, teacher, boss or the police do. (Whatever happens will catch you off guard.) Think twice before you react. Be smart and give the situation some sober reflection; and never forget the power of courtesy. (Oh yeah.)

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Travel plans will suddenly change. They might be canceled or delayed, or, in turn, you might have to travel when you did not expect to do so. Likewise, unexpected news from afar or something in the media might surprise you. Perhaps you will meet someone unusual? Be up for whatever happens.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Double check details related to your bank account or anything that you share jointly with someone else because something might surprise you. (Things might not be the way you expect them to be.) Possibly, someone will suggest a new arrangement? Think carefully before you agree to anything.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

You might feel rebellious by restrictions that you feel that are related to a partner or close friend. Or possibly, things are the other way around and a partner or close friend feels rebellious of the arrangement they have with you? The key is to be patient with others.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Your work routine will be interrupted by something unusual. In fact, this is an accident-prone day for work or any job that you’re doing. You might also hear surprising news that is health-related. Meanwhile, something unexpected could affect your pet. Be aware of this.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Parents should be vigilant because this is an accident-prone day for your kids. Meanwhile, you might experience a sudden cancellation of a social event or something related to sports. Conversely, you might suddenly receive an invitation?

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Your home routine will be interrupted. Be patient with family members because somebody might lose it. Family disputes, especially with females, might take place. Or a small appliance might break down? Surprise company might drop by? Yikes! Stock the fridge.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Pay attention to everything you say and do because this is an accident-prone day for your sign. However, it’s an interesting day! You might see new places, meet new faces or hear new ideas? Nevertheless, take it easy and be mindful of your actions and words.

If Your Birthday Is Today

Actor, screenwriter Tracy Letts (1965) shares your birthday. You have strong family attachments. Nevertheless, you need freedom of action because you are spontaneous and you have definite ideas. You are forever youthful. This year your spiritual values will grow as you learn new things that are important to you. In fact, you might decide to share or teach what you learn. You will definitely respect your strengths this year.

Read More

Horoscope for Sunday, July 4, 2021Georgia Nicolson July 4, 2021 at 5:01 am Read More »

Man shot to death in Woodlawn: policeSun-Times Wireon July 4, 2021 at 4:28 am

A man was shot to death Saturday night in Woodlawn on the South Side.

The 23-year-old was walking about 9:35 p.m. in the 6200 block of South Eberhart Avenue when someone fired shots, Chicago police said.

He was struck in the shoulder and collapsed to the ground, police said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

He hasn’t been identified.

No one is in custody as Area One detectives investigate.

Minutes earlier, a 17-year-old boy was critically hurt in a shooting in West Pullman. The teen was in a basement of a home with a group of people about 9:30 p.m. in the 12000 block of South Yale Avenue when someone opened fire, police said. He suffered two gunshot wounds to the head and was taken in critical condition to Christ Medical Center in Oak Law.

Read More

Man shot to death in Woodlawn: policeSun-Times Wireon July 4, 2021 at 4:28 am Read More »

Chicago Week in Beer, July 5-8on July 4, 2021 at 4:50 am

The Beeronaut

Chicago Week in Beer, July 5-8

Read More

Chicago Week in Beer, July 5-8on July 4, 2021 at 4:50 am Read More »

No Giannis, no problem: Bucks knock off Hawks, advance to NBA FinalsPaul Newberry | APon July 4, 2021 at 3:03 am

ATLANTA — The Milwaukee Bucks are headed back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1974.

They didn’t even need two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to lock up their spot.

Khris Middleton scored 32 points, including a run of 16 straight points in a decisive third quarter that carried the Bucks to a 118-107 victory over the upstart Atlanta Hawks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals Saturday night.

Milwaukee won the series 4-2, advancing to face the Suns in the NBA Finals. Game 1 is Tuesday night in Phoenix.

“It’s sweet,” said Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer, who previously guided the Hawks. “These guys have put the work in all year. They deserve to go to the finals. I couldn’t be more proud of them. I love coaching them. We’ve got more work to do.”

Trae Young returned to the Hawks lineup after missing two games with a bone bruise in his right foot, but the young star never got anything going. After both teams struggled to find the range in the first half, the Bucks suddenly couldn’t miss in the third quarter.

Especially Middleton.

Atlanta actually had a chance for its first lead of the game when Young’s behind-the-back pass gave Kevin Huerter an open look from 3-point range.

The shot rimmed out, and Middleton quickly ripped off the next 13 points to suddenly push the Milwaukee lead to 60-45.

Young broke up the one-man onslaught with a driving basket, but Middleton responded with a 3-pointer that gave him 16 straight points.

Middleton finished the quarter with 23 points, nearly outscoring the Hawks all by himself. Atlanta had 29 points in the period as Milwaukee headed to the final quarter with a commanding 91-72 lead.

Jrue Holiday added 27 points for the Bucks.

Cam Reddish, who missed much of the season with an Achilles injury, came off the bench to spark the Hawks. He scored 21 points — making six of seven 3-pointers — as the Hawks sliced a 22-point deficit down to six in the closing minutes.

But the Bucks finished it off, rekindling memories of the franchise’s early years when Milwaukee quickly became the center of the NBA world with a team led by two of the game’s greatest players, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson.

In Milwaukee’s third season in the league, the duo led the team to its only NBA title in 1971. The Bucks returned to finals three years later, only to lose to the Boston Celtics in seven games.

Robertson retired after that season and Abdul-Jabbar was dealt a year later to the Los Angeles Lakers, ending Milwaukee’s run as an elite franchise.

Now, the Bucks are back in the finals with a whole new group of stars. As they proved In the last two games against the Hawks, they’re certainly more than the Greek Freak.

With Antetokounmpo sidelined for the last two games of the series with a hyperextended left knee, the Bucks turned to his supporting cast to finish off Atlanta. Brooks Lopez had 33 points in Game 5, and three other starters scored at least 22.

Middleton and Holiday carried the load in the deciding game.

Despite a disappointing finish, the Hawks stamped themselves as a future force with a young group that knocked off the New York Knicks and t he top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers to surprisingly advance to the conference finals.

Mired at 14-20 when they fired coach Lloyd Pierce shortly before the All-Star break, Atlanta went on a run under interim coach Nate McMillan that carried the Hawks to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

The Hawks didn’t stop there, advancing to the conference finals for only the second time with Young leading the way.

After missing Games 4 and 5 with a bone bruise in his right foot, Young was cleared to play shortly before the game. The crowd went nuts when he was the introduced as the final member of the starting five.

“He’s baaaaack!” the public-address announcer screamed.

But, clearly, he wasn’t all the way back.

After a nearly week-long layoff, Young seemed tentative and all out of sorts. Sure, he flashed a bit of his old form on a couple of bursts to the basket, but five points in the first half was not at all what the Hawks had come to expect from their breakout star.

Young finished with just 14 points on 4-of-17 shooting.

UGLY HALF

Neither team seemed capable of winning in the first half.

Atlanta made only 15 of 49 shots (30.6%), including 4 of 16 from beyond the 3-point arc, with nine turnovers. The Bucks weren’t much better, connecting on 17 of 44 (38.6%) overall and just 5 of 19 outside the stripe. Milwaukee turned it over 10 times, split evenly between Middleton and Holiday.

Appropriately, the half ended with Atlanta’s Clint Capela missing right under the basket off a lob pass from Bogdan Bogdanovic, sending the Bucks to the locker room with a 47-43 lead.

PLAYING WITH THE LEAD

Amazingly, there were no lead changes over the final three games of the series.

The Hawks never trailed in Game 4, romping to a 110-88 victory. Milwaukee returned the favor in Game 5, building a 20-point lead in the first quarter and staying out front all the way in a 123-112 triumph.

It was more of the same in the deciding game, which the Bucks led from start to finish.

TIP-INS

Bucks: With the Hawks focused on doing a better job in the lane, Lopez was held to 13 points. … Bobby Portis had 12 points and nine rebounds in his second straight start for Antetokounmpo.

Hawks: Huerter, the surprising star of Atlanta’s Game 7 win over Philadelphia, closed the season with a very tough night. He had only five points on 2-of-10 shooting. … Bogdanovic had 20 points. … Atlanta finished 38 of 92 (41.3%) from the field.

Read More

No Giannis, no problem: Bucks knock off Hawks, advance to NBA FinalsPaul Newberry | APon July 4, 2021 at 3:03 am Read More »

17-year-old boy severely injured in West Pullman shootingSun-Times Wireon July 4, 2021 at 3:47 am

A 17-year-old boy was severely injured in a shooting Saturday night West Pullman on the Far South Side.

The teenager was in the basement of a home with several people about 9:30 p.m. in the 12000 block of South Yale Avenue when someone opened fire, Chicago police said.

He suffered two gunshot wounds to the head and was taken in critical condition to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, police said. He wasn’t able to communicate details on the shooting due to the severity of his injuries, according to police.

No one is in custody as Area Two detectives investigate.

Read More

17-year-old boy severely injured in West Pullman shootingSun-Times Wireon July 4, 2021 at 3:47 am Read More »

For many reasons, Fire need more wins like Saturday’s 3-0 victory over AtlantaBrian Sandalowon July 4, 2021 at 2:04 am

For all of the Fire’s off-field efforts to bolster the business side of the franchise, they have to be better on the field for that labor to really make an impact.

And Fire coach Raphael Wicky knows that.

“We are aware as coaches and as a team that, look, the first team is always the locomotive of the train,” Wicky said Wednesday. “We know that we are a very important piece of this club.”

Though both the business and soccer sides of the club have plenty of work to do, Saturday’s 3-0 win over Atlanta United won’t hurt.

Facing a shorthanded opponent, the Fire (2-7-2, eight points) got two first-half goals from Ignacio Aliseda and snapped a four-game winless streak. Aliseda also picked up the assist on Przemyslaw Frankowski’s second-half score, helping the Fire move off last place overall.

Saturday’s match was the Fire’s first home game of the year with no capacity restrictions, which allows for around 28,500 fans in the Soldier Field seating configuration the team uses. Before the match that drew an announced crowd of 14,898, the Fire unveiled Burnham Downs, a pre-game activation outside the southeast corner of the stadium that includes interactive games, food and drink options, and on Saturday a Q&A with announcers Arlo White, Tony Meola and Tyler Terens.

“The atmosphere is beautiful,” Aliseda said through a translator. “I love to play in this stadium. I love to play in front of people.”

Initiatives like the fan tailgate are worthwhile endeavors as the Fire try to reintroduce themselves to the Chicago landscape. But parties, well-received new logos and slick marketing can only go so far when the primary product is a team languishing in the lower reaches of Major League Soccer.

A few more games like Saturday would help.

“The club has done a great job in marketing and bringing the club back to the city in Soldier Field and doing a lot in social media and marketing, so they are doing a great job,” Wicky said. “But we know at the end of the day, it’s us on the field who have to deliver, who have to make people want to come back, and that’s only one way of doing that and that’s winning games and playing good football.”

Defender Boris Sekulic had a similar perspective. After last Saturday’s game against the Union, Sekulic was thankful for the fans that showed up after driving rains blanketed the area.

However, there’s one way to get more people into the building regardless of the weather.

“I’m from Europe. In Europe, if you lose eight from 10 games it’s a little bit different,” Sekulic said. “We feel [the fans’] support even when our results are bad [at] this moment. We cannot expect more people in the stadium until we start winning.”

NOTE: Captain Francisco Calvo is away on international duty with Costa Rica and did not play. Making his first start since May 8, Jonathan Bornstein served as the Fire captain in place of Calvo.

Read More

For many reasons, Fire need more wins like Saturday’s 3-0 victory over AtlantaBrian Sandalowon July 4, 2021 at 2:04 am Read More »

3 shot, 1 fatally, in Little Village shooting: policeSun-Times Wireon July 4, 2021 at 2:47 am

A man was killed and two others were wounded in a shooting Saturday in Little Village on the Southwest Side.

Officers received a call from a concerned citizen about a vehicle that was driving slow and bumping the curb about 7 p.m. in the 4200 block of South Cicero Avenue, Chicago police said. Witnesses told officers they saw a person fire shots from inside a black Audi SUV.

Responding officers found a man, about 20 years, inside the vehicle with three gunshot wounds to the torso, police said.

He was transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. He hasn’t been identified.

Two other men, 32 and 27, were struck in the arm and taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in cool condition, police said.

No one is in custody as Area One detectives investigate.

Read More

3 shot, 1 fatally, in Little Village shooting: policeSun-Times Wireon July 4, 2021 at 2:47 am Read More »

White Sox’ Dallas Keuchel ‘has problem’ with how outfielders are positionedDaryl Van Schouwenon July 4, 2021 at 1:21 am

DETROIT – Dallas Keuchel knows he didn’t pitch his finest game, and he didn’t fault center fielder Billy Hamilton for his risky attempt on Eric Haase’s liner that skipped past him for a three-run inside the park homer in the Tigers’ 11-5 win over the White Sox Saturday.

But the play scratched at a scab that has been annoying Keuchel for years – that outfielders play too deep, even in a ballpark such as Comerica Park where it’s 420 feet to the center field wall.

“Billy is out there looking out for us as pitchers and trying to make plays not only for himself but the team,” said Keuchel, whose 2-0 lead in the third disappeared as he watched Hamilton sprint to the wall, in vain, retrieving the ball. “I don’t have any problems with what happened on the play. That’s a big league play. I just have a concern because you don’t let your best athletes play anymore.”

Keuchel would rather see outfielders play shallow and cut off bloops, flares and low liners.

“But it’s a [statistical] numbers game,” he said. “You play at the wall here, but in Detroit anything over your head is going to be a [home run].

Statistical analysis says outfielders should play deeper, though.

“You have so much field to lose, everybody is concerned about giving up slugging percentage now,” he said. “I’m a ground ball pitcher, so even if I give up a hard-hit ball, it’s usually going to fall in front of somebody. Or if not, it’s going to go over the fence. So I don’t understand how some of these numbers translate to playing deep, and I’ve been having a problem with that for years. Just overall, watching the game and watching guys.”

Keuchel walked two batters before the inside the park homer, so he was asking for trouble. But the former Cy Young winner raised an interesting point.

“I mean, you could probably go back and look how many players did the outfielders have to go back on or that were close to the wall,” he said. “It’s kind of dumbfounding that night in and night out, year after year the last seven or eight years, especially in the outfield, you are willing to play deeper and let balls fall in than playing at a normal clip depending on the pitcher on the mound. It’s just, it’s very confusing to me.

“I can shift the infielders. I have free reign on that. If I shift a guy or get beat on my account, then that’s a tip of the tip. It’s disheartening when you guys giving full effort on the mound and we see bleeders in there or hard hit balls kind of go to the wall and we aren’t supposed to be playing at that wall.”

Read More

White Sox’ Dallas Keuchel ‘has problem’ with how outfielders are positionedDaryl Van Schouwenon July 4, 2021 at 1:21 am Read More »

Nico Hoerner (left hamstring) takes BP in Cincy, likely activated on SundayRussell Dorseyon July 3, 2021 at 10:57 pm

CINCINNATI – It looks like Nico Hoerner has completed his rehab assignment and is on the verge of rejoining the team. Hoerner, 24, was in Cincinnati on Saturday and took batting practice before the game. The Cubs’ second baseman had a scheduled day off after playing back-to-back nights.

Hoerner, who’s been out since May 26 with a left hamstring strain is expected to be activated before Sunday’s game. The Cubs’ second baseman has a .338/.405/.432 slash line in 21 games.

“Just getting back and checking in with the trainers and see how he feels,” Ross said. “He played back-to-back [games]. Talked to him a little bit and [he] thinks everything went well. I think he scored from first on a double the other day which is nice, tested that out. Said it feels pretty good. He’ll run through some drills today and run through the trainer’s and hopefully be ready tomorrow, Monday at the latest.”

Like Hoerner, right-hander Trevor Williams is also working his way back to Chicago after undergoing an appendectomy early last month. Williams made his second rehab start on Friday, going five innings and allowing one run on three hits with a walk and three strikeouts.

“The numbers were good,” Ross said. “I watched most of it this morning. Looked like a little bit of traffic at times. Some good sliders in there, some good breaking pitches and the changeup looked okay. Some arm-side run misses. [Didn’t quite have] the fastball command I don’t think early on. Pretty good outing, I thought.

“It’s a lot of options. Right now, I’d like to continue to give him another start and really get him stretched out. I didn’t think I would say he was locked in, in his last start. But that being said, like a pitcher of his caliber is always welcomed.

He said it

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo on Cubs recent stretch: “We’re on a skid and it’s not fun and losing sucks. We just have to come in tomorrow and be ready to play. From now until the trade deadline. You guys are going to ask questions every single day and rightfully so, because there are going to be rumors flying and stories written. But I think it’s on all of us in the clubhouse to just stay connected, stay together and take it day-by-day. Every cliche in baseball for these next 30 days, or whatever it is.”

Read More

Nico Hoerner (left hamstring) takes BP in Cincy, likely activated on SundayRussell Dorseyon July 3, 2021 at 10:57 pm Read More »

Doing the wave: Joe McEwing on point in White Sox’ third-base coaching boxDaryl Van Schouwenon July 3, 2021 at 11:13 pm

DETROIT — The third-base coach is at his best when he goes unnoticed. That’s how it has been for Joe McEwing, who returned to the box when Tony La Russa was hired to manage the White Sox this season.

If anything, McEwing’s wave work has been noted for his aggressive, successful sends. He likes being in the fire again after serving as former manager Rick Renteria’s bench coach in 2017-20.

”Your heart is beating again,” McEwing said.

McEwing does his homework before every series, studying video on the way outfielders move, throw and close on balls and noting their throwing accuracy. He takes notice of how infielders handle relay throws if they’re pulled left or right and how well they recover with accuracy.

”Visually, I have already played it through before it happens,” McEwing said. ”A lot of it depends on your baserunning, as well. Medically where they are at, where you have to push or pull back.”

”Joe is the man,” bench coach Miguel Cairo said. ”He’s so prepared. I’ve learned so much from him.”

McEwing, who coached third in 2012-16 under then-manager Robin Ventura, was hard-pressed to think of a send he wants back. One that came to mind was when Andrew Vaughn was dead to rights a couple of weeks ago against the Rays, but he lucked out when the throw got through catcher Francisco Mejia.

McEwing has interviewed for seven managerial jobs, most recently for the Hanwha Eagles of the Korean Baseball Organization last fall.

When La Russa retired from the Cardinals in 2011, McEwing was asked to interview for that job. He also has interviewed with the Mets, Diamondbacks, Rangers, Twins and Tigers.

”I told [Sox vice president] Kenny [Williams] and [general manager] Rick [Hahn] that if the opportunity presented itself [with another team], I’d be willing to listen,” McEwing said. ”But don’t think I’m pounding the pavement looking for something else out there. I’ve been fortunate to be here my whole career, with an outstanding organization that has treated me unbelievable.”

The job in Korea ”was a very intriguing opportunity,” McEwing said, ”if it made sense for my family.”

”To go over and learn a different culture and perspective, the way they go about it baseball-wise and culturally, I’m always out to learn and continue to grow,” he said.

Burr stays on roll

Reliever Ryan Burr (0.00 ERA) got squeezed — according to Statcast — on a pair of pivotal calls by umpire Tom Hallion, which resulted in the ejection of pitching coach Ethan Katz, and walked a batter with the bases loaded while trying to pitch out of starter Dallas Keuchel’s mess during the Tigers’ four-run fifth inning. But Burr struck out Miguel Cabrera and Eric Haase to extend his scoreless-innings streak to 14.

Burr has bounced back from making the Opening Day roster in 2019, then having Tommy John surgery, getting non-tendered and signing a minor-league deal.

”To be part of a team competing for a playoff spot is incredible,” he said. ”I always knew in my heart I would be back here.”

Keuchel struggles

Keuchel (6-3, 4.48 ERA) had his worst start of the season, allowing seven runs, seven hits and three walks in four-plus innings.

The pivotal play was center fielder Billy Hamilton allowing Haase’s liner to skip past him for a three-run, inside-the-park home run in the fourth. Haase added a three-run homer against reliever Jace Fry, who was making his season debut, in the seventh.

Read More

Doing the wave: Joe McEwing on point in White Sox’ third-base coaching boxDaryl Van Schouwenon July 3, 2021 at 11:13 pm Read More »