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Nico Hoerner increasing baseball activities, could be nearing rehab stintRussell Dorseyon June 25, 2021 at 3:25 am

Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images

Hoerner is slashing .338/.405/.432 in 21 games this season

LOS ANGELES — The Cubs haven’t been the same since second baseman NicoHoerner went down with a strained left hamstring at the end of May.The correlation between his presence in the lineup and their success in May on both offense and defense can’t be understated.

Now, almost a month after Hoerner landed on the injured list, he and the Cubs are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

Hoerner has dramatically increased his baseball activity over the last few weeks as he continues work back. On Thursday, he stood in and saw pitches during starter Trevor Williams’ bullpen session. He also ran the bases for the second day in a row — a big step before a rehab assignment and eventual return.

“I don’t have a [return] day, but it’s getting better for sure,”Hoerner said. “Still progressing. It was a four-to-six-week injury, and four weeks was Tuesday. So I think we’re at the right pace.”

All he can do now is continue to show he can handle the workload.

“I think the main thing is he’s on track to continue to move on to the next phase,” manager David Ross said. “[Thursday] was a heavy run day.We’ll see how he presents [Friday]. With a leg injury, it’s always the next day with a lot of these guys, but everybody’s moving along really nicely.”

Steele to start Iowa stint

Rookie left-hander Justin Steele threw a bullpen session in Los Angeles on Monday and is headed to Triple-A Iowa to begin a rehab assignment. Steele was one of the Cubs’ most reliable relievers earlier in the season before landing on the IL in May. He’s 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA in 11 games this year.

He said it

Cubs outfielder Joc Pederson on receiving his World Series ring from last year with the Dodgers: “It’s pretty special. We had a group of guys that worked extremely hard and accomplished something special.It’s something that is in the history books, and we’ll remember forever. Just gonna try my best to enjoy it and take in the moment. Obviously I didn’t get to have a celebration with all the fans for the World Series, which is unfortunate. So [I’ll] just embrace all the memories that we had.”

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Nico Hoerner increasing baseball activities, could be nearing rehab stintRussell Dorseyon June 25, 2021 at 3:25 am Read More »

Scottie Pippen dishes on his relationship with Michael JordanZ Pon June 25, 2021 at 2:24 am

Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen dishes on his relationship with Michael Jordan off the court and had some interesting things to say.

The post Scottie Pippen dishes on his relationship with Michael Jordan first appeared on CHI CITY SPORTS l Chicago Sports Blog – News – Forum – Fans – Rumors.Read More

Scottie Pippen dishes on his relationship with Michael JordanZ Pon June 25, 2021 at 2:24 am Read More »

Man dies in Southwest Side shootingSun-Times Wireon June 25, 2021 at 1:19 am

A man was fatally shot June 24, 2021, on the Southwest Side.
A man was fatally shot June 24, 2021, on the Southwest Side. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times file

Officers responded to shots fired about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 2800 block of West 85th Street and found the 21-year-old in a parked vehicle, Chicago police said.

A man was killed in a shooting Wednesday in Wrightwood on the Southwest Side.

Officers responded to shots fired about 11:30 p.m. in the 2800 block of West 85th Street and found the 21-year-old in a parked vehicle, Chicago police said.

The man was unresponsive and had gunshot wounds to his head, back and rib area, police said. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead at 3:56 a.m. Thursday, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

He was identified as Myles Mackey, who lived in the neighborhood where he was shot, the medical examiner’s office said.

No arrests have been reported. Area One detectives are investigating.

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Man dies in Southwest Side shootingSun-Times Wireon June 25, 2021 at 1:19 am Read More »

Chicago comedy calendar for Thursday, June 24-Sunday, June 27, 2021on June 24, 2021 at 11:35 pm

Comedians Defying Gravity

Chicago comedy calendar for Thursday, June 24-Sunday, June 27, 2021

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Chicago comedy calendar for Thursday, June 24-Sunday, June 27, 2021on June 24, 2021 at 11:35 pm Read More »

“Perhaps the best thing about Kass leaving the Tribune is that Chicago currently has no conservative newspaper columnist.”on June 25, 2021 at 12:02 am

The Barbershop: Dennis Byrne, Proprietor

“Perhaps the best thing about Kass leaving the Tribune is that Chicago currently has no conservative newspaper columnist.”

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“Perhaps the best thing about Kass leaving the Tribune is that Chicago currently has no conservative newspaper columnist.”on June 25, 2021 at 12:02 am Read More »

Downstate man is first to be arrested for assaulting media during U.S. Capitol breachJon Seidelon June 24, 2021 at 10:54 pm

Shane Jason Woods | U.S. District Court records

Shane Jason Woods, 43, is also accused of assaulting a U.S. Capitol police officer who had been pursuing another individual who sprayed officers with bear mace.

Federal prosecutors announced Thursday that a man from downstate Auburn is the first to be arrested for assaulting a member of the news media during the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol breach that interrupted the Electoral College vote.

Shane Jason Woods, 43, is also accused of assaulting a U.S. Capitol police officer who had been pursuing another individual who sprayed officers with bear mace. And a month before the breach, he allegedly wrote a chilling message about the results of the 2020 election to someone who told him on Facebook, “I want to see all those a—hats go to jail too.”

“Hung,” Woods allegedly replied on Dec. 1.


U.S. District Court records
Shane Jason Woods

Woods is now charged with assault on a law enforcement officer, assault in a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction, and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds. He is at least the 11th person from Illinois charged in connection with the riot at the U.S. Capitol, and he was due in court Thursday afternoon.

A 29-page criminal complaint alleges Woods is the owner of Auburn Heating and Air. It also reveals that two people identified Woods for the FBI. One taught at a college Woods attended in the early 2000s and reached out to the feds. The other person was one of his customers.

Attempts on Thursday afternoon to reach Woods or a representative of Auburn Heating and Air were not immediately successful.

Authorities determined Woods was a man seen on video at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 who wore a black North Face jacket, an Under Armour backpack and a mostly black baseball cap with a stars-and-stripes brim and “Trump” written across the front.

Officers were trying to contain a large crowd of protesters at the northwest corner of the U.S. Capitol around 2:10 p.m. that day, according to the complaint. When they tried to arrest a struggling protester, someone sprayed the officers with bear mace.

An officer tried to run after the person who sprayed the mace, though much of her visor had been covered with it, according to the feds. That’s when Woods allegedly can be seen on video running toward the officer, tripping her and pushing her to the ground.


U.S. District Court records
The alleged assault by Shane Jason Woods on a U.S. Capitol police officer.

The officer fell, lost her helmet and was surrounded by protesters until another officer could help her, authorities said.

Later, around 5 p.m., the feds say several protesters gathered around a media staging area on the northeast side of the U.S. Capitol and began destroying equipment. Woods can allegedly be seen on video climbing over a toppled fence to help attack the media’s equipment, picking up and tossing some of it.

The feds say Woods was also caught on video running into and tackling a cameraman who was facing away from him, “departing quickly” after he did so.

Investigators tracked several charges made to the Auburn Heating and Air Conditioning small business checking account around Washington between Jan. 5 and 7, according to the complaint. They included purchases at Taco Bell and on the Washington, D.C., Metro system, as well as at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel.

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Downstate man is first to be arrested for assaulting media during U.S. Capitol breachJon Seidelon June 24, 2021 at 10:54 pm Read More »

Family of pregnant mother severely injured during Woodridge tornado launches GoFundMe for helpManny Ramoson June 24, 2021 at 11:43 pm

Katie Wilson and her daughter.
Katie Wilson and her daughter. | Provided

Katie Wilson was gathering her family into their basement during the suburban tornado when a tree broke through her home and landed on her — severely injuring her and killing her unborn child.

Katie Wilson was in her Woodridge home with her husband, Brian, and 4-year-old daughter Sunday night when her phone set off an alert that a tornado was about to touch down in their suburban community.

She started corralling her family to get them in the basement for safety. First her husband went down the stairs; then he grabbed their daughter. When it was her turn to run down the stairs, a tree crashed into their home and through their roof — landing on the mother.

Katie Wilson was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, where she underwent surgery for her severe injuries. She was also seven months pregnant with a baby boy, but the unborn child did not survive.

“She is a loving mother to her daughter and to her husband Brian,” Nick Vanek, her brother, told the Chicago Sun-Times on Thursday. “She is a great sister to me and our other sister, an outstanding daughter and a teacher who works with special needs students. She is overall an outstanding individual.”

Vanek said Katie Wilson has since been air-lifted to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she has a team of doctors and specialists looking after her and to undergo more surgery. She was somewhat responsive for the first time Thursday morning since the ordeal, but she is still not aware that she lost her unborn child.

“The doctors are still monitoring her closely with the main goal of keeping her rested. We are just waiting for next steps right now,” Vanek said. “Brian [Wilson] hasn’t left her side since all of this happened and is at the hospital right now. He is staying strong as we all are.”

Her family has created a GoFundMe to help cover “mounting medical bills as well as funeral expenses for their unborn son.” They have already raised $78,240 of their $100,000 goal in just over 24 hours.

“It is so hard to put into words the amount of support and outreach we are receiving from friends, families and even strangers,” Vanek said. “It’s overwhelming, but in a good way, and shows how much of an impact Katie has had in other people’s lives, her community and area at large. We are just incredibly thankful.”

On Sunday just after 11 p.m., a tornado touched down near Route 53 and 75th Street in Woodridge, according to the National Weather Services. The tornado, with winds reaching 135 mph, also hit portions of Naperville, Downers Grove, Darien and Burr Ridge. Hundred-year-old trees were ripped from their roots, cars were smashed, roofs of homes were blown off and debris was launched thousands of feet into the air.

Fire Chief Keith Krestan, of the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District, confirmed that a person who fit Wilson’s description was transported by an advance life support ambulance following the tornado but couldn’t provide any more details to the Sun-Times.

In Woodridge, approximately 380 homes suffered some type of damage, with 156 homes having major damage and 28 homes were completely destroyed, according to village officials. There were also 6,429 power outages until about 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

The damage in nearby Naperville was just as bad, with 231 buildings having some damage. One home was destroyed, 19 were declared uninhabitable, 143 suffered major damage and 68 had minor problems.

Vanek asked people to keep their thoughts and prayers with Katie during this difficult time.

“We are all very hopeful for the best possible outcome for Katie,” Vanek said.

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Family of pregnant mother severely injured during Woodridge tornado launches GoFundMe for helpManny Ramoson June 24, 2021 at 11:43 pm Read More »

No fireworks shows at Navy Pier over 4th of July weekendTom Schubaon June 24, 2021 at 10:01 pm

Fireworks near Navy Pier on July 4, 2017.
Sun-Times file photo

Navy Pier won’t host its beloved fireworks shows on July 3 or July 4 but will offer family-friendly programming and activities, including live music and dance performances.

Navy Pier’s Fourth of July festivities will go off without a bang again this year after organizers announced Thursday that fireworks won’t be part of its two-day celebration.

Navy Pier won’t host its beloved fireworks shows on July 3 or July 4, according to a news release that blamed “the previously unknown status of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chicago this summer and its impact on the Pier’s ability to successfully plan for the large-scale celebration in advance.”

The pier will instead offer family-friendly programming and activities, including live music and dance performances, according to the release. Guests can also enjoy attractions that weren’t open last year, like the iconic Centennial Wheel and other rides and attractions.

This marks the second straight year Navy Pier has nixed its 15-minute Fourth of July fireworks displays.

“Planning for this celebration would have needed to begin in March to procure necessary regional and federal security resources and develop a comprehensive plan to safeguard the well being of the more than 100,000 guests who visit the Pier that day in anticipation of the only formal fireworks show in the city,” the release states.

“Given the short lead time following the recent announcement of Illinois and Chicago’s respective Phase 5 reopening plans, the Pier was unable to begin preparations in time to ensure a successful celebration this year.”

Fireworks will resume at Navy Pier on July 7, with shows planned every Wednesday and Saturday through Labor Day weekend.

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No fireworks shows at Navy Pier over 4th of July weekendTom Schubaon June 24, 2021 at 10:01 pm Read More »

Catcher Yasmani Grandal is batting .172 and finding ways to be valuable to White SoxDaryl Van Schouwenon June 24, 2021 at 9:00 pm

“I’m going to continue to do whatever it is that I need to do. If that’s walking and getting on base, then I’m going to walk and get on base until I get my pitch to hit,” White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal said.
“I’m going to continue to do whatever it is that I need to do. If that’s walking and getting on base, then I’m going to walk and get on base until I get my pitch to hit,” White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal said. | Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

“He’s a very intelligent guy and one of the most focused guys on his job I’ve been around,” coach Jerry Narron says.

White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal has such a weird batting line, especially for someone who, according to advanced metrics, is rated among the major leagues’ top catchers and is getting a fair amount of love from All-Star voters.

Fans voting for the All-Star Game haven’t been dissuaded from checking the box by Grandal, who takes a .172 average, .383 on-base percentage and .401 slugging percentage into the Sox “Reopening Night” game against the Mariners Friday. At last count, Grandal trailed only Salvador Perez in votes for American League catchers despite a batting average well below the Mendoza (.200) line.

A .237 career hitter who was an All-Star with the Dodgers in 2015 and Brewers in 2018, the switch-hitter with slug is the Sox’ third-best position player per FanGraphs wins above replacement behind Yoan Moncada and Tim Anderson, and just now he seems to be finding a rhythm at the plate.

Grandal hasn’t won a Gold Glove, which is “really surprising” to major league instructor Jerry Narron.

“I know it’s something he’d like to do,” Narron said.

Although ranked 28th in the majors in pitch framing, Grandal was fourth in each of the previous two seasons and is improving since returning to his normal catching stance after shifting to one knee following a knee injury in spring training. His .241 caught stealing percentage (22 of 29) ranks third behind Martin Maldonado (.450) and Perez (.350) in the AL, but his five passed balls are second only to Christian Vazquez of the Red Sox. Grandal has five errors, three of them on catcher’s interference calls in April that Narron also relates to the one-knee stance (which extends the mitt farther). Pitch blocking isn’t Grandal’s strong suit, but not uncommon for good framers focused on that particular skill, Narron said.

Grandal is an ultra-selective hitter who always appears to be looking for a walk — his 54 bases on balls are second only to Joey Gallo, with 72 fewer plate appearances — but he is productive and can be dangerous. He gets on base, his hard-hit rates are high, and he rarely swings out of the strike zone. Grandal has only 27 hits, including 11 homers and three doubles and an average of one single a week.

Put it all together, though, and a 127 weighted runs created plus metric is right below the 128 of Perez among catchers.

The first phase of All-Star voting concluded Thursday and results will be announced Sunday. The top three at each position advance to the final phase.

Narron would consider Grandal’s intangibles if he had a vote.

“His experience with the Dodgers and Brewers postseason clubs is tremendous for us,” Narron said.

“He’s very prepared, he has a really good idea how to pitch guys and what our pitchers can and can’t do. He’s a very intelligent guy and one of the most focused guys on his job I’ve been around. He wants to do well on both sides of the ball. He takes a lot of pride in the defense.”

Trying to help the Sox get out of their longest losing streak of the season, Grandal hit a pinch three-run homer Tuesday to give them a lead over the Pirates — who eventually won — and hit a tie-breaking two-run double Wednesday in a 4-3 win.

“It’s starting to feel better and better,” Grandal said after coming through with a walk-off single against the Rays last week. “It just seems like every time I smoke a ball, it’s right at somebody.

“I’m going to continue to do whatever it is that I need to do. If that’s walking and getting on base, then I’m going to walk and get on base until I get my pitch to hit.”

NOTE: Friday is Reopening Night at Guaranteed Rate Field, open to full capacity for the first time since 2019. Plans include a Country Music Night theme, postgame fireworks and the Sox wearing their City Connect uniforms.

MARINERS AT SOX

Friday: Yusei Kikuchi (4-3, 3.46) vs. Carlos Rodon (6-2, 1.83), 7:10 p.m., NBCSCH, 1000-AM

Saturday: Logan Gilbert (2-2, 4.50) vs. Lance Lynn (7-3, 2.14), 1:10 p.m., NBCSCH, 1000-AM

Sunday: Marco Gonzales (1-4, 5.10) vs. Dallas Keuchel (6-2, 3.98), 1:10 p.m., NBCSCH, 1000-AM

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Catcher Yasmani Grandal is batting .172 and finding ways to be valuable to White SoxDaryl Van Schouwenon June 24, 2021 at 9:00 pm Read More »