The preseason is going to be an interesting evaluation period for Bears’ rookie QB Justin Fields according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
The post Insider Hints at Chicago Bears’ Preseason Plans for Justin Fields first appeared on CHI CITY SPORTS l Chicago Sports Blog – News – Forum – Fans – Rumors.Read More
SAN DIEGO — Yu Darvish said he never envisioned himself as an ace until recently.
Well, nothing says it more than 1,500 strikeouts in 197 career starts.
Darvish struck out 11 in six brilliant innings to become the fastest big leaguer to reach 1,500 for his career, Manny Machado and Jake Cronenworth homered and the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 on Monday night in the opener of a three-game series between the NL West rivals.
“Since I’ve come here I’ve had my ups and downs, but the reason why I’m sitting here being able to talk about reaching 1,500 strikeouts is definitely because of all the support I have been given since I started my career here,” said Darvish, who came to the majors in 2012 after spending seven seasons in his native Japan.
“Just from the bottom of my heart I’m really thankful and grateful for all the support I’ve been given through the years,” said Darvish, who turns 35 on Aug. 16.
Darvish (7-2) reached 1,500 strikeouts on the nose in 197 starts. He held the Dodgers to two hits, including Mookie Betts’ solo homer, and walked just one.
The Padres improved to 5-3 this season against the Dodgers.
Darvish pitched for the Dodgers in the second half of 2017, including the World Series loss to Houston. He was obtained by the Padres in a trade with the Cubs on Dec. 29.
“I like the Dodgers as a team,” Darvish said. “I get excited facing this team so maybe there’s a little more adrenaline I would say, yes.”
After playing two entertaining series before limited-capacity crowds, this was the first time this season the teams faced each other in a full-capacity ballpark after California’s reopening plan went into effect last week. The sellout crowd of 42,220 appeared to be fairly evenly split between Dodgers and Padres fans.
The Dodgers swept the Padres in their NL Division Series last year en route to the World Series title.
Darvish’s only big mistake was allowing Betts’ homer to center with two outs in the third, his ninth. That ended a string of seven straight strikeouts for the right-hander.
Darvish notched his milestone 1,500th strikeout when he got Steven Souza Jr. looking leading off the sixth. After Cronenworth’s error at first base allowed Gavin Lux to reach with two outs, Darvish allowed just his second hit, a single by Justin Turner.
Rookie second baseman Kim Ha-seong then made a nice play on Will Smith’s hard smash to end the inning, although he injured the index finger on his throwing hand and was replaced by Cronenworth the next inning. Padres manager Jayce Tingler said X-rays on Kim’s finger were negative.
Tingler said Darvish being the quickest to 1,500 strikeouts “is unbelievably impressive. Obviously you have to be able to do that in a short period of time. For him to do everything with those strikeouts over the years, he’s got a ton of weapons. The way he spins the ball, the way he manipulates the ball, being able to get swing and miss, he’s tremendous at it.”
Darvish is known for a wide variety of breaking pitches as well as his firm fastball.
“He’s one of the best at just manipulating the baseball and getting it to do different things. That’s certainly a big factor in getting as many punchouts in a pretty short amount of time,” Tingler said.
Machado hit a three-run homer off Julio Urias (9-3) to give the Padres a 4-0 lead before the Dodgers got an out in the first. Urias allowed Tommy Pham’s leadoff double, walked Fernando Tatis Jr. and allowed Cronenworth’s opposite-field double to left before Machado drove his 11th homer to left.
Cronenworth homered to right in the fifth after Tatis hit a leadoff double to left. It was Cronenworth’s ninth.
Will Smith homered off San Diego reliever Craig Stammen in the eighth, his ninth.
Yu Darvish becomes fastest to 1,500 strikeoutson June 22, 2021 at 5:01 pm Read More »
The Chicago Bears recently added three new additions to their squad to fill out the roster heading into training camp. The team signed Tyrone Wheatley Jr., son of former NFL running back and current offensive tackle. Mike Pennel, Super Bowl champion defensive lineman, and Jake Butt, former Broncos tight end.
Chicago Bears: Grading the 3 most recent free agent signingson June 22, 2021 at 5:30 pm Read More »
This past weekend was a breath of fresh air for everyone in the high school basketball community.
There was a return to normalcy.
Players were competing in front of college coaches for the first time in almost a year and a half. High school coaches were back to teaching and preparing, knowing a true, regular season was now just five months away.
Chicago area basketball diehards were back in a gym, watching top teams and players in person rather than through a live stream on a computer.
And college coaches were evaluating, dissecting and reunited, back to the constant summer banter among friends — both basketball talk and beyond — that was probably taken for granted.
After spending three full days at the Riverside-Brookfield Shootout and the Midwest Crossroads Showcase at Normal West, there is so much to unpack from the past weekend.
Today it’s a look at some of the stellar performances from the weekend. Later this week it will be a City/Suburban Hoops Report weekend rewind, a mega-notebook with thoughts and perceptions on players, teams, recruiting and whatever came to mind from the weekend.
There were certainly some dud performances from a few high-profile players, but we’ll stick to the positive and highlight those who really shined.
Sometimes we are too focused on always looking for breakthrough performances and unknown prospects, forgetting that many of those already established household names are still trying to prove themselves.
Thus, this list of 10 prospects is a combination of both — established players who cemented their standing and a few who did truly elevate themselves from obscurity.
It’s not as if the 6-6 junior’s stock wasn’t already high — Thomas has been a Hoops Report favorite and highly-ranked prospect since his impactful freshman season two years ago. But he raised his profile to a new level among college coaches with his performance this past weekend.
It starts with the effortless shooting stroke and release out of his hand. That’s what immediately jumps out at you. If Yorkville Christian’s Jaden Schutt is the state’s best shooter, Thomas isn’t far behind. This is an elite shooter that high-major programs will be on board with sooner than later. Some already are following the weekend.
He put on a show with a 37-point performance against Proviso East and backed it up the next day hitting an array of shots from all over the floor.
Thomas keeps growing, inching his way towards a legit 6-7, maturing as a player and is finally starting to play with more assertiveness. He has size, range, an effortless shot that breeds consistency and has been billed as a baby Kyle Korver by the Hoops Report.
This is the player who made the most of the opening live period in Illinois.
There is no question the player whose stock rose the most in the eyes of the Hoops Report — and for many college coaches in attendance — was that of the overlooked big man from Mt. Vernon.
Benson headed into the summer as a City/Suburban Hoops Report top 15 prospect in the Class of 2022, so it’s not as if he was an absolute unknown. But he will vault past several bigger names in the class and into the top 10 after watching him this past weekend.
Benson is fast-approaching 6-8 and looks as if he’s not done growing yet. He plays hard, showcased an aggressiveness and confidence offensively while finishing loudly, putting down plenty of powerful dunks. He finishes at a high level at the rim.
He gets on the glass, moves well and boasts the type of athleticism that makes a difference.
Benson has gone from a low-major Division I prospect who mid-majors need to keep an eye on to a must-have mid-major/mid-major plus prospect. It’s so clear to see there is so much upside and untapped potential left in Benson.
There wasn’t a question about Henderson’s ability or the fun style he brings to the floor with the basketball in his hands. He showed that with a breakout sophomore year in this past winter’s abbreviated season. He then continued with an impactful spring in club basketball.
The debate was always going to be about this point guard’s size and how his game would translate to the next level as a college player. While there will still be plenty of doubters because he’s likely only 5-9 right now, it’s about time everyone realizes the special qualities he has that trumps the diminutive size.
Henderson has a unique way of controlling a basketball game. With the often hard-to-find blend of scoring and distributing at the point guard position, Henderson is always impacting each game he plays and putting pressure on a defense. He has a vintage game who has a knack for getting buckets.
Henderson is the type of small guard teams win with and who can, without question, play at the Division I level.
I’ve personally hyped Johnson all winter and spring, but the 5-11 point guard went out and lived up to the hyperbole all weekend long with college coaches watching. Another pint-sized lead guard, Johnson is one of the top 10 prospects in next year’s senior class.
The slick-handling Johnson dazzles with the ball, making reads and decisions off the ball screen that lead to buckets for himself or open looks for teammates. He’s always in control, doesn’t get sped up and can handle it, pass it and score the basketball.
Johnson solidified himself as a mid-major prospect.
With superstar and Player of the Year Max Christie off to Michigan State, the Rolling Meadows duo of junior Cam Christie and senior Orlando Thomas took center stage and didn’t disappoint.
Even with a familiar name and an impactful first two seasons on the high school scene, the Hoops Report has always felt that the younger Christie has been a little undervalued by most. It was just a matter of time before he proved he was a legitimate high-major talent. There is a freedom now that Christie plays with, and he’s showing that he’s more than just potential.
Christie will need to continue to add weight and strength, but it’s all starting to come together. Look for a ton of growth from the 6-5 guard over the next 12-18 months as he plays out his junior and senior years.
How about the weekend of work Thomas put in for the Mustangs? The 6-3 Thomas hit the ground running and opened eyes with his offensive potential. The lefty guard scored the basketball in a variety of ways and moved himself into the conversation of scholarship player.
Whitney Young is loaded. AJ Casey is the heralded senior prospect with high-major offers and a nationally ranking. Xavier Amos is the promising 6-7 senior who is gaining traction. And Dalen Davis is the prized junior point guard with high-major offers and interest.
Then there is Daniel Johnson, the 6-5 junior with very little fanfare. But time and time again, whether it’s been as a freshman at Fenwick, his time at Young since transferring there as a sophomore or with Meanstreets, Johnson showcases his vast potential.
Johnson’s steady progression is going to ultimately push the 6-5 forward into top 10 consideration in the Class of 2023 before it’s all said and done. He is blessed with some stretch-the-floor shooting ability and a physical profile that adds to his value. If Johnson can steady his handle and become a threat off the dribble, the stock will climb even more.
The long, lanky 6-4 point guard didn’t get a whole lot of time when watching him play with Bradley Beal Elite this past spring on the club basketball scene. But he had time to shine with his high school team this past weekend.
He may not have as big of a name on prospect lists as teammate McCaleb Rich, the athletic 6-4 junior, but Jones is rising quickly in the senior class.
Jones has a glide to him with the ball in his hands and the type of length and activity level that impresses. He handles and distributes, gets to the rim and finishes. If he can show any type of consistency with his jumper, Jones is going to gain a whole lot of interest.
The phrase “He’s got a chance” is thrown around loosely at this time of year when watching young basketball prospects, but it fits Loury.
The 6-7 junior is blessed with a raw skill package who will still need to progress as a player in putting it all together. But he’s a tantalizing talent who simply needs seasoning.
Loury can handle the basketball effectively for his size and position while showing soft touch on his shot that extends to the three-point line. There is a high-major upside for the hybrid forward who “has a chance.”
Here’s a name virtually no one knows.
The multi-dimensional 6-5 junior opened eyes and put his name on the map with his versatility on the perimeter. A late-bloomer who keeps getting better, Lowery has shown he can play multiple positions as an offensive orchestrator and as a smooth scorer at his size.
Lowery is all upside who can manipulate a defense with hesitation and deceptive moves to generate space.
After his strong showing at Riverside-Brookfield, Lowery is a junior who has put himself othe map among evaluators and college coaches.
Two men are charged with murder in connection to a robbery last year in South Shore that wounded a man and killed an 18-year-old Urban Prep Academy student.
Justin Jones, 19, and Jasper Price, 25, were arrested Monday in connection to the murder of Rashad Verner during an armed robbery on Sept. 28, Chicago police said.
Verner and a 19-year-old man were found with gunshot wounds in the 7000 block of South Paxton Avenue, police said. Verner was killed and the 19-year-old was hospitalized in fair condition.
Verner was a scholar and a star on his high school’s football team, family and friends said during a memorial service after his death.
Jones and Price are charged with murder, murder during a forcible felony and armed robbery, police said.
They were expected to appear in court Tuesday.
The Chicago Bulls have a chance to retain the 2021 first-round draft pick they traded to the Orlando Magic to acquire Nikola Vucevic, and it could help them tremendously if they retain it.
The Bulls need to hold onto their rabbit feet, knock on wood, and throw salt over their shoulders. Tonight, June 22, is the NBA draft lottery.
The Dingers crew breaks down the recent Marlins and Mets series and takes a peak ahead to the series coming up against Cleveland and the Dodgers.
The post Dingers: A Chicago Cubs Podcast – Episode 46 – Gone Fishin’ first appeared on CHI CITY SPORTS l Chicago Sports Blog – News – Forum – Fans – Rumors.Read More
Rivers Casino in Des Plaines will be the official casino of the Bears and BetRivers the team’s official sportsbook under the multiyear deal.
The Bears are 50-1 to win the Super Bowl — and they will help you place that bet.
In another sign of changing times, the Bears announced Tuesday they have agreed on a multiyear partnership that will make BetRivers the exclusive sportsbook of the Bears and Rivers Casino in Des Plaines the exclusive casino of the Bears.
“We are incredibly excited to announce BetRivers and Rivers Casino as our first multi-year exclusive partner in the Sportsbook and Casino categories,” Bears president Ted Phillips said in a statement. “We look forward to connecting with our fans in fun and unique ways through these avenues and couldn’t be prouder to be building this relationship with a hometown company.”
The Bears, like the NFL in general, have long resisted gambling-related connections. But the NFL has embraced gambling in recent years as public attitudes have changed. Last season, the Bears’ sponsorship agreement with online sportsbook PointsBet was their first ever sports betting partnership.
BetRivers and Rivers Casino will have in-stadium signage and “digital, social and print assets” as part of the deal, the Bears said in a press release.
For what it’s worth, Rivers Casino is owned by Churchill Downs Inc., which also owns Arlington Park. The Bears announced Thursday they have put in a bid to purchase the Arlington Park site in Arlington Heights, with the presumed intent of building a stadium there.
Which team will win the Cade Cunningham sweepstakes? We’ll find out Tuesday night.
The 2021 NBA Draft Lottery will be held at 7:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday night prior to the tip-off of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. All eyes will be on which team gets the No. 1 overall pick and the chance to select Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham, who’s widely expected to be taken first in the upcoming draft.
There are 14 teams with ping pong balls in the lottery, which will determine the order for the first four picks in the draft.
The Rockets, looking to rebuild after the James Harden era, hold the best odds with a 14% chance of going No. 1 and a 52.1% chance of landing in the top four. They need that pick to land in the top four, otherwise it will be conveyed to the Thunder as part of a pick swap resulting from the Russell Westbrook-Chris Paul trade.
At the other end of the spectrum, there’s the Warriors, who have just a 2.4% chance of moving into the top four. Here’s a full breakdown of the odds for all 14 teams.
The stakes will also be particularly high at the draft for the Bulls, who need their pick to fall in the top four otherwise it will be sent to the Magic as part of the Nikola Vucevic trade. There’s a 20.2% chance of that happening (including a 4.5% chance of moving up to No. 1), so it’s most likely that Orlando will end up getting that pick.
After the first four selections, the remainder of the draft order is determined by win-loss record and a series of tiebreakers. The 2021 NBA Draft will be held July 29 with coverage on ESPN and ABC.
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN
Live stream: Watch ESPN
How to watch the 2021 NBA Draft LotterySatchel Priceon June 22, 2021 at 3:15 pm Read More »
From now until the day Justin Fields gets his first start, the most pressing topic will be about the Chicago Bears quarterback situation.
