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Horoscope for Sunday, May 9, 2021on May 9, 2021 at 5:01 am

Moon Alert

Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Chicago time. After that, the moon moves from Aries into Taurus.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

On the whole, this is an upbeat, powerful day for you because for most of this day, the moon is in your sign; plus, it’s dancing with lucky Jupiter! This makes you feel optimistic and exuberant! (Check moon alert for shopping warnings.)

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

This is a favorable time for you with both the sun and your ruler, fair Venus, in your sign. This is why you feel so friendly and sociable with everyone. Because you have a warm feeling in your tummy, you will enjoy your own solitude.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Part of you wants to hide, while the other part of you wants to get out and chat to everyone. No doubt, your involvement with groups and organizations will be positive. In particular, you might be involved in a charitable enterprise.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

You make a favorable impression on others, which is why people admire you and might be talking about you. (Creative and artistic friends are also in the picture.) This is a good day to go after what you want because Mars in your sign gives you an edge!

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Today you need to shake things up a bit because you want to do something different. You want to break free from your daily routine. Ideally, you would love to travel. Go someplace you’ve never been before, and be pro-active about going after what you want.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

You’re in an adventurous frame of mind, which is why travel and adventure will appeal to you. However, when it comes to financial matters, you feel so generous, you’re tempted to give away the farm. (Generosity is a good thing, but remember your own self interests.)

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Because the moon is opposite your sign, you have to be cooperative with others. Be prepared to go more than halfway. You will come out smelling like a rose because at this time, issues, especially financial matters, will tend to go your way!

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

This is a solid day. Issues related to partners and close friends are warm and supportive. Meanwhile, business related to your job or a pet or your health will also be affirming and positive, which pretty much gives you the green light for today — except for the moon alert.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

You’re in work mode, because you want to get better organized. You want to improve your health as well. Today, however, you want to play! Fortunately, physical sports and exercise will fill the bill for you. (You can improve yourself while having fun!)

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Because this is a fun-loving, playful day, you might entertain at home or several people might spontaneously gather where you live. The purpose of this gathering could be for fun, for education or for charitable purposes. (Just your bubble.)

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Look around you. Everything you see began with a thought. Because you are optimistic and inclined to believe in your ideas, who knows where this may lead? Remember: Everything begins with a thought. (Check the moon alert before you make a decision.)

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

This is a good money day for you. You might see ways to boost your earnings or you might attract money to you. However, if you are spending money or making financial decisions, check the moon alert. This is a positive day for you!

If Your Birthday Is Today

Actress Rosario Dawson (1979) shares your birthday. You are honest, open and direct. Not only are you practical, you have a wonderful, artistic imagination. As your new year begins, you are entering a time of new beginnings and fresh starts. Be open to letting go of old habits and habitual patterns in your life. Consider new ways of doing things because this year will bring you fresh opportunities.

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Horoscope for Sunday, May 9, 2021on May 9, 2021 at 5:01 am Read More »

White Sox starting rotation stays on rollDaryl Van Schouwenon May 9, 2021 at 2:15 am

Lance Lynn pitched five scoreless innings against the Royals Saturday night. (AP) | Getty

Lance Lynn pitches five scoreless innings, White Sox starters extend scoreless streak to 25 1/3

Who needs a lineup at full strength with pitching like this?

With Eloy Jimenez missing since spring training and Luis Robert since this week with injuries that will sideline the slugging outfielders through most if not all of the season, much more will be asked of the White Sox pitching staff.

They appear to be up to the task of pitching their team into the postseason, as planned.

In a 9-1 victory over the Royals Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium, the Sox’ 10th win in their last 14 games, Lynn (3-1) pitched five scoreless innings to extend the Sox starting rotation’s scoreless innings streak to 25 1⁄3 innings. Lynn, still working his way back to full speed in his second start since coming off the IL with a strained trapezius, called it a day after 90 pitches. He walked four, but allowed only one hit and struck out six.

The streak, which started with the last 1 1⁄3 innings of Lucas Giolito’s start against the Indians Sunday and carried on by Dylan Cease (six), Dallas Keuchel (six), Carlos Rodón (six) and Lynn, has seen Sox starters combine for 28 strikeouts and 10 hits allowed. It demonstrates how good it can be.

Sox starters have the lowest ERA in the majors at 2.68.

“Every team I’ve been on that had great postseason runs had quality starting pitching,” Lynn said. “You have to have five, six, seven guys who give you quality innings. We’re not afraid to get after each other to push each other from start to start to be the best we can be.”

Pitching coach Ethan Katz knows he is working with a potentially special group one through five, but 31 games into his first season on the job Katz steered clear from touting it as more than a rotation that gives the Sox a very good chance to win every night.

Which is something the Sox (18-13) haven’t had in a long time.

“When the season’s over and things go right, then I’ll be excited,” Katz said before the game. “I just go day by day. I’m happy with where they’re at. I know there are going to be bumps in the road and it’s how fast we can get back on track is the biggest thing. I’m happy with where they’re at right now. That’s for sure.”

If a rotation is as good as its weakest link, consider this: Carlos Rodon (0.58 ERA) has been one of the best in baseball and Dylan Cease (2.38 ERA) has put two straight scoreless outings together, and they were the No. 5 and No. 4 starters going into the season. The top three of Lucas Giolito, Lynn and Dallas Keuchel all received Cy Young votes last season.

Giolito’s ERA is 4.99 but 3.03 throwing out his one-inning, seven-run fiasco in Boston, Keuchel (3.79 ERA) has a 2.25 ERA over his last four starts and Lynn’s ERA is 1.57.

And Michael Kopech, who pitched two innings of relief, allowing a run, is waiting in the wings if needed, perhaps for a third start in a doubleheader Friday against the Royals at home. After throwing 28 pitches, Kopech went to the bullpen for more work, possibly building up his workload in advance of another start.

After the Sox erupted for eight runs in the first inning, the offensive highlight was four walks for Yasmani Grandal, a .121 hitter whose 13 walks in four games tied the most of any four-game span in the modern era (Babe Ruth and Bryce Harper are the others), a good news/bad news showing of the hit and miss offense that pelted the Reds with nine runs Tuesday night and got no runs on two hits the next afternoon.

Pitching might have to carry the day. And the season.

”We know guys are hurt,” Lynn said. “But you have to take it one inning at a time. We can’t think, ‘We have to be great.’ And if we do that we’re going to be fine.”

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White Sox starting rotation stays on rollDaryl Van Schouwenon May 9, 2021 at 2:15 am Read More »

Matt Duffy’s clutch single helps Cubs break .500 with 5th straight winon May 8, 2021 at 11:29 pm

Good performances from a team’s role players are often the difference between getting above .500 and staying there.

That’s been a struggle for the Cubs all season, but Saturday’s 3-2 win over the Pirates gave them a winning record for the first time since they were 10-9 on April 23. The Cubs were lifted by two such role players as they extended their winning streak to five games.

Eric Sogard, filling in at second base with Nico Hoerner on the injured list, hit a game-tying sacrifice fly in the fourth inning. In the seventh inning, pinch-hitter Matt Duffy singled in the game-winning run.

“Championship baseball teams, it’s going to take 26 to 30 guys, plus, throughout a season to contribute, and I think that’s a sign of a well-rounded baseball team. We’re deep on the bench,” manager David Ross said.

Duffy has been hot lately; he drove in a run in Friday’s win over the Pirates, and he has at least one hit in four of the seven games he’s played this month. On the season, he’s hitting .309, mostly coming off of the bench.

“He’s been huge,” Ross said. “I guess that’s an understatement. I don’t know what else to say, I mean just the consistent at-bat, whether he starts, whether he comes off the bench, righty or lefty. When he’s been on the field and healthy, he’s been a pretty productive player.”

Offensively, the Cubs have shifted to small ball of late. Going back to the sixth inning of Wednesday’s game against the Dodgers, their last 16 hits as a team have all been singles. Their first run on Saturday came via Willson Contreras getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded after filling the bags with two singles and a walk.

“It feels like a little bit of old-school baseball,” Ross said. “Guys are getting on, taking the extra base, getting a single.

“It’s kind of one of those signature good baseball team things, when you’re able to create some runs without hitting a lot of homers.”

In the early weeks of the season when the wind at Wrigley blows in and gametime temperatures stay low, manufactured runs are at a premium.

The Cubs scored their winning run on Jason Heyward’s heads-up baserunning. Leading off the seventh inning, he drew a walk and stole second, putting him in scoring position when Duffy came up to bat.

“He won the game with his at-bat and his baserunning,” Duffy said of Heyward.

Late in a tie game at home, Heyward said he was committed to trying to score from second if Duffy was able to put the ball in play.

Duffy’s single dropped in front of center fielder Wilmer Difo, who has spent much of his career playing in the infield, and he hesitated on the throw to home. This gave Heyward the extra inch he needed to slide safely for the game-winning run.

“I think we do and all of us appreciate and understand that it’s huge when you can take what the game gives you,” Heyward said. “Take those little knocks, fight out at-bats, get the next guy up, come up in a big spot.”

The Cubs were helped by role-players on the pitching staff as well. Keegan Thompson earned his first career win, pitching three scoreless innings in relief of starter Trevor Williams.

An elevated pitch count wrought by five hits, two walks, and a lot of deep counts limited Williams to four innings.

Williams’ short outing marked the 14th time this season a Cubs starter has pitched four or fewer innings. That leads the National League, and they are tied with the Blue Jays for the MLB lead.

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Matt Duffy’s clutch single helps Cubs break .500 with 5th straight winon May 8, 2021 at 11:29 pm Read More »

Cubs reliever Rex Brothers tells David Ross to give him a push when necessaryon May 8, 2021 at 10:34 pm

Injuries kept Rex Brothers on and off of major-league rosters for the last six years, but in his second season with the Cubs, he feels like he’s back on track.

Not just because he’s healthy again, but because he has a different perspective on being a major-league pitcher. Much of this has come from the birth of his twin sons three years ago.

“They went through quite the battle in the NICU in 2018,” Brothers said. “Since then, it’s been a lot easier to keep baseball where it needs to be.”

Cubs manager David Ross is learning from Brothers, too. It’s common for most players to be good at self-motivating, but few are willing to approach a manager and ask for an extra push.

“Let me know when you need more out of me,” Brothers said of his conversation with Ross. “If you see me slacking, flat out tell me, ‘Hey, I need you to pick it up here or just be better.’ Throughout my life, I feel like I respond better that way.

Brothers’ openness to an external push goes back to his rookie season with the Rockies in 2011. Back then, first baseman Todd Helton would get his attention on the mound when he saw an inning getting away or Brothers falling behind in the count too often.

Brothers told Ross about that experience and asked that he approach him the same way.

“Sometimes guys just need a kick in the rear end, and pushed a little bit harder, and can handle a little more honesty than you give them credit for,” Ross said.

After earning his first save since 2013 on Friday, Brothers has a 3.00 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 12 innings through 17 appearances.

HBP on the rise

The number of batters hit by a pitch has increased steadily for decades. Since the mid-1990s, it has grown by about 40 per year. In 2019, MLB had its highest rate since 1900.

This year has not bucked that trend. Ross believes that some of the spike this season is because of how younger pitchers spent the last year.

“You’re throwing indoors, sometimes into a net, maybe not even a catcher, and a lot of times not to a hitter,” Ross said. “You’re just throwing and getting data from the Rapsodos and the Trackmans and all the technology and trying to spin it rather than competing to zones with hitters.”

Add increased velocity and decreased control, and it has become a scary situation for hitters. Ross said he’s had some informal conversations with people around the league about keeping batters safe. One idea that has come up is something that would mimic high-sticking penalties in hockey.

But ultimately Ross thinks it boils down to pitchers improving their command.

“We’ve emphasized pitch data a lot in our game right now, instead of maybe just getting outs and pitchability. That has factored into it,” Ross said.

Injury updates

Starter Jake Arrieta and infielder Nico Hoerner both continued rehab work Saturday. Arrieta went on the 10-day injured list on May 4 with a right thumb abrasion; he threw a bullpen session. Hoerner hit the 10-day IL on May 3 with a left forearm strain and did infield drills before Saturday’s game.

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Cubs reliever Rex Brothers tells David Ross to give him a push when necessaryon May 8, 2021 at 10:34 pm Read More »

New Climate Normalson May 8, 2021 at 9:30 pm

Chicago Weather Watch

New Climate Normals

©2021 CTMG – A Chicago Tribune website –
Crafted by the News Apps team

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New Climate Normalson May 8, 2021 at 9:30 pm Read More »

Virtual World’s Continuation Means Golden Age for Transcription Appson May 8, 2021 at 9:55 pm

The Patriotic Dissenter

Virtual World’s Continuation Means Golden Age for Transcription Apps

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Virtual World’s Continuation Means Golden Age for Transcription Appson May 8, 2021 at 9:55 pm Read More »

Lloyd Price, singer and early rock influence, dies at 88Associated Presson May 8, 2021 at 8:06 pm

Lloyd Price appears backstage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, in New York on March 14, 2011. | AP

Lloyd Price, an early rock ’n roll star and enduring maverick whose hits included such up-tempo favorites as “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” “Personality” and the semi-forbidden “Stagger Lee,” has died. He was 88.

NEW YORK — Singer-songwriter Lloyd Price, an early rock ‘n roll star and enduring maverick whose hits included such up-tempo favorites as “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” “Personality” and the semi-forbidden “Stagger Lee,” has died. He was 88.

Price died Monday at a long-term care facility in New Rochelle, New York, of complications from diabetes, his wife, Jacqueline Price, told The Associated Press on Saturday.

Lloyd Price, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, was among the last survivors of a post-World War II scene in New Orleans that anticipated the shifts in popular music and culture leading to the rise of rock in the mid-1950s. Along with Fats Domino and David Bartholomew among others, Price fashioned a deep, exuberant sound around the brass and swing of New Orleans jazz and blues that placed high on R&B charts and eventually crossed over to white audiences.

Price’s nickname was “Mr. Personality,” fitting for a performer with a warm smile and a tenor voice to match. But he was far more than an engaging entertainer. He was unusually independent for his time, running his own record label even before such stars as Frank Sinatra did the same, holding on to his publishing rights, and serving as his own agent and manager. He would often speak of the racial injustices he endured, calling his memoir “sumdumhonkey” and writing on his Facebook page during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests that behind his “affable exterior” was “a man who is seething.”

Born in Kenner, Louisiana, one of 11 siblings, Price had been singing in church and playing piano since childhood. He was in his late teens when a local DJ’s favorite catchphrase, “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” helped inspire him to write his boundary-breaking first hit, which he worked on in his mother’s fried fish restaurant.

Featuring Domino’s trademark piano trills, “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” hit No. 1 on the R&B charts in 1952, sold more than 1 million copies and became a rock standard, covered by Elvis Presley and Little Richard among others. But Price would have mixed feelings about the song’s broad appeal, later remembering how local officials in what was still the Jim Crow South resisted letting both Black people and white people attend his shows. Price was drafted and spent the mid-1950s in military service in Korea. He began a career restart with the 1957 ballad “Just Because,” and hit the top with the brassy, pop-oriented “Stagger Lee,” one of the catchiest, most celebratory songs ever recorded about a barroom murder.

Written by Price, “Stagger Lee” was based on a 19th century fight between two Black men — Lee Shelton, sometimes known as Stag Lee, and Billy Lyons — that ended with Shelton shooting and killing his rival. Their ever-changing legend was appearing in songs by the 1920s, and has inspired artists ranging from Woody Guthrie and Duke Ellington to Bob Dylan and the Clash.

Price’s version opened with a few spoken words that had the understated tension of a crime novel: “The night was clear, the moon was yellow, and the leaves came tumbling … down.” The band jumps in and Price shouts out the story of Stagger Lee and Billy fighting over a game of dice, concluding with a bullet from Stagger Lee’s 44 passing through Billy and breaking the bartender’s glass. “Go Stagger Lee!” a chorus chants throughout.

The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart early in 1959, but not everyone was entertained. “American Bandstand” host Dick Clark worried the song was too violent for his teen-centered show and pressed Price to revise it: For “Bandstand” watchers and some future listeners, Stagger Lee and Billy peacefully resolve their dispute.

“I had to go make up some lyrics about Stagger Lee and Billy being in some kind of squabble about a girl,” Price told Billboard in 2013. “It didn’t make any sense at all. It was ridiculous.”

Price followed with the top 10 hits “Personality” and “I’m Going To Get Married” and the top 20 songs “Lady Luck” and “Question.” He fared no better than many of his contemporaries once the Beatles arrived in the U.S. in 1964, but he found his way into other professions through a wide range of friends and acquittances. He lived for a time in the same Philadelphia apartment complex as Wilt Chamberlain and Joe Frazier and, along with boxing promoter Don King, helped stage the 1973 “Thrilla in Manila” between Frazier and Muhammad Ali and the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” championship fight between Ali and George Foreman. He was also a home builder, a booking agent, an excellent bowler and the creator of a line of food products.

His career in music continued, sporadically. He and his business partner Harold Logan started a label in the early 1960s, Double L Records, that gave an early break to Wilson Pickett, and they also ran a New York nightclub. But after Logan was murdered, in 1969, Price became so disheartened he eventually moved to Nigeria and didn’t return until the 1980s. He would become a favorite on oldies tours, performing with Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis among others.

He settled in New York with his wife, but was not forgotten back home. A street in Kenner was renamed Lloyd Price Avenue and for years Kenner has celebrated an annual Lloyd Price Day.

Price would credit clean living and steady focus for his endurance.

“I never drank, smoked, used drugs or had bad habits,” he told interviewer Larry Katz in 1998. “I’d drive a taxi cab to get me the food I need to live. I never was starstruck. I had 23 hit records and I never looked for the next record to hit. I never had that need that they had to be somebody. I just wanted to be.”

___

Dalton reported from Los Angeles.

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Lloyd Price, singer and early rock influence, dies at 88Associated Presson May 8, 2021 at 8:06 pm Read More »

Firefighters battle Uptown blazeSun-Times Wireon May 8, 2021 at 8:42 pm

A Chicago Fire Department truck.
A fire was reported May 8, 2021, in Uptown. | Sun-Times file photo

Crews responded to the fire about 3:25 p.m. in the 1400 block of West Carmen Avenue, according to Chicago fire officials.

Firefighters were battling a blaze Saturday in Uptown on the North Side.

Crews responded to the fire about 3:25 p.m. in the 1400 block of West Carmen Avenue, according to Chicago fire officials.

Information on any injuries was not immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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Firefighters battle Uptown blazeSun-Times Wireon May 8, 2021 at 8:42 pm Read More »