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3 things we learned: Big plays send WIU to defeaton March 27, 2021 at 8:20 pm

Prairie State Pigskin

3 things we learned: Big plays send WIU to defeat

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White Sox’ Nick Madrigal says he’s ‘capable of a lot more’ in 2020on March 27, 2021 at 7:52 pm

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.. — Nick Madrigal brings a different baseball package to the table than most. He’s a high average, high contact, low walk and low-power hitter with speed.

A guy manager Tony La Russa can use and win with.

“The home run is a wonderful weapon. A three-run homer is beautiful,” La Russa said Saturday. “They usually happen against pitchers that are average to below average and against better pitchers, it’s tougher.

“There’s a lot of games you play against good pitching, good relief pitching and it’s like Joe Torre used to say, you do little things and they add up to big things and Nick is a guy who — especially when he gets the ball to right field — he can advance a guy from first to third, he can handle an at-bat in any situation.”

Just put the ball in play. It has its value, to be sure.

Madrigal’s .340 average over his 29-game debut last season was the highest by a Sox rookie since 1940. With two strikes, he batted .321, earning a “Nicky Two Strikes” nickname from broadcaster Jason Benetti, so putting the ball in play is his go-to.

But Madrigal walked only four times while striking out only seven times. And his extra-base hit collection consisted of three doubles.

He says there’s more there.

“I have a different style but I know it was only 20 or 30 games, and I’m a lot more capable of a lot more,” Madrigal told the Sun-Times. “And the way I play fits perfectly with the style of Tony La Russa’s coaching.”

When reports swirled that La Russa was a candidate to be the replacement for Rick Renteria, Madrigal was all in.

“I was excited when we hired him, because he’s more old school and likes to do a lot of different things and I feel I can fit that for him in the lineup,” Madrigal said. “I’m excited to play for him and I understand [my game is] a little different than the average player in the major leagues nowadays, but I just focus on playing the best I can and not comparing myself to other players.”

A family friend, two-time Gold Glove infielder Fernando Vina, played for La Russa and stoked Madrigal’s interest in playing for the 76-year-old manager.

“A Hall of Famer, I watched him manage the Cardinals teams and all those great teams,” Madrigal said.

“We always talk baseball. He’s a full-on baseball mind and I’m always thinking about the game, the little things, and even off the field we’re talking about game situations from the previous games.”

Madrigal, slow-rolled his start to camp this spring after coming off shoulder surgery, the result of a slide into third base last September. He also missed time with soreness in his right hand but says he’s near 100 percent now.

“Not feeling any pain or soreness lately, staying on top of that with exercises and maintaining,” he said.

Last season gave him a foundation, albeit a small one, to build from.

“A lot of things to take away from it,” he said. “I’ve watched a lot of major league baseball on TV but it’s another thing to be in the moment, be in those big stadiums, playing with guys you’ve watched growing up, the biggest thing is seeing the speed of the game, learning different pitchers and relievers and what it’s like at that level. I got to see first hand how fast the game is at the major league hitters.”

And that little guy’s mentality? For the 5-8 Madrigal, that’s an old story.

“That’s not even on my mind,” he said. “My height is not a motivating factor. I can’t tell you the last time I thought of myself as being an underdog because I’m smaller than a lot of guys. I don’t care about that — if anything I’m more of a favorite out there.”

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White Sox’ Nick Madrigal says he’s ‘capable of a lot more’ in 2020on March 27, 2021 at 7:52 pm Read More »

Should cultural cancelers get cancelled?on March 27, 2021 at 6:53 pm

The Barbershop: Dennis Byrne, Proprietor

Should cultural cancelers get cancelled?

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Should cultural cancelers get cancelled?on March 27, 2021 at 6:53 pm Read More »

3 wounded, 2 critically, in Austin shootingon March 27, 2021 at 6:31 pm

Three men were wounded, two of them critically, Saturday in a shooting in Austin on the West Side.

The men were standing outside about 12:10 p.m. when someone fired shots at them in the 500 block of North Leamington Avenue, Chicago police said.

One man, 64, was struck in the leg, and another, 54, was struck in the thigh, police said. Both were taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in critical condition.

The third man, 42, was grazed on the back, police said. He was treated at the scene.

No one is in custody as Area Five detectives investigate.

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3 wounded, 2 critically, in Austin shootingon March 27, 2021 at 6:31 pm Read More »

11 shot in Chicago since Friday eveningon March 27, 2021 at 6:37 pm

At least 11 people have been wounded in shootings across Chicago so far this weekend.

The weekend’s latest shooting left three men wounded, two critically, in Austin on the West Side.

The men were standing outside about 12:10 p.m. when someone fired shots at them in the 500 block of North Leamington Avenue, Chicago police said.

One man, 64, was struck in the leg, and another, 54, was struck in the thigh, police said. Both were taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in critical condition. The third man, 42, was grazed on the back and treated at the scene.

Early Saturday morning, a man was critically wounded in a shooting in the South Shore neighborhood.

The 21-year-old was standing outside about 1:45 a.m. in the 7000 block of South Jeffery Boulevard when he heard shots and felt pain, police said. He suffered one gunshot wound to the groin and was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.

Less than an hour earlier, a 25-year-old man was shot in Bronzeville on the South Side.

He was walking outside about 12:50 a.m. in the 800 block of East Oakwood Boulevard when a black sedan pulled up alongside him with three people inside, police said. One of the people inside the sedan began shooting and struck him in the hand. He was transported to Mercy Hospital, where his condition was stabilized.

Another 25-year old was hurt in a drive-by shooting about the same time in Oakland on the South Side.

About 12:50 a.m., the man was sitting in a parked vehicle in the 3800 block of South Langley Avenue when a white Jeep drove by him and began firing shots, Chicago police said. He was shot in the leg and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where his condition was stabilized.

Just after midnight, a 56-year-old man was wounded in a shooting in South Shore.

He was exiting his vehicle about 12:10 a.m. in the 7200 block of South Coles Avenue when a person approached him and fired shots before fleeing the scene, police said. The man was shot in the stomach and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition, police said.

In the weekend’s earliest reported shooting, a man was shot Friday evening in East Garfield Park on the West Side.

The man, 22, heard shots and felt pain about 6:55 p.m. in the 3300 block of West Ohio Street, Chicago police said. He was taken to Stroger Hospital with a gunshot wound to his buttocks and was listed in fair condition.

At least three other people have been wounded in citywide shootings since 5 p.m. Friday.

Twenty people were shot, four fatally, last weekend in Chicago.

Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.

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11 shot in Chicago since Friday eveningon March 27, 2021 at 6:37 pm Read More »

4 shot, 1 fatally, on River Grove party buson March 27, 2021 at 5:35 pm

A person was killed and three more were wounded when they were shot while riding a party bus early Saturday in west suburban River Grove.

Someone in a vehicle fired shots at the bus just after midnight while it was stopped at the intersection of River Road and Belmont Avenue, according to River Grove Police Chief Mike Konwinski.

Four people were shot, and one of them died, Konwinski said.

The Cook County medical examiner’s office has not released details on the death.

Konwinski said the West Suburban Major Crime Task Force is “following up leads” with River Grove police, but no one was in custody Saturday afternoon.

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4 shot, 1 fatally, on River Grove party buson March 27, 2021 at 5:35 pm Read More »

Chicago Cubs: The good, bad, and ugly heading into Opening DayJACOB GRANTon March 27, 2021 at 2:00 pm

The Chicago Cubs will be looking to exceed expectations this year by building on the good while fixing the bad. The Chicago Cubs are going to experience some ups and downs in 2021. The areas of concern have been ever-growing since Theo Epstein left the building. When Epstein was here, it was always “In Theo […]

Chicago Cubs: The good, bad, and ugly heading into Opening Day – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & More

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Chicago Cubs: The good, bad, and ugly heading into Opening DayJACOB GRANTon March 27, 2021 at 2:00 pm Read More »

Key matchups, players to watch & more ahead of the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cupon March 27, 2021 at 1:30 pm

The National Women’s Soccer League is two weeks from the start of its second Challenge Cup Tournament. The 21 games begin April 9 and conclude with the championship on May 8.

Here’s a guide as the Red Stars look to improve upon last season’s second-place finish:

USWNT Players absent

The Red Stars will kick off the Challenge Cup without three of their biggest stars and leaders.

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, midfielder/defender Julie Ertz and defender Tierna Davidson are three of the 23 players selected by Vlatko Andonovski for friendlies against fifth-ranked Sweden and third-ranked France on April 10 and 13.

Naeher’s absence exposes the Red Stars’ lack of depth at goalkeeper for the moment. Emily Boyd still is recovering from a knee injury she sustained while playing overseas in Denmark and isn’t expected to return until the regular season. Cassie Miller will be the backup goalkeeper, but Boyd said she’s focused on earning that position back before the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Sarah Gorden and Casey Krueger will be anchors on the backline with the absence of Davidson and Ertz. The Red Stars also will be without defender Bianca St. Georges to start the Cup as she continues her recovery after tearing her meniscus in January. That provides opportunities for young defenders, such as Zoey Goralski and Kayla Sharples.

Andonovski said that the Olympic roster will be set by the middle of June, and evaluation will continue while players are with their NWSL teams. It’s safe to assume that the Red Stars will lose at least three players to the USWNT for the Olympics.

Key Matchups

The Cup opener against the Houston Dash, a rematch of last year’s Challenge Cup final, is the first key matchup and the only one the Red Stars are focused on now.

The Dash will be without midfielder Kristie Mewis, one of the 17 NWSL players on Andonovski’s 23-player roster. The Dash boast a dangerous attack, and without Ertz, Davidson and Naeher, the Red Stars will rely on their depth and the seamless transition of other players into those key defensive roles.

The Red Stars will be playing in the West Division, so they follow their opener with games against the Portland Thorns on April 15, Kansas City on April 20 and OL Reign on April 27.

The top two teams from each division advance to the final, so there is little room for error. There’s also the potential for a rematch of the 2019 NWSL Championship between the Red Stars and the North Carolina Courage on May 8 in the Challenge Cup Final.

Players to Watch

The Red Stars’ depth is the team’s greatest asset this year.

“It’s crazy because I don’t think our starting 11 will ever look the same,” defender Arin Wright said.

After sitting out nearly the entire 2020 season aside from one match in the Fall Series, Wright is excited to return. Her return is coming at the right time as her veteran experience will provide value when the team potentially loses three defenders from its lineup for the Olympics. Davidson and Ertz are two Red Stars who Andonovski has called into camp consistently, but he also mentioned Krueger is still in the mix for the 18-player roster.

The midfield is a crowded place for the Red Stars this season, so keeping an eye on the middle third would be wise. Veteran midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo said this is the most competitive preseason she has been in her seven seasons with the team, and the competition is welcomed.

“Our team is so strong,” DiBernardo said. “You might not get called one day to start, but you might be the most important player coming off the bench. We have to be open to having different roles.”

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Key matchups, players to watch & more ahead of the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cupon March 27, 2021 at 1:30 pm Read More »

Ten things I think I know going into Loyola’s Sweet 16 matchup with Oregon Stateon March 27, 2021 at 2:25 pm

During the 1987 Chicago teachers strike, high school football games were being canceled left and right. Classes? Oh, yeah, those, too. But no football was outrageous! So we donned our jerseys, took to the streets and protested outside City Hall while William Bennett, Secretary of Education under President Ronald Reagan, glared into any TV camera he could find and called the city’s public schools the worst in America.

All of which is to say I wouldn’t understand the mechanics of Ken Pomeroy’s renowned “Pythagorean expectation”-based college basketball ratings if you spotted me a slide rule, a scientific calculator and a pair of thick-rimmed glasses held together by strips of masking tape.

But even I am capable of grasping this: Loyola got jobbed.

Of the top eight KenPom teams heading into the NCAA Tournament, four were deemed No. 1 seeds by the selection committee, three were No. 2 seeds and the eighth was — wait, what? — a No. 8 seed. Yes, the Ramblers. If you believe in KenPom at all (and to be clear, I’m not smart enough to know if I do), you can clearly see that something here is amiss.

I didn’t think much about the Ramblers’ seeding when the bracket first came out. I was too excited about a potential second-round matchup against top-seeded Illinois. I wanted my two hours of college basketball fan bliss. I even wrote that the Ramblers and their supporters should let the disrespect roll right off their backs and just enjoy the moment.

But now that Georgia Tech and the Illini have been left in crumpled heaps, I’m seeing it: I was wrong. And that’s just one of 10 things I know as we get ready for Saturday’s Loyola-Oregon State tilt in the Sweet 16.

2. The hardest part for the Ramblers is over. As poorly as Illinois played in a 71-58 loss, it’s still unquestionably better than Oregon State, Syracuse and Houston, the other teams left in the Midwest Region.

That’s not to say getting all the way to another Final Four should happen. There are no “shoulds” at this point in the season. Everybody still alive is playing too well. Besides, we’re still on Planet Earth, and any Loyola “W” in the tournament is still a huge deal in and of itself.

3. In a sense, the hardest part for the Ramblers has been over since a week before the season was scheduled to start. That’s when “the whole team,” as coach Porter Moser put it, came down with COVID-19, leading to a three-week pause. But there would be no derailing this team.

Loyola Chicago v Illinois
Aher Uguak shows how a close-out is done.
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

4. Senior center Cameron Krutwig is a tremendous player and an absolute delight, but his teammates still aren’t getting nearly enough attention. Lucas Williamson, Aher Uguak and Keith Clemons are the best defensive trio in the tournament.

As Illini coach Brad Underwood put it last weekend, “We tried everything in the bag.”

Until there was nothing left but lint.

5. ESPN’s Jay Bilas likened Illinois’ strangely passive defense against Krutwig to electing not to send a pass rush at Tom Brady. So Krutwig and Brady are basically equals now, in case you were wondering.

6. For the second straight game, the Ramblers will face an all-major-conference lead guard and a 7-footer in the middle. Not that the Beavers’ Ethan Thompson and Roman Silva are as good as Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn — they aren’t — but that kind of one-two punch is always a lot to contend with.

7. His name is Tom Hitcho. He’s the longtime Loyola associate athletic director who pushes Sister Jean’s chair, sits with her during games and fist-bumps her after victories. And it’s high time America fell in love with him, too.

No, not really.

Oregon State v Oklahoma State
Beavers coach Wayne Tinkle with his best player, Ethan Thompson.
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images

8. No one ever chased the dream more than Beavers coach Wayne Tinkle did as a player. He played professionally in Belgium, Sweden, Spain, Italy and Greece, made three stops in the old Continental Basketball Association and even logged time in the former International Basketball League.

As a coach, the 55-year-old took Montana to the Big Dance three times and, now, the Beavers twice. His wife and three kids all played big-time college ball, too. What a basketball story his life has been.

9. Some betting numbers: Oregon State is +700 to reach the Final Four, Syracuse is +500, Loyola is +170 and Houston is +115.

In case you were thinking of the Ramblers as the favorites now to come out of the Midwest, the answer is nope.

10. “It’s more than the wins. It’s the journey of spending time with a great group.”

Those were Moser’s words after the Final Four loss to Michigan in 2018. They’re as true as ever now. Win or lose Saturday and beyond, all the current Ramblers will come to this realization.

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Ten things I think I know going into Loyola’s Sweet 16 matchup with Oregon Stateon March 27, 2021 at 2:25 pm Read More »