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Patrick Kane scores 400th career goal as Blackhawks rout Red WingsBen Popeon March 1, 2021 at 2:35 am

Patrick Kane celebrates after his 400th career goal Sunday. | Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Kane’s goal, one of five in the third period en route to a 7-2 victory, made him the fourth Hawk to hit the milestone.

Patrick Kane skated half the length of the ice, patiently maneuvered around a sliding defenseman and ripped a no-doubt shot past the goaltender, adding a highlight moment to the Blackhawks’ 7-2 victory Sunday over the Red Wings.

He celebrated with a little more fervor than usual — it was, after all, his 400th NHL goal.

But the scene wasn’t quite the same as the mob that formed on the ice and throughout the United Center after Kane’s 1,000th point last season. There were, after all, no fans in the stands.

“It would be nice to have my parents here, for sure, and [my girlfriend] Amanda and my son,” Kane said. “But that’s the way it is in this world right now.

“Tonight, it was just nice to enjoy it with my teammates. They seemed pretty excited for me. A lot of support from the guys, so nice to share it with them and the coaches.”

Check out Patrick Kane’s 400th career goal. It’s a beauty. #SHOWTIME pic.twitter.com/CSVm7fUpHk

Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) March 1, 2021

His favorite part of the goal seemed to be simply getting it out of the way. Just like before his milestone point in January 2020, Kane had been stuck one away the previous two games despite generating plenty of golden opportunities.

“I just worry about playing good hockey, playing the way I know how to play — you try to have that mindset going into the game,” he said. “But, you know, it’s probably in the back of your mind a little bit once you get near that number.”

Everyone else was well aware of what was at stake, too.

The United Center equipped their ice scrapers with sheets of paper reading “400,” ready to provide a small fan celebration despite the official attendance of zero.

And on the bench, once the Hawks saw the two-on-one rush develop after Alex DeBrincat forced a turnover and fed it to Kane, every person knew what would soon take place.

“In my head, I thought, ‘There’s no way he’s passing this puck,’ ’’ Ryan Carpenter said. “The defender [Filip Hronek] slides, and he just buys all kinds of time — it was just such an elite play to make. When he’s got that goal on his mind . . . you knew he wasn’t going to miss.”

Kane became the fourth Hawk, the ninth U.S.-born player and the 100th NHL player to reach the 400-goal milestone. He’s not done with milestones yet: Kane remains on track to play in his 1,000th career NHL game March 9 in Dallas.


Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Patrick Kane ripped his shot past Red Wings defenseman Filip Hronek and goalie Thomas Greiss.

The goal was part of an explosive third period that broke open what was a competitive 2-1 game at the second intermission.

Entering a brutal 11-game stretch against top teams this week, the Hawks desperately needed a victory against the lowly Wings to split the weekend series.

“After last night, we deserved better,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “It was tight tonight. We were playing OK, doing some decent things, not giving them too much, but at 2-1, we’re always a bounce away from being in a tough situation.

‘‘So [it was] really good to see those goals go in and just get that result, so that we can be happy tomorrow.”

The final stat sheet was full of standout performances.

DeBrincat had four points. Kane finished with three, adding two assists to his goal. Carpenter had his first career two-goal game. Twelve Hawks notched at least a point. And goaltender Kevin Lankinen made a career-high 44 saves.

But once Kane upped the Hawks’ lead to 5-1, the night belonged to him alone — even with only teammates present to enjoy the occasion.

“We have a bunch of guys who have been watching him for a while, [from] when they were still kids,” Colliton said. “For them to be part of it is pretty special. They all know what he’s meant to the organization and to the league.”

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Patrick Kane scores 400th career goal as Blackhawks rout Red WingsBen Popeon March 1, 2021 at 2:35 am Read More »

Irv Cross, NFL player, pioneer Black analyst, Northwestern alum dies at 81Associated Presson March 1, 2021 at 5:42 am

Irv Cross joined CBS in 1971, becoming the first Black network sports show anchor. | Sun-Times

Cross, the former NFL defensive back who became the first Black man to work full-time as a sports analyst on national television, died Sunday.

PHILADELPHIA — Irv Cross, the former NFL defensive back who became the first Black man to work full-time as a sports analyst on national television, died Sunday. He was 81.

The Philadelphia Eagles, the team Cross spent his six of his nine NFL seasons with, said Cross’ son, Matthew, confirmed his father died near his home in Roseville, Minnesota. The cause of death was not provided.

“All of us at CBS Sports are saddened by the news of Irv Cross’ passing,” CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus said in a statement. “Irv was a pioneer who made significant contributions to the storied history and tradition of CBS Sports and, along with Phyllis George and Brent Musburger, set the standard for NFL pregame shows with `The NFL Today.’ He was a true gentleman and a trail blazer in the sports television industry and will be remembered for his accomplishments and the paths he paved for those who followed.”

From Hammond, Indiana, Cross starred in football and track and field at Northwestern. He was drafted in the seventh round by Philadelphia in 1961, was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 1966 and returned to the Eagles in 1969 as a player-coach for his final season.

The two-time Pro Bowl cornerback had 22 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries, eight forced fumbles and a pair of defensive touchdowns. He also averaged 27.9 yards on kickoff returns and returned punts.

Cross joined CBS in 1971, becoming the first Black network sports show anchor. He left the network in 1994, and later served as athletic director at Idaho State and Macalester College in Minnesota. In 2009, he received the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award.

“Irv was one of the finest gentleman I’ve been with,” Musburger tweeted. “We met at Northwestern where Irv played both ways for Coach (Ara) Parseghian, He later became my go-to mainstay on the NFL TODAY. No one ever had a bad thing to say about Irv. He led the way for African Americans to host NFL and other sports shows. Rest in peace my friend.”

The eighth of 15 children, Cross is survived by wife Liz; children, Susan, Lisa, Matthew and Sarah; grandson Aiden; brothers Raymond, Teal and Sam; sisters Joan, Jackie, Julia, Pat, and Gwen.

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Irv Cross, NFL player, pioneer Black analyst, Northwestern alum dies at 81Associated Presson March 1, 2021 at 5:42 am Read More »

After years of comparisons, Kyle Hendricks and Zach Davies hope to thrive together in Cubs’ rotationRussell Dorseyon March 1, 2021 at 4:55 am

John Antonoff/Chicago Sun-Times

Kyle Hendricks and Zach Davies have been compared to each other for years; now they’ll get the chance to pitch on the same staff.

MESA, Ariz. — One of the early storylines from spring training has been some of the similarities in the Cubs’ rotation, and no two pitchers get compared more to each other than Kyle Hendricks and Zach Davies.

It has happened for years, especially when Davies was in the National League Central with the Brewers. With their repertoires, easy mechanics and reliance on command over velocity, it’s easy to see why they’re viewed as baseball doppelgangers.

“It’s funny because they put our lockers right next to each other,” Davies said. “So I think they know the comparisons, too.”

After years of watching each other from afar, these right-handers are looking to have success together and do it in a way that’s increasingly against the grain.

“We may be at the very bottom of the league in terms of velocity,” Cubs president Jed Hoyer said. “But in terms of pitchability, we’ll be right at the top. And I think that’s something our guys have done an exceptional job with.”

In an era of increasing pitch velocity, exit velocity and data, the success of Davies and Hendricks still comes as a surprise to some, but the numbers speak for themselves. Hendricks (3.14) and Davies (3.79) rank fifth and seventh in ERA since 2015. They’re also fifth and 20th, respectively, in ERA+ over the same span.

“[Davies and Trevor Williams] are two guys I’m really excited to get to know more and just pitch alongside,” Hendricks said. “I’ve gotten to hang out with them in the clubhouse here for a little bit already. . . . It’s gonna be really fun just to toe the rubber and go to war with those guys and just learn from each other. Every guy you come across, you learn something from them or they learn something from you. It’s just good collaboration, you know? So just talking, pitching.”

“There are similarities [between me and Kyle]; there are differences in my eyes and his eyes, too,” Davies said. “[There are] finer differences that not everybody catches, but at the same time, as pitchers who’ve been in the game for a little while, you know those differences, and you know how that changes your game plan compared to his. . . . But I think both of our games are similar in the fact that it’s reading swings, it’s reading hitters and how our skill set and our stuff plays within the game against those guys. So it’s always fun for me, I love information. I love talking about baseball. So I enjoy every moment of those conversations.”

Whether Hendricks and Davies go back-to-back in the rotation or are split up by Williams, Jake Arrieta, Alec Mills or even Adbert Alzolay, being able to differentiate their game plans will be an essential part of their success together. Catcher Willson Contreras already has been working on ways to ensure his starters are changing things up, especially in series in which they pitch against the same lineup.

“I think all those arms are good for us,” Contreras said. “They can pitch to a scouting report. That’s the most important thing. They’re all like each other. I mean, they’re like Kyle Hendricks. They’re gonna be able to pitch to the scouting report. That’s something I’m not worried about. I’m just looking forward to keep working with these guys and get the best out of them.”

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After years of comparisons, Kyle Hendricks and Zach Davies hope to thrive together in Cubs’ rotationRussell Dorseyon March 1, 2021 at 4:55 am Read More »

2 charged with fatal shooting of 16-year-old boy in Marquette ParkSun-Times Wireon March 1, 2021 at 6:32 am

Two men were charged with the fatal shooting of a teenage boy Feb. 26, 2021, in Marquette Park.
Two men were charged with the fatal shooting of a teenage boy Feb. 26, 2021, in Marquette Park. | Sun-Times file photo

Police said Jesus Moro, 21, and Sergio Rodriguez, 20, beat up Julian Castillo at an apartment in the 6300 block of South Richmond Street and fired shots at him as he tried to flee down the street.

Two men are accused of gunning down a 16-year-old boy Friday night in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side.

Jesus Moro, 21, and Sergio Rodriguez, 20, were charged with first-degree murder Monday in the shooting of Julian Castillo, according to Chicago police.

Police said Moro and Rodriguez beat up Castillo at an apartment in the 6300 block of South Richmond Street and fired shots at him as he tried to flee down the street. He was struck several times throughout the body and pronounced dead at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

Moro, who lives in Clearing, was arrested in a nearby vehicle minutes after the shooting, police said. Rodriguez lives in the same block and was arrested at an apartment there.

Both are expected to appear in bond court Monday.


Chicago police
Jesus Moro

Chicago police
Sergio Rodriguez

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2 charged with fatal shooting of 16-year-old boy in Marquette ParkSun-Times Wireon March 1, 2021 at 6:32 am Read More »

Horoscope for Monday, March 1, 2021Georgia Nicolson March 1, 2021 at 6:01 am


Moon Alert

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

Aries (March 21-April 19)

This is a lovely day to begin your week, especially because relations between you and friends, partners and spouses are warm and friendly. People are mutually encouraging, which is why this is a low-key day, and yet, a feel-good day.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Jump right in to whatever you’re doing on your job or in your work because communications with others are upbeat and meaningful! Work-related travel or interactions with people from other countries and different cultures is likely. Whatever you do will expand your sphere of activity in a positive way.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

It’s a fun day! Relations with children are positive and upbeat. Romance is blessed (a fun lunch?). This is a good day to discuss sports, publishing, the media and anything related to medicine and the law because avenues will open up in these areas for you.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Relations with family members will be warm and friendly. In fact, this is a good day to discuss inheritances, issues about shared property, differing values, bills and expenses and how to share anything, including the division of labor. Things will go well.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

It’s nice that you can begin this week in a positive frame of mind. It is often said that how something begins is a clue to how it will unfold. This is a productive day because you’re in a positive frame of mind and you’re ready to think big. “One more time. Take it from the top!”

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Financial matters, business and commerce are favored today because the moon is dancing with moneybags Jupiter. Respect your money-making ideas because they might be worthwhile. Don’t hesitate to explore discussions about how to improve your job or get more money. You can do this.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Things will go your way today because the moon is in your sign dancing beautifully with Mercury and Jupiter. Relations with romantic partners, kids as well as anything to do with the entertainment world and the hospitality industry will be excellent. Ask the universe for a favor.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Home and family are your focus today. Fortunately, you’re in a positive frame of mind and you expect the best from everyone. (Expectations can often dictate results.) Very likely, you will be pulling strings from behind the scenes by working alone or at home.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

A female friend or an acquaintance in a group might benefit you today. Be open to this. You might even share ideas about future goals? Or perhaps you want to make changes to your daily routine? This is a good day for those of you who are writing, studying and teaching.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Personal details about your private life might be public today for some reason. Fortunately, whatever the case, this situation will probably benefit you because you look great in the eyes of others. They see you as affluent and a potential asset.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

This is a restless day for you because ideally, you would like to get away from all this! You want to travel. You need a change of scenery. Very likely, you can’t travel, which means you have to look for other ways to stimulate your mind and seek adventure. Explore the world online!

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

This is a powerful time for you with both the sun and Venus in your sign. This makes you charismatic and charming. However, today you might choose to be low-key and deal with matters related to shared property or differing values. If so, you will do this quietly.

If Your Birthday Is Today

Singer, songwriter Justin Bieber (1994) shares your birthday. You are giving and compassionate. You are very persuasive, and you know how to follow your dreams. This year let go of what is no longer relevant or useful and move on to something new and different. This is not a time of loss. Au contraire! You are lightening your load to make room for new beginnings!

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Horoscope for Monday, March 1, 2021Georgia Nicolson March 1, 2021 at 6:01 am Read More »

Carjackings drop in February, but shootings and murders remain high: policeSun-Times Wireon March 1, 2021 at 8:54 am

Carjackings dropped significantly in February 2021 compared to January.
Carjackings dropped significantly in February 2021 compared to January. | Sun-Times file photo

Carjackings dropped by nearly half in February compared to the last month, according to statistics released by the Chicago Police Department.

Carjackings across Chicago decreased significantly in February 2021 compared to the previous month, despite citywide gun violence continuing to soar.

February’s 121 reported carjackings marked a 45% drop from the 219 reported in January, according to statistics released Monday by the Chicago Police Department.

Last year, 1,417 carjackings were reported across the city, more than double the amount in 2019. In response to the surge, police brass added 40 officers and four sergeants to a carjacking task force last month.

Police acknowledged the freezing, snowy weather that swept across the city in February may have played a role in reducing carjackings, but said they are confident the task force will continue to make progress in slowing down crime.

Meanwhile, shooting incidents reported in February were the highest they have been for the month in the last four years, police said.

Chicago recorded 144 shootings in February this year, a slight increase from the 136 shootings in February 2020, police said. The number of shootings so far this year now stands at 345, a rise of about 21% from the 273 shootings recorded at this point in 2020.

While shootings increased, murders reported last month decreased compared to February 2020, police reported. There were 31 homicides reported across the city in February, a slight drop from the 35 reported in the same month last year.

Eighty-five people have been murdered in Chicago so far this year, a rise from the 70 people killed in January and February of 2020, according to police.

The department also noted they held the first “Turn in a Gun” event of the year last month and recovered 257 firearms, along with 48 replica and BB guns. Last year, they recovered 625 guns through similar programs, police said.

The new crime statistics come on the heels of an inspector general report released last month that blasted CPD for their response to protests and riots last summer in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police, with at least one alderman calling for Superintendent David Brown to be fired.

“He has presided over dysfunction — civil unrest and the doubling of carjackings and other crime stats, including murders,” Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) said.

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Carjackings drop in February, but shootings and murders remain high: policeSun-Times Wireon March 1, 2021 at 8:54 am Read More »

Do You Struggle with Food Addiction?on March 1, 2021 at 2:18 am

Spiritual and Physical Wellness

Do You Struggle with Food Addiction?

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Do You Struggle with Food Addiction?on March 1, 2021 at 2:18 am Read More »

A very different Golden Globes show tonight as show reacts to pandemic, questions about its membershipAssociated Presson February 28, 2021 at 11:48 pm

Tina Fey (left, pictured on an advertising sign in Los Angeles) will co-host the Golden Globe Awards from New York, while Amy Poehler will join her from Beverly Hills, California. | Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Voting group vows bring in black members; Tina Fey and Amy Poehler to host from opposite coasts

When drained of glamour, what’s left of the Golden Globes?

That’s one of the biggest questions heading into the 78th annual awards, airing live from 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday on WMAQ-Channel 5 (and available for streaming Monday on Peacock). The show, postponed two months from its usual early-January perch, will have little of what makes the Globes one of the frothiest and glitziest events of the year.

Due to the pandemic, there will be no parade of stars down the red carpet outside the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. Its hosts, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, will be on different sides of the country.

More than any award show, the Globes revel in being an intimate banquet of stars. With Poehler in Beverly Hills and Fey in New York’s Rainbow Room, the circumstances will test the Globes telecast like never before.

Presenters will include Awkwafina, Joaquin Phoenix, Kristen Wiig, Tiffany Haddish, Margot Robbie and Angela Bassett. At least some of them will be present at one of the two locations. Pre-show coverage is still going forward on NBC beginning at 6 p.m. The telecast will be streamed on NBC’s website with a television-provider log-in, as well as on the Roku Channel, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV, Sling TV and Fubo TV.

But pandemic improvising is only part of the damage control the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which puts on the Globes, finds itself dealing with this year. A pair of extensive reports by The Los Angeles Times and The New York Times in the week leading up to the awards renewed scrutiny on the press association and its 87 voting members.

While the HFPA has long been known as an organization with members of questionable qualification — the majority of its members don’t write for well-known publications — and are known for being swayed by high-priced junkets, the reports again forced the HFPA to defend itself.

Among the most damning details was the revelation that there are no Black voting members in the group, something that only reinforced criticism that the press association — which host Ricky Gervais last year called “very, very racist” in his opening monologue — is in need of overhauling. This year, none of the most acclaimed Black-led films — “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “One Night in Miami,” “Judas and the Black Messiah,” “Da 5 Bloods” — were nominated for the Globes’ best picture award.

In a statement, the HFPA said it would make “an action plan” to change. “We understand that we need to bring in Black members, as well as members from other underrepresented backgrounds,” the group said.

For some, none of the revelations were surprising. Ava DuVernay tweeted in response to the L.A. Times article: “Reveals? As in, people are acting like this isn’t already widely known? For YEARS?”

Two-time nominee Sterling K. Brown, who’s presenting Sunday, said in an Instagram post that “having a multitude of Black presenters does not absolve you of your lack of diversity.”

“87 people wield a tremendous amount of power,” said Brown. “For any governing body of a current Hollywood award show to have such a lack of voting representation illustrates a level of irresponsibility that should not be ignored.”

Yet the Globes have persisted because of their popularity (the show ranks as the third most-watched award show, after the Oscars and Grammys), their profitability (NBC paid $60 million for broadcast rights in 2018) and because they serve as important marketing material for contending films and Oscar hopefuls. That may be especially true this year when the pandemic has upset the normal rhythms of buzz in a virtual awards season lacking the usual frenzy.

The Globes are happening on the original date of the Academy Awards, which are instead to be held April 25.

Netflix comes in with a commanding 42 nominations, including a leading six nods for David Fincher’s “Mank” and “The Crown” also topping TV nominees with six nods. Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” also from Netflix, is also a heavyweight with five nominations.

Chloe Zhao, the “Nomadland” filmmaker and Oscar frontrunner, is expected to become the first woman of Asian descent to win best director at the Globes and the first woman since Barbra Streisand won for “Yentl” in 1984.

Chadwick Boseman, nominated for best actor for his performance in the August Wilson adaptation “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” could win a posthumous Golden Globe. Boseman is widely expected to be nominated for an Oscar.

And “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” stands a good chance of being crowned best picture, comedy or musical. With many of the leading nominees in the drama category — among them “Mank,” “Nomadland,” “The Father,” “Promising Young Woman” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7” — Sacha Baron Cohen’s sequel could emerge a big winner. Cohen, who won a Globe for his performance in the first “Borat” film, is nominated for Borat and for his role in “The Trial of the Chicago 7.”

Jane Fonda, a seven-time Globe winner, will receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement. Norman Lear will be honored for his television career and accept an award named after Carol Burnett.

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A very different Golden Globes show tonight as show reacts to pandemic, questions about its membershipAssociated Presson February 28, 2021 at 11:48 pm Read More »

Tony La Russa still playing to win, even in games that don’t countDaryl Van Schouwenon February 28, 2021 at 11:51 pm

White Sox manager Tony La Russa is still playing to win. (John Antonoff/For the Sun-Times)

La Russa’s White Sox fell to the Brewers in his first game as a manager since 2011.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — White Sox manager Tony La Russa was back in the dugout for the first time since 2011 and said it felt ‘‘familiar.’’

So did the feeling after a loss, which still gets in his craw, even in the first exhibition game of the spring. The Brewers beat the Sox 7-2 on Sunday at Camelback Ranch.

‘‘Everybody thought I was foolish my whole career, you know?’’ La Russa said of underlining the importance of winning spring-training games. ‘‘I think you’ve got to practice winning. You get 30 chances, so you don’t want to wait until Opening Day.

‘‘Whether the team or a manager, you’re supposed to be using those games to anticipate and make decisions. That’s why I like it, in the sense that when I get to Opening Day or October, there really isn’t any difference in the concentration and the process.’’

La Russa, who started his Hall of Fame managerial career with the Sox in 1979, hadn’t managed a game since winning the World Series with the Cardinals in 2011. He said he was nervous, as always, even before he took the lineup card to home plate before the game.

‘‘Nervous about the competition, the outcome and excited that we came back right away to answer in the first [with two runs after the Brewers had scored three in the top of the inning],’’ La Russa said. ‘‘[The Brewers] pitched and hit better than we did, so you tip your cap and learn. I always said you learn more from a loss.’’

A moment for Burger

Jake Burger, a first-round pick in 2017 last seen when he suffered the first of two Achilles injuries on the same field three years ago, started at third base and went 0-for-3.

It has been a difficult road back for Burger, who said he ‘‘broke down in tears’’ on his way to the Sox’ complex for the first day of camp.

‘‘This is just another milestone in the comeback,’’ he said. ‘‘It feels great to be out there with the guys and just playing baseball again.’’

Abreu on La Russa

First baseman Jose Abreu got a call from Angels slugger Albert Pujols about La Russa, who managed him with the Cardinals. Pujols told Abreu to reserve his judgment until he gets to know La Russa.

‘‘[He said], ‘After your first day, call me and let me know your impressions,’ ’’ Abreu said through a translator. ‘‘He was right. Today and throughout all the conversations I’ve had with Tony, I can tell he cares about people. He cares about us and the team, and that is something that will be very important for us. It will unite us and make us stronger. And baseball? He’s a Hall of Famer. We’re glad he’s here with us.’’

Grandal on mend

Catcher Yasmani Grandal, who has been out for three days because of inflammation in his right knee, ramped up his throwing and hitting and is expected back soon.

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Tony La Russa still playing to win, even in games that don’t countDaryl Van Schouwenon February 28, 2021 at 11:51 pm Read More »

Jed Hoyer glad players receptive to idea of staying with Cubs long termRussell Dorseyon March 1, 2021 at 12:28 am

John Antonoff/Chicago Sun-Times

“I think that’s great that they feel that way about this place,” president Jed Hoyer said Sunday. “It’d be disappointing after this much time with these players if they felt otherwise.”

MESA, Ariz. – Much of the discussion surrounding the Cubs during the first full week of spring training has been about the future of Javy Baez, Kris Bryant, and Anthony Rizzo. All three players will be free agents after the 2021 season.

When camp opened, president Jed Hoyer stated that the team would like to sit down with its three superstars to discuss the possibility of a long-term deal this spring. All three players spoke about the matter this week and are open and receptive to the idea.

There’s no guarantee that anything gets done before the team breaks camp, but the fact that all sides are willing to listen is a good place to start.

“It’s the best time of year to have those conversations,” Hoyer said. “I think the danger of having those discussions or opening things up publicly is this notion that if you don’t get something done by the opening day, like talks failed, or fell apart. So I think there’s a real risk in that and not with us. … I’d love to have conversations with these guys and their agents, kind of talk through where we are.

“I think it’s a testament to ownership and the front office and the coaching staff and all the staff that guys want to be here. They enjoy the environment. Obviously, we got the ballpark and the fan base and the city, but like people want to be here. And that’s a great thing. And that was kind of the theme I felt reading all the parade of articles one day after another with guys saying that. More as a collective, I think that’s great that they feel that way about this place. And you know, it’d be disappointing after this much time with these players if they felt otherwise.”

Cubs to play seven-inning games this spring

MLB is allowing teams the option of playing abbreviated games this spring, if both teams agree prior. According to manager David Ross, the Cubs will be playing mostly seven-inning games for various reasons, including health, the remainder of the spring with the exception being one nationally televised game on ESPN.

“We’ve had different phone calls with different organizations,” he said. “I think there’s some organizations that feel like they want to push it to nine [innings] and some organizations that we’ve talked to feel like they’re gonna have trouble finding five. I think it all depends on pitching and strategy and … what teams are doing with their pitching.”

Ryan activated off COVID-19 list

The Cubs activated left-hander Kyle Ryan off the COVID-19 list on Sunday. Ryan, 29, was able to participate in team activities on Saturday. Right-hander Robert Stock was designated for assignment to make room for Ryan on the team’s 40-man roster.

Cubs’ lineup Monday at San Diego

1B Anthony Rizzo
C Willson Contreras
LF Joc Pederson
SS Javier Báez
RF Cameron Maybin
2B David Bote
3B Ildemaro Vargas
CF Ian Miller
DH P.J. Higgins

P Kyle Hendricks

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Jed Hoyer glad players receptive to idea of staying with Cubs long termRussell Dorseyon March 1, 2021 at 12:28 am Read More »