The ChicagoBears biggest need just became available. I’m not telling tales out of school to say the Chicago Bears desperately need help along the offensive line. While the unit averaged 138 rushing yards per game through the first three weeks, that number has been reduced by more than half, as they have averaged a […]
The Chicago Cubs may not be in the World Series, but the team is certainly paying close attention to a few players who are and will soon be free agents.
The upcoming Chicago Cubs‘ offseason may be the team’s most crucial in years.
The Cubs mediocre late-season play and early playoff exit exposed many holes that need to be addressed this winter. That, combined with the core of the team quickly heading towards free agency leaves the front office with tough decisions to make.
Will the Cubs take one more shot at a World Series with its current core in 2021, or will the team start the retooling process, seeking trades for some of the players soon to be free agents?
Regardless of which way ownership and the front office steer the ship, there are a handful of players the Cubs could target this winter who will be playing in the Fall Classic. While you’re enjoying the stress-free, postseason baseball this week, keep your eye on these three players who could be donning Cubbie blue next year.
1. Enrique Hernandez
Even before his dramatic pinch-hit home run in Game 7 of the NLCS, Enrique Hernandez was a fan favorite in Los Angeles, and he’d likely become one rather quickly in Wrigleyville too.
While Hernandez wouldn’t likely serve as an everyday starter for the Cubs, he’s one of those role players who can make a huge impact off the bench.
Over the course of seven seasons at the big league level, Hernandez has put up a .240/.313/.425 slash line, good for a 99 wRC+ (which means he’s produced runs at a rate 1 percent below league-average).
While his bat isn’t fearsome, Hernandez’s skill at the plate fits exactly into what the Cubs are missing – a platoon piece who kills left-handed pitching.
Over the last two seasons, the Cubs have the fourth-worst team OPS versus left-handed pitchers. Hernandez has a career .820 OPS against lefties compared to just a .673 OPS versus righties, so he’d be a great compliment to the Cubs lineup.
Hernandez is the epitome of the saying – jack of all trades, master of none. He’s not a defensive wizard anywhere on the diamond, but he can play every position except catcher serviceably.
If the Cubs don’t bring back Jason Kipnis and aren’t convinced that Nico Hoerner can handle the second base job by himself, Hernandez would be a great addition who could bounce around the diamond filling lineup gaps a few times each week. Plus, he’d be a great late-game pinch hitter option when there’s a lefty on the mound.
The ChicagoBlackhawks gave a memo to the fans about their direction, but it feels weird.
The Chicago Blackhawks are in a weird spot. They still have a few of the legendary players on their roster that helped them win the Stanley Cup three times in six years. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook are all there at different levels of play. They let Corey Crawford and Brandon Saad go in free agency and via trade so things are already starting to fall apart.
Before today, we really didn’t know what direction the organization was going in. After the note that they sent out to their fans today online, you can sort of start assuming where they are going but nothing can be said for sure.
It seems like they are committed to their young players and that is good news. The issue with this statement is that they don’t really say whether or not they are in a full-blown rebuild or not. It claims they are going to rebuild their roster but what exactly does that mean? Are they going to shop guys like Toews and Kane? If not then they truly aren’t rebuilding in the ways that other teams do.
This note is very similar to the one that the New York Rangers put out a few years ago but it is much less transparent. New York ended up trading most of their core and started from scratch and now it is working out well for them. The Hawks seem like they might be willing to do the same but we can’t be sure.
They are going to develop guys like Alex DeBrincat, Kirby Dach, Ian Mitchell, and Adam Boqvist which is awesome but if they don’t do the rebuild right it won’t be as awesome. Hopefully, they are able to stay true to their word if they are actually committed to getting younger. They might be punting on another chance to win with their star players but taking a side is better than staying in the middle.
The idea of rebuilding, however, might not sit well with those formerly mentioned core guys. There is no way that a guy who is obsessed with winning as much as Toews is will enjoy taking part in a rebuild. It is certainly going to be interesting to see how they handle that type of pressure going forward.
ChicagoBears (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
With the Big Ten officially returning, who are some 2021 NFL Draft prospects the Chicago Bears should be keeping an eye on?
There’s an old adage that we’ve all heard of: It’s never too late to begin looking into the future when you’re an NFL franchise. For the Chicago Bears, the same applies. Right now, the Bears may be focused on the 2020 season, however, the front office and scouting department are looking towards the 2021 NFL Draft.
For the Bears, the 2021 NFL Draft is significant for a number of reasons. For the first time since 2018, the team is set to have a first-round pick. Second, the Bears’ needs could shift drastically depending on how the team’s quarterbacks play in 2020. With the Bears naming Nick Foles the starter for the rest of the 2020 season, it likely means that they’ll be going into 2021with Nick Foles and a rookie on the roster.
Furthermore, the Bears could have other needs such as offensive tackle and wide receiver that the team could look to address. Looking at the Bears draft capital as of right now, they are projected to have picks in the first, second, and third-rounds, which means they’ll have the opportunity to add some impact talent.
Essentially, with the Big Ten return right around the corner, it’s a prime opportunity for the Bears to get started on scouting players who go to local schools in the region. Players such as quarterback Justin Fields (Ohio State), tight end Pat Freiermuth (Penn State), and linebacker Micah Parsons (Penn State) are a handful of prospects who could interest the Bears front office if the current regime is here once the calendar turns to 2021.
With the Big Ten set to return, who are some prospects that could interest the Bears? Let’s take a look and find out.
Graydon is a very sweet, two-year-old, 13-pound, male brown tabby cat looking for a loving guardian.
Graydon was found outside begging for food along with a couple of feral cats. He’s not feral at all but had no collar with tags, wasn’t micro-chipped or neutered. When his human couldn’t be found, he was brought to Friends of Petraits Rescue to find a better life.
This boy acclimated quickly and beautifully to the good life indoors. I always start new cats off in a small bedroom with their food, water and a litter box to make sure they use a litter box, and are eating and drinking well.
This sweet boy is careful with his claws when playing, and is just an all around nice cat.
He loves windowsills and soft spots on the cat for snoozing.
He is extremely healthy, dewormed, up-to-date on rabies and distemper vaccines, neutered, microchipped and tested negative for viruses.
Graydon’s adoption fee of $150 benefits the rescued pets of Friends of Petraits Rescue.
If you’re interested in meeting and possibly adopting this amazing cat, please fill out an application at https://friendsofpetraits.com/dog-cat-adoption-application/.
He is currently being fostered in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood.
You often see news stories about individuals falling for Nigerian Prince emails or suspended Social Security phone calls and getting scammed. It’s tragic, but the news usually spins it into a feel-good story about how the community can come together and take care of one of their own. Then, they usually follow up with a few tips for others to avoid these scams.
While you don’t usually hear about scams affecting small businesses, the risk is there, and it can be even more devastating for these enterprises. What do you need to know to keep your business safe from scammers?
Exploiting trust: Scammers position themselves to appear as someone you should trust, whether that means being connected with a company you work with or a government agency.
Creating urgency: They’ll try to pressure you into acting quickly, so you don’t have a chance to see through their scam.
Using fear: Fear is one of their favorite tools. They’ll try to convince you something awful will happen if you don’t act quickly.
Untraceable payments: Scammers will demand you use untraceable payment methods such as wire transfers. Once you send them, you can’t reverse or track them.
Identifying common scammer tactics is only one part of the puzzle, and this is by no means an exhaustive list.
Know Common Scams
Small businesses might not fall prey to the scams you hear about on the news, which just means scammers have to be clever when choosing their tactics. Instead of a threatening phone call stating your Social Security number is suspended, you’ll have individuals contacting you about supplies you didn’t order, or presenting you with fake invoices for services they never provided.
They also impersonate various officials as a tactic to insinuate themselves into your good graces. You’ll see scammers posing as everything from utility company workers to tech support professionals and even government agencies. If you ask for identification to validate their claims, they’ll become hostile or try to threaten you into doing what they want.
Anyone who uses a networked system or has a computer that connects to the internet is also at risk for phishing and ransomware scams that can steal their information or compromise their entire network. Knowing and understanding common small business scams is a valuable tool for protecting your company.
Train Your Employees
Unless you’re running a business entirely on your own, you aren’t the only person who might encounter a scammer. A company is only as strong as its weakest link, and it only takes one trusting soul to cost you a lot of money.
Offer comprehensive training for your employees on how to spot and avoid scams. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers free training material you can order. Encourage active communication between employees. Train them to talk to one another if something seems suspicious. The first person might not spot the problem, but the second one might.
Avoid Relying on Caller ID
A decade ago, you could use caller ID to tell you who was on the other end of the phone before you ever picked up the receiver. Today, spoofers can make you see any numbers they want, so you have no idea who is calling or where they’re calling from. Don’t rely on caller ID as your first line of defense.
Scammers will often create a spoofed ID based on your area code, so it seems like they’re calling from your area when in reality they could be anywhere in the world.
Trust but Verify
The best thing you can teach your employees — and the best skill you can learn yourself — is to be skeptical of everything. “Trust but verify” should be your motto. Don’t take anything at face value, even if it takes a few extra minutes to check someone’s ID and place a phone call to ensure they are who they say they are.
Protect Your Business
Ultimately, it’s up to you and your team to keep your business safe from scammers that are getting smarter every year. “Trust but verify” is the most important concept to remember in safeguarding your investment.
This week I was blessed enough to celebrate another birthday. Another day of living with my wife and two daughters. There could be no greater gift.
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I really like the new single by Cut Off Your Hands. On “Live For Each Other,” there’s an 80s theme going on, possibly Talking Heads? Maybe it’s the synths or maybe there’s a David Bowie “Fame” vibe I’m hearing? Regardless, I’m glad these guys have returned with new music.
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When I heard the latest Pixies single I was caught off guard. I wasn’t sure what was going on at first? After three listens I’m loving their cover of “Mambo Sun” an incredible T-Rex song. The Pixies take more of a punk rock approach putting their own stamp on this glam stomper. It works, almost sounding like an original pixies tune, with a hint of T-Rex swagger.
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Saint Motel has been releasing a ton of remixes over the quarantine, and I had to do some digging to figure out what they are up to. Their next album will be a three-part experience entitled, The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, which will be released in three volumes, like the three-act structure of a film. The first two parts are out now digitally, and the third is incoming. I was really struck by the great groove on “Preach,” so I included it here, in my Release Radar, for your enjoyment.
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If you’ve been reading this blog you know I love the Middle Kids. What started as a novelty sing-a-long on SiriusXMU, has turned into a lifelong interest. I will forever want to hear what this band puts out, and “R U 4 Me?” fits well in their steady line of singles.
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So Stevie Wonder and Gary Clark got together to give us hope it seems with “Where Is Our Love Song?” The combination is magic, with Gary’s guitar flourishes, and Stevie’s rich voice
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Milky Chance and Jack Johnson should be a good combination, and for the most part, it’s a good tune. It just doesn’t do any more than expected, which is a bit disappointing.
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This week we welcome something a bit more classical. “The Skye Boat Song” is often played as a slow lullaby or waltz, and is a reflective, thought-provoking piece that’s perfect for the transfer of fall to winter.
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Never fear people, I have your jazz, so get ready. Terrace Martin and Alex Isley give us a smooth cover of a 1965 single, by the Impressions, “People Get Ready.” A classic with a new twist, that I’m sure will make many playlists to come.
Retired Chicago Bears great Dan Hampton and his wife, Gina, placed their five-bedroom, all-brick mansion in Burr Ridge for sale on Aug. 19 for just under $1.3 million. (Tom Annerino)
I had a hard-boiled egg for breakfast like I usually do, but this particular morning, the lights in the kitchen were not on when I seasoned the egg with salt and pepper. There was just enough light from the dinning room for me to see the pepper on the egg in the dark kitchen. However, I could not see the salt. I knew I put it on the egg, and I could taste it, yet in the darkness, I could not see this key ingredient.
Even in your darkest moments, your salt, whether it be strength, talent, or something else that makes you win, is there. You may not be able to see it, but if you dare try it, you will find it’s there. You have to trust yourself knowing that it’s in you. It preserves you, gives you flavor, and it will not expire. No matter when the salt was sprinkled or when you were endowed, it’s still there; in good, in bad, in light and in dark, it hasn’t left or lost its ability. Just know that it’s still there.
It was early on the morning of November 9, 2016. I was too distraught to go to sleep. The sun was still a few hours from rising. Even in that dark time, I knew who I would be voting for, or actually against, in the presidential election of 2020. I had no idea who would be the Democratic nominee. It could have been Bernie, Elizabeth, Kamala, Joe, maybe Hillary again, or possibly one of ten or more other choices. It didn’t matter. I was voting for whoever and really it was against the man who just became the President-elect of the United States….Donald Trump.
You’re probably thinking, ‘way to give the man a fair chance’ and under normal circumstances, you’d be right. But, there was nothing normal about Trump back then. He showed us who he was during the year-long campaign he ran to win the presidency. You think it’s normal to ridicule a handicapped journalist? You think it’s normal to trash a Gold Star family. You think it’s normal to talk about dick size with a sitting U.S. Senator during a debate? You think it’s normal to call another Senator’s wife ugly and accuse his father of being a participant in the JFK assassination?
You think this is normal:
“I moved on her, actually. You know, she was down on Palm Beach. I moved on her, and I failed. I’ll admit it. I did try and fuck her. She was married. I moved on her like a bitch. But I couldn’t get there. And she was married. Then all of a sudden I see her, she’s now got the big phony tits and everything. She’s totally changed her look. Yeah, that’s her. With the gold. I better use some Tic Tacs just in case I start kissing her. You know, I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything.”
Nothing normal about any of this, we knew all about it before election day and he still won.
They say that when someone shows you who they really are, believe them. Donald Trump showed us then and I believed him. I still do. That’s why I made my voting decision early. Extremely early!!
With Donald Trump, it’s an either/or thing. You either love him or you hate him. There’s nothing subtle about him. There’s no nuance with him. He doesn’t have layers that you have to unfold to figure out who he really is. Who he is is right in your face.
So, how is it possible there are undecided voters at this stage of the campaign? Two weeks left to go and people are still making up their minds? REALLY?! Is there anything that can possibly change your mind about either candidate? If it turned out that everything about Hunter Biden is true, would that change your mind about voting for his father? If you heard that Donald Trump was leaving all his money to a children’s health organization, would that change your mind? Do any of the candidate’s rallies have any effect on the voters? Will anything you hear at Thursday’s final presidential debate make any difference at all, or will it be a two hour waste of everyone’s time?
At this time, almost forty states have begun the early voting period. Almost twenty-million voters have made their choice. It’s a record breaking number of early ballots being cast. People are waiting in hours long lines to vote. Some of it is because of the pandemic, but much of it is because most of us have already made our voting decision. But there are apparently some undecided voters. You see them on cable news channel focus groups. I can’t figure them out. The choice is clear….on both sides.
So, if you’re really undecided, what are you waiting to hear? What is going to help you make that ultimate decision? You better make your mind up soon. Two weeks is a short amount of time. It’s just going to feel like it’s two years.
My so called friends think it’s time to edit this section. After four years, they may be right, but don’t tell them that. I’ll deny it until they die!
I can’t believe I’ve been writing this blog for four years.
It started as a health/wellness thing and over the years has morphed to include so many things that I don’t know how to describe it anymore.
I really thought this was going to be the final year of the blog but then Donald Trump came along. It looks like we’re good for four more years..God help us all!
Oh yeah…the biographical stuff. I’m not 60 anymore. The rest you can read about in the blog.
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