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If you watched the Chicago Bears dismantle Las Vegas on Sunday, I’m sure there were a number of positive takeaways you walked away with. Everything ranging from the defensive game-plan to the running attack was extremely impressive. Like many, I myself walked away with the resounding conclusion that Justin Fields has arrived in Chicago. No, […] Chicago Bears: Justin Fields has officially arrived – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & MoreRead More

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Rob Holt, who’s earned the nickname “Cane Guy”, will be at Game 4 between the White Sox and Astros. | FOX Sports: MLB via Twitter

Today’s update is a 5-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.

Good afternoon. Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about a 5-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.

This afternoon will be windy with thunderstorms likely and a high near 79 degrees. The National Weather Service says the storms could bring damaging hail, wind and tornados to the area. Tonight the storms are expected to continue with a low around 60. Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy with a high near 71.

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Meet ‘Cane Guy,’ the lifelong White Sox fan who worked his magic in Game 3 win

Rob Holt doesn’t exactly remember when it happened. He believes it was around the second inning of Game 3 of the American League Division Series Sunday evening.

The White Sox were trailing the Houston Astros 3-1. Fans were growing increasingly worried that their beloved team — on the brink of elimination after dropping the first two games in the best-of-five series — was quickly falling into a hole it couldn’t climb out of.

After watching a Sox player struggle at the plate, Holt pointed his wooden cane and told the player to hit the ball into left field.

Miraculously, it worked.

A man sitting near Holt cheered him on, saying: “Oh, dude. Way to go!”

“Actually, it was utterly ridiculous,” Holt recalled.

And the rest is history.

What started as a joke quickly turned into a silly superstition of sorts.

Holt, 71, did it for the next batter, and sure enough, it worked again.

Read the full story from Madeline Kenney, who spoke with Holt before he attends the now-postponed Game 4 of the series tomorrow.

More news you need

A woman died early Sunday after her car fell off the Dan Ryan Expressway and landed in a parking lot in the Armour Square neighborhood. The woman’s car went airborne and flew over the highway’s concrete barrier after hitting crash barrels separating local and express lanes, police say.

Three people were killed and at least 39 others wounded in shootings across Chicago since Friday evening. Our staff has more on the weekend gun violence.

For the first time in its history, Northwestern University has named a woman to lead the institution. Rebecca M. Blank will become the school’s 17th president when she takes over the gig in summer 2022, the school announced today.

Not long after her husband made a stop in the Chicago area, First Lady Jill Biden is scheduled to be in Chicago on Tuesday and Wednesday to honor National Hispanic Heritage Month. Lynn Sweet has the latest on what the first lady plans to do during her trip.

“Dopesick,” the new A-list Hulu miniseries that aims to tell the story of painkiller addiction from multiple angles, feels like “a missed opportunity to be something great,” our Richard Roeper writes. Read Roeper’s full review before the series premieres Wednesday on Hulu.

A bright one

Bethany Thomas soars in ‘Songs for Nobodies’ one-woman show

There are five iconic, globally famous somebodies and five titular “nobodies” onstage in Northlight Theatre’s return to live performance, each one embodied with exquisite nuance by veteran Chicago actress Bethany Thomas.

Director Rob Lindley cast the roughly 100-minute, one-woman musical by Joanna Murray Smith well. Thomas is equally powerful belting alto-fueled, blood-in-the-water blues and piercing the soprano stratosphere with the most delicate of operatic arias. “Songs for Nobodies” gives her a chance to stretch every last vocal and acting muscle in that formidable range.

Michael Brosilow
Bethany Thomas stars in “Songs For Nobodies” at Northlight Theatre.

As Judy Garland, Billie Holiday, Patsy Cline, Maria Callas and Edith Piaf, Thomas shines in the production running through Oct. 31 at the Skokie venue. As five not-famous women whose lives briefly intersected with those luminaries, Thomas provides intriguing insight into the formative impact great music can have on people, no matter how famous or (seemingly) forgettable.

In Lindley’s minimalist staging, Thomas transforms with each new story of a starry encounter, not so much impersonating Judy, Billie et al, so much as capturing their energy and the myriad emotions that defined their music. We’re listening to the sound of secrets, as divulged by some of the greatest female vocalists of all time.

And while it’s not exactly mimicry, if you close your eyes during “Lady Sings the Blues” or “Come Rain or Come Shine” — or any of the other dozen or so numbers playwright Smith packs in amid the dialogue — you’d swear you hearing the originals.

Read the rest of Catey Sullivan’s highly positive review of “Songs for Nobodies” here.

From the press box

As we briefly mentioned before, Game 4 of the Sox-Astros series has been postponed due to the weather currently in the Chicago area. Instead the game will be played tomorrow at 1:07 p.m.
Russell Dorsey on how young Sox outfielder Luis Robert was built for the postseason stage.
After the Bears’ 20-9 win over the Raiders yesterday, our reporters break it all down: Patrick Finley on one key area Justin Fields needs to improve in, Jason Lieser on the Matt Nagy-Bill Lazor dynamic, and Mark Potash on a running attack that’s held together despite blocking issues and David Montgomery’s absence.

Your daily question ?

Thousands of people completed the 26.2-mile Chicago Marathon yesterday. What’s the greatest athletic accomplishment of your life?

Send us an email at [email protected] and we might feature your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.

On Friday, we asked you: What’s the best way to avoid rush-hour traffic in Chicago? Here’s what some of you said…

“Honestly, there is no way to ‘avoid’ rush-hour traffic, it will always be there. The only thing you can do is avoid being in the rush-hour traffic. Good luck with that.” — Mike Czmil

“Find a job outside the city. I dreaded seeing a single snowflake or drop of rain, knowing my commute would double.” — Jason Briski

“If you must drive use side streets. Public transportation has ALWAYS been a safe and economical way to travel.” — Tajan Harris

“Take public transportation. Between the Metra, Pace, and CTA buses & trains it’s the easiest way.” — Becca Cleeland

“Embrace the CTA and METRA!” — Dragan Stevanovic

“Leave to work before 6 a.m. and leave Chicago before 2:30 p.m.” — Judy Bellinder Potilechio

“Take public transportation. It kills two birds with one stone: traffic and pollution.” — Debra Ricobene

Thanks for reading the Chicago Sun-Times Afternoon Edition. Got a story you think we missed? Email us here.

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AP Photos

Lance Lynn will be available in bullpen, Giolito likely starter for Game 5 (if necessary)

Carlos Rodon is still on for Game 4, and Lance Lynn will be available in the bullpen.

If the Sox can force a deciding Game 5 with a victory, Lucas Giolito would start again in Houston, where he started in Game 2.

The White Sox are looking for their first good outing from a starter in the American League Division Series against the Astros, and they are banking on Rodon, who has dealt with shoulder soreness the last several weeks, to deliver in Game 4 Tuesday at Guaranteed Rate Field. It was scheduled to be played Monday afternoon but expected rain prompted Major League Baseball to postpone it a day.

“That’s exciting,” manager Tony La Russa said Tuesday morning, about 11 hours after holding a press conference in the same chair at Guaranteed Rate Field after the Sox beat the Astros 12-6 in a draining four and a half hour game Sunday night. “A must win [Tuesday], and we can get to Game 5. I don’t know what Houston is saying, but that game was so long and with a quick turnaround, this makes for better baseball Tuesday.”

La Russa said everyone used in the bullpen with the exception of Michael Kopech would have been available Monday. But the extra day is welcome.

“Having the extra day off definitely is going to be a little bit of deep breath and a breather for us and to be able to go back out for Game 4,” said Aaron Bummer, who struck out four in 1 2/3 innings of perfect relief.

Rodon wasn’t perfect in two starts against the Astros this season, but not far from it, allowing one run over 14 innings, and he is saying he feels better with each day. He told La Russa he could pitch in relief Sunday.

Lynn, who gave up five runs in 3 2/3 innings in Game 1, had his cleats on in the bullpen during the Sox’ 12-6 win over the Astros Monday at Guaranteed Rate Field. He pitched in relief for the World Series champion Cardinals as a rookie for La Russa in 2011, so it’s not foreign territory for the 33-year-old veteran.

Having Lynn available as a long relief option is a good thing knowing Kopech, who pitched 2 1/3 innings innings of three-run ball and threw 47 pitches Sunday, needs two days rest and won’t be available till a possible Game 5.

Everyone else in the bullpen will be available Tuesday after Ryan Tepera (two innings), Bummer (1 2/3 innings), Craig Kimbrel (one batter), and Liam Hendriks (one inning) combed for five masterful innings of perfect relief Sunday.

Having a day of rest before an elimination game is big.

“We all wanted to play [Monday] to keep this thing rolling and keep the momentum, but yeah, the extra day off definitely helps our bullpen,” said Bummer, who struck out four of the five batters he faced Sunday. “We used a lot of guys yesterday, a couple guys longer than what we’re used to.”

Another day probably didn’t hurt Rodon, either, even though he hasn’t pitched since last Wednesday when he threw five scoreless innings against the Reds. With 91 mph velocity, though, the concern is how that might play against the Astros’ vaunted lineup.

“It all depends which Rodon is present,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said after Game 3. “According to our reports he isn’t throwing as hard as he has before.”

“It would be better, the more velocity he has, the better his chances are of getting a lineup like that out,” La Russa said. “He is saying that he feels better, and the way he explains it, I think we’ll have more than he did that last game against Cincinnati, but let’s wait and see. But if he has more and he is throwing in the middle of the plate, it’s not better than if he had less and was hitting his spot. So, that’s why it’s pitching, not throwing.”

“I think it’s going to be a little different than the last couple of times,” Rodon told reporters Saturday. “I feel like the adrenaline is going to carry me through and I feel good right now. I think I’m going to have the stuff that I had before.”

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Thousands flock to Soldier Field before the Chicago Bears take on the Detroit Lions on Oct. 3. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

When Hurricane Katrina hammered New Orleans in 2005, the Superdome was found to be totally inadequate to house the thousands of people who sought shelter there.

On Monday, the Sun-Times editorial board suggested that the city possibly could keep the Chicago Bears in town by offering vacant land for a new stadium. While we’re talking about that, here’s something else to consider: Any new stadium should be domed and capable of use during a crisis due, whether due to climate change or a future pandemic.

This should go for any new stadium or large convention center across the country. They should all include medical personnel stations, electrical generators and extra toilet facilities to meet the needs of people victimized by hurricanes, tornados or contagions.

When Hurricane Katrina hammered New Orleans in 2005, the Superdome was found to be totally inadequate to the needs of the thousands of people who sought shelter there.

Larry Vigon, Jefferson Park

SEND LETTERS TO: [email protected]. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes. Letters should be approximately 350 words or less.

Explanation for carjackings

Why are criminals committing so many carjackings? Because they can. In the name of law enforcement reform, we now see convicted felons being released without bail, fewer police officers on the street, a county prosecutor who won’t prosecute and new rules that limit the ability of the police, in vehicles and on foot, to chase after criminals.

Why not jack yourself a new ride?

Terry Takash, Western Springs

Christopher Columbus in 2021

Columbus Day remains a holiday near and dear to many Americans. Perhaps that’s because Columbus, lucky for him, didn’t live in an era of Twitter or other social media. After all, he did wipe out the indigenous people on an island in the Caribbean.

Those of us who don’t celebrate his special day can take comfort in knowing that he’d never be eligible to host “Jeopardy!”

Bob Ory, Elgin

Two senators run the show

If you didn’t like Trump and don’t like Biden, don’t fret, because now we’ve got President Joe Manchin and Vice President Kyrsten Sinema. Think of it as a bloodless coup. This new administration has promised finally to make public their agenda, which will no doubt will titled “Our Way or No Way.”

Jack Sokol, Lemont

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Actor-singer Bing Crosby appears in Los Angeles on Sept. 20, 1959. | AP

The Crosby deal is the most prominent involving a pre-rock artist who primarily interpreted songs written by others.

NEW YORK — Harry Crosby was 19 when his father, Bing, died in 1977. But when he goes to a shopping mall or party in December, there’s a strong chance he’ll hear his dad’s voice singing “White Christmas.”

He and his family want to hear that voice more during the other 11 months, a desire that led to a deal being announced Monday to sell an equal stake in the rights to Bing Crosby’s estate to Primary Wave Music.

It’s another example of how the sale of catalog rights has become a booming business, with most involving rock artists who write their own music — Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Neil Young and Stevie Nicks are examples. The Crosby deal is the most prominent involving a pre-rock artist who primarily interpreted songs written by others.

The deal is estimated in excess of $50 million.

A younger generation knows Crosby best through “White Christmas” and the duet with David Bowie on “The Little Drummer Boy” made for a television special shortly before his death. Fewer people alive remember Crosby’s days as a major recording artist and movie star.

“There were things that became absolutely top hits in the ’30s and ’40s, for a sustained period of time, and they just went away,” Harry Crosby said. “People associate dad with Christmas, but in the ’40s and ’50s, they didn’t associate him with Christmas. They associated dad with tons of things, and that’s what I want to bring back.”

Some of his hit songs include “Pennies From Heaven,” “It’s Been a Long, Long Time,” “Don’t Fence Me In” and “Accentuate the Positive.”

Crosby won an Academy Award for best actor for playing a priest in the 1945 film “Going My Way,” and made seven “road” movies with his friend, comic Bob Hope. His association with golf is also remembered, as he created the first pro-am tournament and was reportedly a member of 75 golf clubs.

Crosby’s family, which includes his widow and two of Harry’s siblings, have been interested in a documentary series to tell Bing’s story.

Primary Wave’s first priority is to increase Crosby’s digital footprint, to boost his profile on Spotify and get his music added to playlists for a generation unfamiliar with it, said Larry Mestel, the company’s founder and CEO.

“We want to be in business and partner with the greatest of the greats, regardless of the genre, regardless of the era,” Mestel said. Primary Wave also works with the estates of Count Basie and Ray Charles.

The challenge lies in infiltrating a new youth culture with the work of a mature artist, he said. Unlike many of the rock-era artists involved in such deals, Crosby obviously isn’t around to perform or promote his work.

But while song publishing is at the heart of many such deals, Mestel said Primary Wave takes a broader look at ways to get an artist’s name out there and, of course, make money off his likeness or work. He sees enormous potential in Crosby’s film properties.

“The way I view dad is not just through the prism of music and film,” Crosby said. “He was a pioneer in all the different mediums and all the things that came out of that — technology and music and golf, sportsmanship and hunting. There are a lot of different things that describe the human being.”

The times that he hears “White Christmas” while out in public brings a smile to Crosby.

“I miss him a lot,” he said. “It’s a time of reflection. It’s not painful, it’s inspiring. It’s reassuring that with all of the things he did and as hard as he worked, that he’s being recognized again and again.”

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