A man was killed and a teen girl was wounded in a shooting May 25, 2021, in the 4700 block of West Arthington Street. | Sun-Times file
About 2:10 a.m., the man, 31, and the girl, 16, were sitting in a vehicle in the 4700 block of West Arthington Street, when someone approached and fired multiple shots.
A man was killed, and a teen girl was wounded in a shooting Tuesday morning in Lawndale on the West Side.
About 2:10 a.m., the man, 31, and the girl, 16, were sitting in a vehicle in the 4700 block of West Arthington Street, when someone approached and fired multiple shots, Chicago police said.
The man was struck in the head and brought to Mt. Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said. The girl was struck in the leg and brought to Stroger Hospital where her condition was stabilized.
Twelve people were shot, two fatally, including two 17-year-old boys who were shot, one fatally, in Tri-Taylor on the Near West Side.
They were on the sidewalk about 9:10 p.m. in the 500 block of South Oakley Boulevard, when someone in a silver-colored BMW opened fire, Chicago police said. One boy was shot in the chest and taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not been released. The other was struck in the shoulder and taken to the same hospital in fair condition.
A 56-year-old man was shot to death in West Garfield Park. Officers found the man unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the neck about 1:30 a.m. in the 4500 block of West Maypole Avenue, Chicago police said. He was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
In non-fatal shootings, an 86-year-old woman was struck by a stray bullet while watering her lawn in West Garfield Park. She was outside about 9:46 p.m. in the 4300 block of West Monroe Street, when someone fired shots from a dark-colored Dodge Charger, police said. The woman was struck in the foot and refused medical treatment at the scene.No other injuries were reported. Police said the 86-year-old was not the intended target of the shooting.
A man helping a friend with car trouble was shot and critically wounded during a struggle with a carjacker in West Lawn. The 28-year-old had just finished changing his friend’s flat tire about 6:25 p.m. in the 4700 block of West 64th Street, when a male approached and tried to take the man’s car keys, police said. A struggle ensued, and the carjacker pulled out a gun, but the man knocked the gun from the carjacker’s hand. The carjacker retrieved the gun and fired a shot, striking the man in the head. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition.
About an hour prior a man is in critical condition after being shot in Lawndale on the West Side. The 27-year-old was outside about 5:20 p.m. in the 2200 block of South Keeler Avenue when someone opened fire, striking him in the chest and hand, police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition.
Minutes prior, a man and a teenage girl were shot in South Chicago. A 33-year-old man was in front of a residence about 5:15 p.m. in the 8200 block of South Houston Avenue when someone opened fire, striking him in the back, police said. A 17-year-old girl who was riding in a vehicle in the area was struck in the shoulder. The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was in good condition. Later, the girl walked into Jackson Park Hospital for treatment, and she was transferred to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.
A man was shot in Chatham on the South Side. About 4 p.m., he was in the 8100 block of South Vernon Avenue when someone opened fire, striking him in the shoulder, police said. The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where his condition was stabilized.
Four others were wounded in shootings citywide.
Last weekend was the deadliest weekend of the year, with twelve people killed, and forty-two people wounded citywide.
Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta won’t get a vaccine. He says the knowledge is still unsettled. | Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Some players are creating their own competitive disadvantage because they refuse to take one for the team.
It’s just plain pitiful the Cubs can’t get to the 85% COVID vaccination rate needed to relax all kinds of rules.
According to MLB spokesman Mike Teevan, 14 teams have reached that threshold, two more are waiting to be cleared and several others are getting close.
But not the Cubs.
The White Sox are there, and have been since mid-May.
These are but a few of the things they can do that the Cubs can’t: go mask-free in the dugout and clubhouse, go in groups to restaurants, meet with three or more teammates in hotel rooms, talk to managers without masks, go mask-free on the team airplane.
The list goes on.
Basically getting to 85% means you can become semi-human again in this crazy world. It means you can play baseball better, communicate better, be less of a virus threat to your fellow man.
What getting there entails is this: sit down, roll up your sleeve, get jabbed. Then, if you got one of the double-dose vaccines, do it again two weeks later.
Voila! You are protected from the coronavirus that has sickened 33 million Americans and killed almost 600,000.
To refuse the vaccine — which is available everywhere, even at many ballparks — is to draw a line in the sand that says something about your education, beliefs, awareness, personality, fears and empathy (or lack thereof).
You could hear the suppressed dismay verging on anger in Cubs president Jed Hoyer’s voice when he acknowledged the team’s failure to vaccinate.
“I think we’re at a place right now, candidly, where I’m not going to give up hope that we can get there, but my level of optimism is waning, candidly,’’ he said.
When you use “candidly’’ twice in one sentence, folks, you’re ticked off.
But, of course, these are modern times, and he daren’t offend a gazillion-dollar star player or even run-of-the-mill bench players because they might rebel. Or their agents might. Or their union.
Nor is this about something unknown, dangerous, experimental. Of course, the vaccine is new — COVID itself has only been around for 17 months — but this is as safe as we can get for now, and it’s for sure the vaccine is a lot more pleasant than a full-blown case of the disease.
Blame the internet and the damaging words of former president Donald Trump for a lot of the disinformation. Remember when he said getting bleach into the body might be a possible remedy? Or that the virus was “under control’’ when only 500 people had died? Etc.
And the anti-vaxxers and fake-news people never cease their screed on various websites and platforms. And players are free to believe all the anti-science they want.
Right-hander Jake Arrieta, who won’t get a vaccine, says the knowledge is unsettled.
“Seems like things change daily,’’ he said. “So who knows?’’
Well, experts do. And they want us all to get vaccinated.
I even have a scientific article declaring Bill Gates did not put controlling micro-chips in the vaccine. So rest easy, conspiracy-minded Cubs.
As best can be told, the holdouts are mostly white players. All the Latin players on the team apparently have been vaccinated. And there are few Blacks and no Asians.
Shortstop Javy Baez, from Puerto Rico, even did a public-service ad for Walgreens, urging people to get their shots.
Then there’s second baseman Eric Sogard, whose wife, Kaycee, went on Instagram and called MLB’s COVID policy “absolutely disgusting.’’
Third baseman Kris Bryant got his shots, and he has said he “feels great’’ and has “great peace of mind to just go out there and play baseball.’’
Yet a bunch of his teammates won’t budge.
You don’t fight illogic and false beliefs with logic and real facts.
But you could simply get angry about supposed teammates who won’t consider anyone else in their health equations, who won’t, quite literally, take one for the team.
We are even trying bribes to get reluctant people to get their shots. Free hot dogs, beer, money, hunting licenses, on and on. In Ohio, you can win $1 million in a lottery, kids can win free college scholarships — just for doing what every citizen should do.
Herd immunity, which probably means at least 70% vaccinated, is the dream for our country. MLB’s standard is even higher. That’s sweet. Pro sports should lead the way.
COVID and quarantining have wreaked havoc with starting lineups throughout baseball, and, as Hoyer said, getting vaccinated is a ‘‘competitive advantage.’’
This is undeniable.
Guess the Cubs like playing from a hole. One they dug themselves.
A shooting left two people wounded, including a teenage girl, May 24, 2021, in South Chicago. | File photo/Getty Images
The shooting happened in the 8200 block of South Houston Avenue, police said.
A man and a teenage girl were shot Monday in South Chicago.
A 33-year-old man was in front of a residence about 5:15 p.m. in the 8200 block of South Houston Avenue when someone opened fire, striking him in the back, Chicago police said.
A 17-year-old girl who was riding in a vehicle in the area when shots were fired was struck in the shoulder, police said.
The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was in good condition, police said.
Later, the girl walked into Jackson Park Hospital for treatment, and she was transferred to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition, police said.
A woman was shot May 24, 2021, in West Garfield Park. | Sun-Times file photo
The woman was struck in the foot and refused medical treatment at the scene, police said. No other injuries were reported.
An 86-year-old woman was struck by a stray bullet while watering her lawn Monday in West Garfield Park.
She was outside about 9:46 p.m. in the 4300 block of West Monroe Street when someone fired shots from a dark-colored Dodge Charger, Chicago police said.
The woman was struck in the foot and refused medical treatment at the scene, police said. No other injuries were reported.
Police said the 86-year-old was not the intended target of the shooting.
Chicago police work a crime scene where a man was shot in the head and his vehicle stolen in the 6400 block of South Cicero Avenue, Monday May 24, 2021. The man was helping change a friend’s flat tire when he was shot. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
The 28-year-old was in critical condition at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, police said.
A man helping a friend with car trouble was shot and critically wounded during a struggle with a carjacker Monday in West Lawn, police said.
The 28-year-old had just finished changing his friend’s flat tire about 6:25 p.m. in the 4700 block of West 64th Street when a male approached and tried to take the man’s car keys, Chicago police said.
A struggle ensued, and the carjacker pulled out a gun, police said, but the man knocked the gun from the carjacker’s hand.
The carjacker retrieved the gun and fired a shot, striking the man in the head, police said.
He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition, police said.
The suspect fled in the man’s dark-blue Nissan Altima, police said. He was described as 18 to 25 years old and about 6-foot-1. He was wearing dark clothing and a ski mask.
The FBI’s Chicago office issued an alert for the Altima after the shooting, warning residents not to approach and to call 911 if they spot it.
Have you seen this vehicle? Law enforcement is searching for this Nissan (IL CA 91727) involved in a violent carjacking in which 1 person was shot. Your tip could be worth a reward. Call 1-800-CALL-FBI or report anonymously at https://t.co/5KoqNDuLO3. pic.twitter.com/NlmRi8oNjV
A teen was killed and another wounded in a shooting May 24, 2021, in Tri-Taylor. | Sun-Times file photo
They were on the sidewalk about 9:10 p.m. in the 500 block of South Oakley Boulevard when someone in a silver-colored BMW opened fire, Chicago police said.
Two 17-year-old boys were shot, one fatally, Monday in Tri-Taylor on the Near West Side.
They were on the sidewalk about 9:10 p.m. in the 500 block of South Oakley Boulevard when someone in a silver-colored BMW opened fire, Chicago police said.
One boy was shot in the chest and taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. His identity has not been released.
The other was struck in the shoulder and taken to the same hospital in fair condition, police said.
Police investigate the scene of a shooting May 24, 2021, near 64th and Cicero in West Lawn. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
The 28-year-old was in critical condition at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, police said.
A man helping a friend with car trouble was shot during a struggle with a carjacker Thursday in West Lawn, police said.
The 28-year-old had just finished changing his friend’s flat tire about 6:25 p.m. in the 4700 block of West 64th Street when a male approached and tried to take the man’s car keys, Chicago police said.
A struggle ensued, and the carjacker pulled out a gun, police said, but the man knocked the gun from the carjacker’s hand.
The carjacker retrieved the gun and fired a shot, striking the man in the head, police said.
He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition, police said.
The suspect fled in the man’s dark-blue Nissan Altima, police said.
At the scene, officers placed several evidence markers around a wrench and what appeared to be a weapon magazine.
The suspect was described as 18 to 25 years old and about 6-foot-1. He was wearing dark clothing and a ski mask.
Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon has struck out 5.17 batters for every walk he has allowed this season. | Frank Franklin II/AP
Baseball by the Numbers: The Sox’ Carlos Rodon and the Cubs’ Adbert Alzolay are part of a growing trend.
As strikeouts continue to soar in baseball, so do strikeout-to-walk ratios. White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon and Cubs right-hander Adbert Alzolay have joined the trend.
In the American League-National League era starting in 1901, the top 11 seasons for K/BB ratio are the last 11. The 2019 season leads the parade with 2.69 strikeouts per walk. The ratio is a tad higher in 2021 — 2.70 — through Sunday.
With 62 strikeouts and 12 walks, including 13 strikeouts and no walks in six innings Friday against the Yankees, Rodon’s ratio stands at 5.17. Alzolay, who struck out six and walked none in seven innings Saturday against the Cardinals, has an even better ratio at 6.43 (45 strikeouts, seven walks).
Neither has quite enough innings to be listed among the leaders, but if innings are set at 42, Alzolay ranks eighth and Rodon 16th in the majors.
Gerrit Cole (11.50), Zach Eflin (11.40) and Julio Urias (10.00) are on paces that would break Curt Schilling’s modern-era (1901 and later) record of 9.58 in 2002.
At his pace, Rodon would rank high in Sox history. Among Sox pitchers with enough innings to qualify for the ERA title, only Chris Sale has exceeded five strikeouts per walk three times. Sale set a club record at 6.52 strikeouts per walk in 2015 and was at 5.33 in 2014 and 5.18 in 2016.
The Cubs’ record is held by Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins, who struck out 7.11 per walk in 1971 (263 strikeouts, 37 walks).
Jenkins had exceptional walk rates throughout his career, but the current trend is driven by the strikeout explosion, not by a reduction in walks.
In 2010, pitchers struck out 7.1 batters per nine innings. The strikeout rate has increased every season since, reaching 8.9 in 2020 and 9.1 so far in 2021.
Walks stood at 3.3 per nine innings in 2010, were at 3.5 in 2020 and are at 3.4 in 2021. They declined to 2.9 in 2014 and 2015 but have recovered since.
The result is that there are more walks now than there were in 2010, but the K/BB ratio that hit a record 2.17 in 2010 has mushroomed to the 2.69 and 2.70 of 2020-21 because there are so many more strikeouts.
The walk rate has waxed and waned within a narrow range for nearly 90 years. Except for 2014-15, it has been at 3.0 or higher every season since 1923 and reached four only twice, with 4.1 in 1949 and 1950.
But strikeouts climb higher and higher, confounding fans who want to see balls in play and baserunning. Turning around the trend will require teams to see benefit in giving roster space to contact hitters. That could require rules changes under consideration, such as moving the mound back, lowering the mound and restricting defensive shifts.
For now, rising K/BB ratios are part of the game, with Alzolay and Rodon ahead of the curve.
