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Celebrating in Style: Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hillson October 19, 2020 at 2:07 pm

The Good Life

Celebrating in Style: Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

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Celebrating in Style: Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hillson October 19, 2020 at 2:07 pm Read More »

We can deep-six Trump with a Blue tidal-waveon October 19, 2020 at 2:48 pm

The Quark In The Road

We can deep-six Trump with a Blue tidal-wave

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We can deep-six Trump with a Blue tidal-waveon October 19, 2020 at 2:48 pm Read More »

Today, I Am Happy!on October 19, 2020 at 3:24 pm

Dealing With Life On My Own

Today, I Am Happy!

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Today, I Am Happy!on October 19, 2020 at 3:24 pm Read More »

Dear America, I see the pain you’re inon October 19, 2020 at 10:07 pm

Where Are We Going So Fast?

Dear America, I see the pain you’re in

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Dear America, I see the pain you’re inon October 19, 2020 at 10:07 pm Read More »

Dodgers-Rays World Series is a rare wild-card era matchup of baseball’s beston October 19, 2020 at 10:27 pm

ARLINGTON, Texas — The World Series matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays is a rare meeting of baseball’s best for the title, and a matchup of organizations with Andrew Friedman’s imprint.

Friedman was the Rays’ director of baseball operations from 2004-05 and then general manager from until he left in October 2014 to become the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations.

Game 1 is Tuesday night.

Retired first baseman James Loney, a veteran of both organizations, describes the Rays as “feisty.”

“We were always fighting. But we always did feel like we were the better team,” he said Sunday. “I don’t ever feel like we went out there overmatched. We didn’t care who was pitching. We didn’t care what kind of lineup they had. We were bringing that mentality and I think the Rays team this year has that.”

“Both teams are really committed to winning and trying to find any kind of edge they could,” added Loney, who played for the Dodgers from 2006-11 and the Rays from 2013-15. “The Rays are really known for their analytics and getting in there, trying to find different ways to beat hard teams: Is it a bullpen guy that we need to use in maybe an unorthodox situation? And the Dodgers, I felt we kind of started doing that towards the end of my career.”

Despite the shortened schedule and expanded playoffs, the teams with the best record in each league meet in the World Series for just the fourth time since Major League Baseball realigned each league into three divisions in 1995.

Reigning NL MVP Cody Bellinger, newcomer Mookie Betts and manager Dave Roberts’ Dodgers went 43-17, the best record in the National League by eight wins. They overcame a 3-1 deficit in the NL Championship Series, beat Atlanta 4-3 on Bellinger’s late home run in Game 7 Sunday night and reached the World Series for the third time in four years.

Rookie sensation Randy Arozarena and skipper Kevin Cash’s bullpen-rich Rays were 40-20 and topped the American League by four victories. They also won a Game 7, topping Houston 4-2 in the ALCS and earning the second World Series trip in franchise history.

“Going to be a fun Series,” Bellinger said.

Rays players celebrate their ALCS Game 7 win over the Houston Astros.
Rays players celebrate their ALCS Game 7 win over the Houston Astros.
Ashley Landis/AP

Because of its superior record, Los Angeles has “home field advantage” when the neutral-site Series starts in Arlington, Texas, and will bat last in Games 1 and 2, and then in 6 and 7, if necessary.

“From the moment that we were able to put a season together, once they figured out that COVID thing, everybody was expecting us to get to the World Series. We were expecting to get to the World Series,” said Kike Hernandez, who tied Game 7 with a pinch-hit home run in the sixth inning.

About 11,000 fans will be allowed at Globe Life Field, the new home of the Texas Rangers with a retractable roof, for each game.

Corey Seager and AJ Pollock boost LA’s offense and Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw head the pitching staff. The Dodgers won their 24th pennant by getting past Milwaukee, San Diego and Atlanta, but have not won a title since 1988, falling short in a seven-game Series loss to Houston in 2017 and a five-game defeat to Boston the following year.

The Dodgers have won half their pennants since leaving Brooklyn for Los Angeles after the 1957 season.

Tampa Bay is in the Series for the second time and is among six current franchises that have never won, joined by Colorado, Milwaukee, Texas, San Diego and Seattle. The Rays lost to Philadelphia in five games in 2008.

While the Dodgers topped the major leagues with a $95.6 million prorated payroll as of Aug. 1, the Rays were 28th at $29.3 million, according to figures compiled by Major League Baseball. Only Baltimore ($23.8 million) and Pittsburgh ($23.6 million) were lower.

Tampa Bay’s offense is much less known to most fans. The Rays’ top hitter during the season was Brandon Lowe with 14 homers and 37 RBIs, but he slumped to .115 (6 for 52) with two RBIs in the playoffs. Arozarena has been the breakout star of the postseason, hitting .382 with seven homers and 10 RBIs.

Pitching has been key, with Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and Charlie Morton leading the Rays past Toronto, the New York Yankees and Houston. Tampa Bay also is known for taking an innovative approach to the game, employing a versatile staff and occasionally using a four-man outfield.

Since the postseason doubled to eight teams in 1995, the only World Series between the top regular-season records in each league were Atlanta’s victory over Cleveland in 1995, the New York Yankees’ win over the Braves in 1998 and Boston’s triumph over St. Louis in 2013 — all in six games.

Baseball’s postseason keeps getting bigger, expanding to 10 teams in 2012 and 16 this year, when the coronavirus pandemic caused the regular-season schedule for each team to be cut from the normal 162 games.

The Rays and Dodgers haven’t played that much over the years, only 17 times overall. LA has won 10 of them.

Loney is among a group to have played for both teams that includes Carl Crawford, Jose Cruz, Logan Forsythe, Dioner Navarro and J.P. Howell.

And they share a notorious player in common: Manny Ramirez was acquired by the Dodgers from Boston in July 2008 and stayed until August 2010. He signed with the Rays for the 2011 season but retired after five games rather than face a 100-game suspension for a positive drug test.

Tampa Bay began as an expansion team in 1998 and transformed from Devil Rays to plain old Rays for the 2008 season, the first after Stuart Sternberg bought control from founding owner Vince Naimoli. The Rays beat Boston in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series that year as Matt Garza outpitched Jon Lester. Evan Longoria, Willy Aybar and Rocco Baldelli then lost to Philadelphia in a World Series that remains the second-lowest viewed since television ratings are available dating to 1968.

In an attempt to become more of a regional draw, Tampa Bay moved a three-game home series to the Braves’ then-spring training ballpark in Kissimmee in May 2007 and another in April 2008.

The Dodgers are among baseball’s most traditional teams, playing at two ballparks for most of the past century-plus: Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field (1913-57) and Dodger Stadium (since 1962), with a short stop at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (from 1958-61). Dodger Stadium remains one of baseball’s iconic venues, with seats of yellow, light orange, foam green and light blue, and the San Gabriel Mountains beyond the outfield pavilions.

Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg is known for its quirky catwalks that obstruct popups and its largely empty seats. The ballpark was known previously as the Florida Suncoast Dome (1990-93) and ThunderDome (1993-96), and team has fought unsuccessfully for ballpark projects at the site of nearby Al Lang Field (abandoned in 2009) and Ybor City (abandoned in 2018).

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Dodgers-Rays World Series is a rare wild-card era matchup of baseball’s beston October 19, 2020 at 10:27 pm Read More »

The 5 Best Restaurants in River Northon October 19, 2020 at 2:12 pm

Let’s face it: there are endless options for top-notch restaurants in Chicago. But if we had to pick the crème de la crème of River North, here’s where we’d start. From award-winning Chefs using the highest quality ingredients to iconic locations with rich histories, these restaurants certainly take the cake. These are the 5 best restaurants in River North. 

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218 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654

Looking for a romantic twist on a traditional steakhouse? Bavette’s boasts a French flair without the formality, mixing upscale dining with unabashed fun. Popular dishes include Truffle Mac and Cheese, Dry Aged Ribeye, Steak Frites, and Dark Chocolate Pie. Thirsty? Order one of their classic cocktails or browse their well-curated international wine list. Make your reservations here. 

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118 W Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60654

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Peruvian cuisine in Chicago? Yes, please! This stylish restaurant offers an authentic experience with Chef Gaston Acrurio describing it as, “…traveling, celebrating, sharing the flavors and joys of Peru while having fun with respect and gratitude to the Earth.” Get reservations in here. And be sure to order favorites like Chaufa Aeropuerto, Pollo a La Brasa, Ahi Tuna Ceviche, and Grilled Octopus. 

400 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654

For 30 years, this female-owned River North favorite has been dishing up quality steak and seafood, delicious cocktails, with an award-winning wine list. Their newly renovated bar lounge is reminiscent of old-world Chicago with a modern touch. Here’s a fun fact: Kinzie Chophouse is located in the first building erected with steel beams in Chicago! Try their Wild Mushroom Risotto, Prime Rib, Dry-Aged Delmonico, or Ribeye Filet. You won’t be disappointed. Make your reservation here. 

531 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654

In 2011, Chef Giuseppe Tentori opened GT Fish & Oyster in River North, aiming to redefine the American seafood restaurant with just the right blend of refined and rustic, traditional, and inventive. Enjoy a daily selection of fresh oysters, bright coastal cuisine like Alaskan Halibut and Steelhead Trout, plus an endless selection of wines and cocktails. Reserve your table here.

The UM Chicago Merch Hub is Live!

Looking for a dope hoodie or new t-shirt to add to the wardrobe? Check out the UM merch store to grab your fall gear now!

View the UM Merch Store Here

300 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654

Craving Italian fare? Enjoy Tuscan fine dining in a lovely urban atmosphere! Coco Pazzo’s head Chef Jim Kilberg serves up time-honored favorites like Spaghetti, Rigatoni, Penne, and Parmesana as well as thin crust Pizzas and generous appetizers. This River North restaurant is a favorite of celebrities, politicians, and foodies from all over. Get your reservations here. 

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!

Featured Image Credit: Tanta Facebook Page

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Chicago Bears: 3 players whose stock soared in win over Pantherson October 19, 2020 at 2:00 pm

Chicago Bears (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Chicago Bears (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
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Chicago Bears, Eddie Jackson

Chicago Bears (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears are still trying to hit their stride, but a 5-1 record is indicative of some big improvements.

These Chicago Bears have come a long way from what we witnessed in the first half against Detroit in Week 1. Sure, there have been road bumps along the way. But, this Bears team is mightily different after six weeks.

One can point to the leadership and coaching from Nick Foles to his peers as a big reason why the locker room believes. Foles has been nothing short of a leader offering experience and motivation. He’s proven he can handle having the weight on his shoulders, whether or not it appears as a Pro Bowl performance.

Foles is clearly the guy for this team right now.

But, the defense has stepped up immensely. From their performance against Tom Brady and the Bucs to what they did against Teddy Bridgewater most recently, this defense is coming together.

The pass rush is getting more and more dangerous as time goes on, and it’s frightening to think about this unit hitting their stride — because they’re not there yet. Four sacks on Bridgewater felt like twice as many on Sunday, but that’s because the Bears were in his face all day long.

The victory over Carolina showed that this team will again be carried by defense as a whole, and that’s OK. But, the offense should continue to improve as well if they can get the run game figured out. Speaking of which, that’s actually the first area of focus when it comes to stock on the rise. It’s David Montgomery leading the way for three particular players whose stock soared against Carolina.

Next: 1: David Montgomery

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Chicago Bears: Details still lacking from Nagy’s offenseon October 19, 2020 at 3:10 pm

Chicago Bears (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Chicago Bears (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears still an undisciplined football team.

Let’s start by taking a moment to celebrate the fact that the Chicago Bears are 5-1. They currently sit in first place in the NFC North, after the Green Bay Packers got throttled 38-10 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Of course, that is the same Bucs team the Bears came back to beat just a week ago.

However, there are still legitimate reasons for concern — most notably, the lack of attention to the “details” that head coach Matt Nagy emphasized so much heading into the Carolina Panthers game.

Nagy gave an impassioned press conference in which he underscored the offensive unit’s need to be more detail-oriented, suggesting that some of their troubles scoring were attributable to their lack of focus on those details.

Seeing as how it was a point of emphasis all week, and considering that the Bears had 10 days to prepare for and work on adherence to those details, it was reasonable to expect the team to come out and execute with precision.

However, that did not happen. And it became apparent very early in the game that this team still lacks the attention to detail Nagy demands. Nagy is certainly not without blame, as some of the mental errors fell on his shoulders.

Let’s start with the Bears’ first offensive possession following their interception of Teddy Bridgewater. On 2nd and Goal from the Carolina 6-yard line, the Bears were forced to call a timeout. Coming out of that timeout, you would expect everyone to be on the same page in terms of the play and possible audibles. However, the Bears took a delay of game for a 5-yard penalty which is inexcusable coming out of a timeout.

After giving up a field goal, the Bears had a chance to regain the momentum on their next offensive possession. Chicago had moved the ball to the Panthers’ 48-yard line where it was now 3rd and 3. Nick Foles completed a pass to Anthony Miller who had enough for the first down, yet inexplicably ran backward to try to gain more yards, and was tackled short of the first-down marker, resulting in a punt.

Finally, and perhaps the most egregious mental errors of the game came late in the third quarter with the Bears up 14 points. A defensive stop could have salted the game away, but the Panthers scored a touchdown aided in large part due to two crucial penalties. On 4th and 1 from the Carolina 34-yard line, the Bears were penalized for having too many men on the field. Again, unforgivable, especially on fourth down.

To make matters worse, merely three plays later, the Bears were penalized again for having too many men on the field. This is an unforced mental mistake that simply shouldn’t happen, to say nothing of the fact that this immediately followed a defensive offsides.

Next: Time to take the Bears seriously

The Bears have some areas where they need to improve, but perhaps at the top of that list is the need to avoid so many mental mistakes. If they don’t, it is going to cost them dearly.

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Man charged along with Casey Urlacher in sports gambling ring gets home detentionon October 19, 2020 at 4:16 pm

A federal judge Monday gave three months of home detention to an 85-year-old man caught up in a sports gambling prosecution that led to the indictment earlier this year of the brother of Chicago Bears great Brian Urlacher.

Eugene “Geno” DelGiudice pleaded guilty in July to conspiring to conduct an illegal gambling business, becoming the first of the 10 people charged in the case last February to be convicted. Among those charged is Casey Urlacher, mayor of north suburban Mettawa.

Vincent “Uncle Mick” DelGiudice, Eugene DelGiudice’s son, is set to plead guilty next week, court records show. Also charged in the case are Matthew “Sweaters” Knight of Mokena, Justin Hines of Algonquin, Keith D. Benson of Lemont, Todd Blanken of Cary, Nicholas Stella of Chicago, Matthew Namoff of Midlothian and Vasilios Prassas of Chicago.

Casey Urlacher (right) walks with his attorney, Michael Gillespie, into the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.
Casey Urlacher (right) walks with his attorney, Michael Gillespie, into the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times file

Prosecutors earlier this month asked U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall to give Eugene DelGiudice a sentence of probation with home detention, noting he has lived a “largely law-abiding life” — aside from a 1996 fine for a gambling offense — and would be at high risk for severe illness or death if he were to contract COVID-19.

Kendall ordered Eugene DelGiudice to serve one year of probation, spending the first three months on home detention. The sentencing hearing took place by videoconference due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Before the judge handed down the sentence, defense attorney David Petrich explained that Eugene DelGiudice was “unaware of the mechanics” of the gambling ring and was “unable to use a computer.” He said DelGiudice “in no way threatened any of the gamblers.”

Eugene DelGiudice apologized, explained that the people involved in the ring “came to feel like my friends” and, in his advanced age, made him feel useful.

“I know what I did was wrong and I’m sorry,” he said. “I don’t have an excuse, so I ain’t gonna make any.”

Eugene DelGiudice’s sentencing further opened a window into the alleged multimillion-dollar sports gambling ring the feds say involved as many as 1,000 people. Vincent DelGiudice allegedly paid more than $10,000 a month for the use of the website unclemicksports.com. Gamblers then used that site to view odds, place bets on sporting events and monitor winnings and losses. Vincent DelGiudice also allegedly found “agents” to help him recruit gamblers.

The feds say Eugene DelGiudice played an integral role as a “runner” — collecting and delivering large sums of cash at his son’s direction and sometimes collecting tips along the way. Prosecutors said the gambling ring generated millions of dollars in proceeds annually, used encrypted communications tools and “engaged in significant money laundering.”

They also said “lives have been destroyed” by the gambling ring that “preyed on vulnerable individuals, many of whom were hopelessly addicted to gambling.”

“The government has met with victims whose careers, marriages, family life, and lives were jeopardized and harmed by their affiliation with the gambling enterprise,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Ankur Srivastava wrote in a court memo earlier this month.

For example, Srivastava wrote about one gambler who fell behind on his debts only to have the agent he owed money to threaten to come to a wedding the gambler planned to attend. Srivastava wrote that the gambler “was not aware of how the agent even knew about the wedding, and interpreted the agent’s statements as a threat to physically harm him.”

When that gambler’s wife fell ill and was hospitalized, Srivastava wrote that the gambler asked for more time to pay his debt. Instead, the agent allegedly began sending him pictures of his ill wife’s social media feed. The gambler took that as a threat that the agent would disclose his gambling habit to his wife if he didn’t pay, Srivastava wrote. Ultimately, the prosecutor said the gambler embezzled money from his employer and now faces federal charges in another district.

“That is just one gambler’s story, and there are undoubtedly many more like it,” Srivastava wrote, adding that Eugene DelGiudice was not personally involved in pressuring gamblers but “assisted the criminal venture in preying upon the gambling enterprise’s many victims.”

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Man charged along with Casey Urlacher in sports gambling ring gets home detentionon October 19, 2020 at 4:16 pm Read More »