Events Tue Feb 09 2010
Like pasta? Love roller girls? Then you're going to love this.
Local roller derby league The Outfit is having their Second Annual Spaghetti Wrestling event on Feburary 19 on the second floor of Exit (1315 W. North Ave). Enjoy drink specials, raffle prizes, and, of course, derby girls wrestling in spaghetti.
The whole shebang kicks off at 11 p.m. There's no cover charge, but the gals appreciate any donations -- proceeds will go toward league expenses for their upcoming 2010 season (which begins April 24) as well as the charity Action Against Hunger in Haiti.
— Kara Luger /
Bears Fri Feb 05 2010
With an extended cameo by the 1985 Bears.
— Andrew Huff /
Bulls Thu Feb 04 2010
Two days, two losses for the Bulls. After a sterling effort on their recent Western road trip, Chicago cooked up a remix version of the energized offensive and defensive efforts against playoff bound competition called, cleverly enough, "Lackluster Effort Against Two sub-.500 Teams In a Row, Vol. 1" On Tuesday night, Chicago showed the utter lack of zip and "legs" common after an extended and travel-intensive road trip (seven games in eleven days, ouch) and were outmanned and outhustled at every turn by the "our record looks worse than it actually is," LA Clippers. Credit where credit's due, the Clippers played to win and Chicago sorta phoned it in (and yes, the Clips won the season series 2-0). Last night against Philadelphia, it was a different story.
Continue reading this entry »
— Brian Lauvray /
After an extended road trip (and extended posting vacation, sorry), the United Center will be packed tonight for the long-awaited return of the Blackhawks, who face off against the St. Louis Blues at 7:30 p.m. The Hawks return to Chicago in fine shape, having gone 5-3 on their season-long 8 game trip, with the only real poor effort a 5-1 loss in Vancouver to the hated Canucks, though a 4-2 loss in Carolina to end the trip left a bit of a sour taste
Vancouver was also the site of the two biggest storylines of the trip (the Canucks Ryan Kesler calling Andrew Ladd a coward after Ladd dropped him with a single punch and those infamous party-boy limo photos of Patrick Kane, Kris Versteeg and John Madden), but those both already feel like ancient history in the scheme of things. The Hawks just keep playing their game and getting wins to keep in the thick of the race for the Western Conference top spot. (As a further aside, the photo story was more comedy than controversy to me, but something that also probably happens a fair amount, just not with cameras present).
Tonight's game begins a reduced-February schedule, with 4 of 6 games at the United Center before an extended Olympic break. These games represent a chance for Chicago to gain some points before a hectic March schedule finds the team with 15 games in 30 days. Given that Chicago has 6 players heading back to Vancouver for the Winter Games, that glut of games could lead to some fatigue and dead legs, but a healthy position will allow coach Joel Quenneville to rest some regulars down the stretch.
However, the Hawks do have some reinforcements on the way, starting tonight with the return of center Dave Bolland. Bolland will hit the ice for the first time since Nov. 5 after recovering from surgery for a herniated disc. Bolland's 44 points and strong defense was a key for the Hawks a season ago, but was struggling to start the season due to his injury. While he'll be eased back slowly, a healthy Bolland allows the Hawks to shift Patrick Sharp back to his natural wing, and creates even more of a logjam in a crowded forward group. Also expected back after the break is forward Adam Burish from a torn ACL and has been practicing with the team.
— Jeremy Piniak /
Chicago Wed Feb 03 2010
Two-Point Diversion is Tailgate's daily look at news and miscellanea from the bounty of Chicago related sports...
That's the Bulls Team We're Used To
After going 5-2 on recent road trip and knocking off five straight +.500 teams in doing so, the Bulls came back to earth last night in their return to the United Center. Chicago fell 90-82 against the Los Angeles Clippers, Derrick Rose scored 16 points on a painfully bad 7-20 from the field. In other Bulls/D.Rose news, the point guard will be facing off with Steve Nash (Phoenix), Deron Williams (Utah) and rookie Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee) in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge over All-Star Weekend. This is a very challenging field as Rose, Nash and Williams have all won the contest, with Nash winning in 2005, Williams winning (and setting the all time record in 25.5 seconds) in 2008. Jennings hasn't competed in anything like this yet, but he did drop 55 points back in November which is more points in a game than those other guys...
Continue reading this entry »
— Brian Lauvray /
Tue Feb 02 2010
Three Bears Named to NFL's All-Decade Team
Devin Hester, Olin Kreutz and Brian Urlacher were named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the ten years that just passed. Urlacher was named as one of the "Zeroes" best linebackers alongside such names as Ray Lewis and Derrick Brooks. It was Urlacher and Lance Briggs that were the stalwart anchors of that ferocious 2006 Super Bowl defense, you know, the D that got Rex Grossman to the Super Bowl. Kreutz was tapped as one of the standout centers of the past ten years next to such trenchmen as Jonathan Ogden and Orlando Pace. Hester joined Dante Hall and Joshua Cribbs as the imaginarily awesome but still lauded roster as a kickoff and punt returner.
As for current Bear return specialist, Johnny Knox the rookie from Abilene had a nifty 103 yards of returnage in one half of play on Sunday night in the Pro Bowl.
Bulls Are Back In Chicago
Following an impressive 5-2 road trip against some of the best teams in the Western Conference the Bulls are back at the United Center on Tuesday night. Additionally, recently named All-Star Derrick Rose will forego the Rookie-Sophomore Challenge on the Friday of All-Star Weekend to rest up for his ASG debut on that Sunday. Rose will still be defending his Skills (temptation to type "Skillz" rising) Challenge title on Saturday night.
— Brian Lauvray /
Bears Mon Feb 01 2010
Following a thorough and extended search the Chicago Bears have named Mike Martz the team's offensive coordinator. For all intents and purposes the hunt for Ron Turner's replacement had turned into something of a farce with a number of worthy candidates balking at the opportunity to turn the Jay Cutler-led offense into a flourishing machine. With Martz's hiring that opportunity should present itself early and often with Martz earning his stripes as the offensive coordinator that turned Kurt Warner into a household name during the 1999-2000 offensive assault on the record books known as "The Greatest Show on Turf." Martz went from the OC for that St. Louis Rams team into the head coach who led the squad into another Super Bowl berth in the 2001 postseason. Known as much for his abrasive clashes with upper management and coaches as for his offensive genius, watching the events unfold off the field should be half the intrigue with Martz, Cutler, Lovie, et al next season. Two potential clashes that seem ready made for a soap opera? The "claimed beef" that Martz and current Bears defensive line coach, Rod Marinneli had while working together in Detroit. The second is the elephant in the room that Lovie Smith's teams are, in his own words, "a running off the bus team." Martz is very much a pass first, pass second, pass always coach, time will tell...
The Bears also named former Viking head coach, Mike Tice to the position of offensive line coach and the hunt is still on for a new defensive coordinator.
— Brian Lauvray /
Cubs Mon Feb 01 2010
The Cubs have signed free-agent Kevin Millar to a minor league contract and have invited him to Spring Training. Millar spent 2009 with the Toronto Blue Jays and in 78 games he hit .223/.311/.363 and hit seven home runs while driving in just 29 RBI. If he makes the club he will serve as a backup to Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez.
Millar, 38, is no spring chicken by any stretch of the imagination, however he will be quality clubhouse presences if he makes the club. Millar is best known for his ability to keep things loose in the locker room.
Continue reading this entry »
— Brian Livingston /
Photo courtesy of Gil Leora
The first bout of the Windy City Rollers 2010 season kicked off to a track-blazin' start. There was plenty of pregame jitters in the air, particularly because all four teams are recovering from quite a few roster changes.
And blaze the track they did. The Hell's Belles felt the burn after the Double Crossers trounced them 171-48. Meanwhile, last year's Ivy King Cup champions, the Manic Attackers, continued their streak against The Fury with a win 101-83.
A record 3,900 spectators showed up for this opening bout, and the UIC Pavilion's upper deck was opened to accommodate everyone. Chicago roller derby has come a long way, baby.
The next bout will be Sunday, Feb. 21. Get your tickets here or at the door.
— Kara Luger /
According to numerous reports the athletic directors for Northwestern and the University of Illinois are in discussions with the Chicago Cubs regarding Wrigley Field hosting the two teams in a Thanksgiving weekend football game. The deal makes a ton of sense from a financial standpoint (tons of U of I and NW alum in Chicago would flock to this game = $$$) and lots of U of I students would likely be home in the 'burbs meaning tickets would be a hot, hot item. Wrigley Field hosted the Bears for the better part of the 20th Century (1921-1970) so the field space and logistics make sense too.
I think it's a great idea, it gives Chicagoans a unique opportunity to check out the two major college football teams in the state and it gives the Cubs and Wrigley a chance to showcase the grand, old stadium out-of-season --'cause the Cubbies ain't using it after September, am I right, folks?
— Brian Lauvray /
Cycling Fri Jan 29 2010
Registration for the March 27 Burnham Racing Supercrit opens up on Monday, February 1. Registration is here. The Supercrit will be head for the third time on the Blackhawk Farms Speedway in South Beloit, IL. It's a flat, curvy course with no real tricky corners if on the bike, though if you're tracking a four-wheeled machine corner one can apparently be real tricky.
The course offers a lot for spectators and racers -- in years past Burnham Racing and Blackhawk Farms has put on a great show with vendors, food, and a smooth and well-run registration setup. It's a Saturday race, too, which allows for the rare Spring brunch with your non-cyclist friends (yeah, cyclists disappear on weekends from March to December). And it's only about 90 minutes from the city.
Also, a reminder that registration for the Hillsboro-Roubaix 'classic' opens on Monday, too.
Better have room on the credit cards.
— Zach Thomas /
Cycling Thu Jan 28 2010
Bicycle racing is on its face a sometimes-enigmatic and confusing sport. Usually, it's not all about a racer going as hard as he or she can to the finish line, because if they try that, they'll likely be beaten to the finish line first by someone who's playing the game much smarter than them.
Cycling's compared so often to a game of chess on wheels -- a racer can assume all the roles on the board -- from pawn to queen. Sometimes your job in a race is to sacrifice yourself for a teammate, other times, everyone gives their all for you just to bring you to the finish line first. The role of the domestique is a celebrated one in the history of the sport, so too the rouleur, the climber. Cycling's full of terms like echelon, breakaway, tempo, all of which mean something important but what exactly do they mean? What does it mean to half-wheel someone? To hold your line?
And this is where things get tricky. Cycling's a sport that has a disproportionately large amount of male racers. If you're a guy and you're interested in racing, you're immediately thrown into the mix and you learn quickly that you never hit the brakes in the corners or that you never jump out of the saddle on a crowded climb because you've got 50-70 other racers next to you to remind you of your mistake. Women's racing is different -- the races are smaller, but often no less intense, but there's certainly a need for novices to the sport to learn more than just being thrown into things and told to have fun and don't crash.
The Half Acre Cycling squad is hosting a women's racing clinic on March 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m at the UIC Behavioral Sciences building (1007 West Harrison) to introduce women to competitive bicycle racing in a part classroom setting and then outside on a closed course. Experience women racers will be providing the instruction and will guide attendees on what to expect in bike racing, training techniques, equipment, etiquette, and other nuances of the sport. The cost is $15 for current USAC license holders or $20 for those without. Registration opens on Monday, February 1.
(Disclosure: I race for the Half Acre Cycling team.)
— Zach Thomas /
Bulls Thu Jan 28 2010
Derrick Rose is Taking a Basketball As His Valentine
Cue up Smashmouth's "Hey Now You're An All-Star," Derrick Rose; 'Cuz, hey, now you're an all-star, D.Rose. Rose along with Rajon Rondo (Boston), Joe Johnson (Atlanta) were among those selected by the NBA's coaches to be the reserves for next month's All-Star Game in Dallas. This is Rose's first selection to the All-Star Game as a starter or reserve. The second-year point guard (and Chicago native son) is currently leading Eastern Conference points in scoring and is third in FG%. Rose, who was already headed to Dallas for the Rookie-Sophomore Challenge and Skills Challenge, suddenly has a very busy schedule the weekend of February 14th. Hope his Valentine is understanding...
Most promising about this news? The naming of Rose's Boston Celtic counterpart, Rajon Rondo to the reserve list as well. Rondo and Rose memorably dueled against each other in last spring's insta-classic Round One Playoff series, with Rondo and the Celtics ultimately coming out on top after seven games. The two guards have truly begun to flourish with Rondo leading the NBA in steals and leading the East in FG% and assists. To watch these two evolve and continue to battle one another is a boon for the NBA fanatic and casual sports viewer alike. Congrats to Derrick.
Bulls Have Won FOUR!!! Road Games In A Row
After defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder last night, the Bulls have won (hold onto your hats, folks) four road games in a row. To put that feat in perspective, prior to their recent road success Chicago had won four road games all season. So four road wins in a row? Against Phoenix, Houston, San Antonio and Oklahoma City? Nobody could've seen this coming. More this "winning" team over the weekend.
— Brian Lauvray /
Bulls Wed Jan 27 2010
Chicagocentric sports news that isn't necessarily late-breaking, more like irreverent or just as good the next day, like Thai leftovers...
Rose and Gibson Headed to Dallas
Second year point guard, Derrick Rose and rookie forward, Taj Gibson will be representing the Bulls in Dallas at the 2010 All-Star Weekend next month. They will be going head-to-head in the Rookie/Sophomore Challenge on Friday night as Rose quarterbacks the Sophomores against Gibson and the rest of his rookie running mates. Rose is joined by such standouts as Brook Lopez (New Jersey, center), Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City, guard) and Kevin Love (Minnesota, forward); while Gibson will be playing alongside first year standouts such as Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee, guard), Tyreke Evans (Sacramento, guard) and DeJuan Blair (San Antonio, forward/center).
Saturday night of ASW (that's All-Star Weekend, kids) Rose will be defending his 2009 All-Star Skill Challenge Title. The field is yet to be named.
Bears Knox Selected as Pro Bowler
Johnny Knox contributed immediately as a player for the Bears in his rookie season, he made Jay Cutler's first year in Chicago slighty more bearable (sorry) with his penchant for getting open and catching the ball, but Knox a Pro Bowler? Knox will be filling in for Percy Harvin this coming Sunday as a replacement kickoff specialist for the NFC Pro Bowl team which, well, good for Knox. Still the Pro Bowl has always been the most superfluous of all-star games and a replacement kickoff specialist? Knox should make it as wideout (hopefully with the Bears) in a few more seasons.
— Brian Lauvray /
Cubs Tue Jan 26 2010
The Cubs have completed their second off season objective today. They have signed former Pittsburgh Pirate and New York Yankee outfielder Xavier Nady to one-year contract. Nady will backup all three outfield positions.
This will end any chance of Reed Johnson being resigned. He will be most remembered for his spectacular diving catch against the Nationals in 2008. Nady played in only seven games last season with the Yankees before going on the disabled list. His season would end after he would under go the second Tommy John surgery of his career.
— Brian Livingston /
