Despite the weather's attemps to smother Chicago in oppressive humidity lately, the Blackhawks have been in the news this week.
First, the long-rumored Winter Classic outdoor game at Wrigley Field was finally, officially, announced Wednesday. The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup champion Red Wings will face off at noon on New Year's Day.
The next day, the remaining 81 games on the Hawks schedule were revealed. The team kicks off the season in Madison Square Garden October 10 against the Rangers and in Washington the next night before the United Center home opener October 13 against Nashville.
Other notable home games on the schedule include the following:
San Jose - November 16.
New Hawks defenseman Brian Campbell's former team (for half a season) and Jeremy Roenick bring the Sharks to Chicago.
Philadelphia - December 26.
The return of the resurgent Flyers for the first time in three seasons.
New York Rangers - January 16.
An Original Six matchup with the Blueshirts.
Pittsburgh - February 27.
Superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin lead the Penguins into town.
Detroit - April 12.
After traveling to Detroit April 11, the teams battle in the second half of a home-and-home to finish the regular season.
Sun-Times writer Carol Slezak has an in-depth profile of team chairman Rocky Wirtz that is a great piece for anyone who wants to learn more abuot the team's dramatic turnaround in the past year. Change you really can believe in!
If you see a multitude of sweater-wearers downtown this weekend, they are not crazy, despite the hot and humid forecast. They're most likely making their way to the Hilton for the first Blackhawks convention, which opens this evening and runs through Sunday. Team president John McDonough lifted a page from his tenure with the Cubs to create the offseason festivities for fans to unite and meet past and present players. Passes sold out in two weeks last spring, and for fans from across the country, the big weekend has finally arrived. So while it's not the best sweater weather, it's for a good reason.
- Jeremy Piniak |
If he didn't occasionaly move, you'd probably forget he was in the lockerroom. To say Harold Baines was quiet and soft-spoken is like saying Cecil Fielder was a little overweight. Clubhouse interviews with Baines might have consisted of 30 words, tops. Reporters and sportscasters were forced to avoid questions that could result in one-word answers at all costs, because that's what Baines would give you.
But Harold didn't really have to say anything. Like most baseball players worth their salt, he let his bat do the talking. His final career numbers: 2,866 hits, 384 homers, a .289 batting average, 1,628 RBIs (981 with the White Sox, the rest with the Baltimore Orioles), 384 homers (221 with the Sox), a six-time All-Star
From 1980-1989, Baines patrolled the outfield (mainly right) and was seranade with a soon-to-be signature call of "Har-old, Har-old", a few years before a guy with a similar first name and the last name of Washington made it big in this town. And you have to marvel a bit at the fact that Baines share a locker room for much of that time with the 190-degree personality of Ozzie Guillen.
On Sunday, the White Sox will unveil a statue honoring Baines in the center field concourse, taking its place alongside similar statues of Charles Comiskey, Minnie Minoso, Luis Aparicio, Nellie Fox, Carlton Fisk and Billy Pierce.
At least we think it will be a statue of Baines. Harold, help us out; say a few words.
- Ken Green |
News Thu Jul 17 2008
- The Windy City Rollers threw the smack down in their 138-19 trampling of the Tuscon Saddle Tramps in roller derby action.
- The Blackhawks' Nikolai Khabibulin to the Ottawa Senators? Reports out of Canada say it's in the works.
- Never let them see you sweat: Barack Obama is apparently a gym rat.
- Women's Health Magazine is asking local female fitness buffs: "Are You Game?" (pdf)
- The Chicago Bandits have a chance to move into first place in the NPF when they continued their four-game series against the league-leading Philadelphia Force tonight. The Bandits beat the Force 3-1 in the series opener on Wednesday.
- The 2008 Aberdeen Street Dodgeball Ninjas will host their summer tournament this Saturday at Sheridan Park. If nothing else, it should provide some interesting photos.
- The Chicago Cycling Club hosts a "Baseball Nostalgia Tour", which includes stops at 10 present and former ballparks and lunch at the Billy Goat Tavern.
- And speaking of baseball, an all-Cubs channel? I thought we already had that...and referred to it as the local news (said the White Sox fan with the inferiority complex).
- Ken Green |
Soccer Wed Jul 16 2008
If watching just soccer games at Toyota Park or on one of the three soccer channels on cable isn't enough anymore, check out Windy City Wanderers FC. They have several outdoor leagues to choose from, as well as hosting numerous pickup games. They also host various social functions and bus trips to Fire games leaving from Fado and Small Bar. Additionally, their affiliation with the Illinois State Soccer Association means higher quality refereeing and a more organized approach to games than a lot of the multi-sport recreational leagues in the city.
- Steve Gillies |
So now it REALLY begins.
Not to dismiss the first half of the 2008 baseball season, but for me, my battle cry has always been, “Talk to me AFTER the All-Star break.”
Countless frantic fans on both sides of town, giddy with early-season promise have, through the years, approached me with manic glee in their eyes, fully convinced that this was The Year due to the fact that either the Cubs or White Sox are in first place at the break, a sign that supersedes anything a billy goat or Shoeless Joe could conjure up.
I’ve seen it so many times I’ve lost count. Take this season, for instance, which finds the White Sox AND the Cubs in first place in their respective divisions. Or rather take 1977, the year to which this year has most often been compared. For it was 1977 which marked the last time both teams were in first place at the same time.
Continue reading this entry»
- Ken Green |
Fire Tue Jul 15 2008
MLS announced their full All-Star squad today. We already knew Cuahtemoc Blanco would make the team, as he was announced as part of last week's not-neccessarily starting "All-Star First XI." Surprisingly, no other Fire players were picked to fill out the squad. Goalkeeper Jon Busch, with the lowest goals-against average in the league, and Gonzalo Segares, whose stellar play has been such a huge part of the Fire giving up the fewest goals in the league, probably have the biggest gripes. But really, neither of them will be missing out on much. The All-Stars will be taking on London's West Ham United, a solid English Premiere League team, but nowhere near as glamorous a side as the Chelsea team that played in Toyota Park in 2006. Busch and Segares are better off having a bit of a rest. Besides, they'll be getting a game in against a quality English team when they take on Everton next week.
- Steve Gillies |
Cycling Tue Jul 15 2008
Mark your calendars, as the annual touring Bicycle Film Festival is coming through Chicago, from August 6th to the 10th. The annual party is a celebration of all aspect of cycling, from commuters making the lonely trek through the morning fog on their way to work, to racers training for hours in the sometimes-futile pursuit of glory
Continue reading this entry»
- Zach Thomas |
Force Mon Jul 14 2008
They're not making it easy on their fans, but the scrappy Chicago Force are title-bound.
Posting another narrow, nail-biting victory, the Force advanced to the Independent Women's Football League Championship game with a slim 8-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Passion over the weekend at North Park University to win the Eastern Conference Championship. The victory propels the Force to their first IWFL title game, where they'll face the Dallas Diamonds on Saturday, July 26. You can read about the game here.
The win kept the Force's perfect record intact as they improved to 10-0 on the season. But Dallas may present them with their toughest challenge yet. The Diamonds defeated the Seattle Majestics by a whopping 38-6 to gain a berth in the title game.
One big advantage for the Force is the location of the championship game: North Park University's Holmgren Athletic Complex, the Force's home field.
- Ken Green |
Bears Fri Jul 11 2008
For anyone still interested, single game tickets for the Bears 2008 season go on sale tomorrow at noon. That’s noon as in “high noon”.
While no one doubts that the Bears will sell out every ticket available for the 10 preseason and regular season games (through Ticketmaster phone and internet sales), this season might mark a crucial showdown between fans anxious for some signs of improvement and a Bears administration that has so far shown little of that.
After all, the team has chosen to raise ticket prices ($68 to $350 per game) despite a lifeless 7-9 record last season (good for last place in the NFC Central), including losing three of their last five. It’s a fact that might make a few interested fans think twice about shelling out top dollar for a team with more question marks than Frank Gorshin's Riddler’s outfit.
Continue reading this entry»
- Ken Green |
Cycling Thu Jul 10 2008
It's hard being a mountain biker in the city. If you're unwilling to risk the wrath of the Chicago Park District by training on the sly in the parks, you've got to either train on the road or make the drive to Palos Forest Preserve in Willow Springs in the southwestern side of Chicagoland in order to get in quality time in the dirt. Racing's another matter entirely – most races are a considerable drive away, with our neighbor to the north, Wisconsin, home to regional competitions.
Continue reading this entry»
- Zach Thomas |
News Thu Jul 10 2008
- The Chicago Force take another step toward the Independent Women’s Football League title when they take on the Pittsburgh Passion in a playoff contest this Saturday, 3 p.m. The Force are also getting national exposure thanks to a segement on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric tonight at 5:30 p.m. A related Force segment may also run on The CBS Early Show this Friday morning.
- Pro beach volleyball hits North Avenue Beach this weekend. See it on television or in person.
- The Chicago Bandits kick off a four-game series against the Washington Glory at Judson University in Elgin.
- Got the need for speed? NASCAR comes to the Chicagoland Motor Speedway this Friday and Saturday. The city already has a fan in racer Kurt Busch.
- Ultimate fighting in Chicago that DOESN’T involve the City Council? It could happen.
- The Windy City Rollers hit the hardwood against the Tuscon Saddle Tramps in Cicero on Saturday
- Yet another Chicago Olympic rally/celebration has been slated, this time for Monday at Millennium Park.
- Peyton. Butkus. Dent. … and now cornhole? The new drinking man’s favorite (ahem) sport has its second tournament at Soldier Field.
- Ken Green |
Cubs Thu Jul 10 2008
Well you could spend the rest of the day reading about what Rich Harden might or might not do for the Cubs. All the locals have write-ups; here are Mariotti, Sullivan and Morrisey's. ESPN's Jayson Stark weighed in as well. No one, however, is better prepared to deal with Harden's injury history and possible upside than Cubs fans who labored through the Prior/Wood years. Who is better at being encouraging, hopeful and stoic while pretending not to hear the guy two rows back detailing what we're bound to get in return?
In any case it's been a pretty fun summer so far. With the Cubbies in the hunt, all sorts of interesting articles are popping up, and not just about the team, but things that really only die hard fans could care about. My favorites so far are the uniform breakdown, the "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" article and guest singer contest. Ah one, ah two, ah three...!
- Vince Jose Cancasci |
Fire Thu Jul 10 2008
Within a week of an alleged fistfight with teammate Wilman Conde, Cuahtemoc Blanco was at it again. This time, at least, he remembered to hit someone on the opposing team as Blanco was red carded during the Chicago Fire’s US Open Cup overtime loss against DC United for hitting Clyde Simms in the chest. I saw the footage on YouTube and the red card was completely justified. Additionally, there are reports of Blanco head-butting a DC United official.
Continue reading this entry»
- Steve Gillies |
Boxing Wed Jul 09 2008
Chicago will once again return to the national boxing spotlight when Tomasz "The Polish Warrior" Adamek takes the ring against Gary Gomez this Friday at the Aragon Ballroom, in a 10-round bout slated to be televised on ESPN2.
Adamek, the No. 1 IBF mandatory cruiserweight contender and a former light heavyweight champion, will be joined on the card by middleweight Andrzej "The Polish Prince" Fonfara taking on Derrick "Superman" Findley in the co-main event. Undefeated super middleweight Pior Wilczewski and undefeated heavyweight Mariusz Wach are also on the card, which kicks off at 7:15 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Adamek has fought in Chicago twice before, both times facing Australian Paul Briggs. In their 2005 bout, Adamek claimed the vacant WBC light heavyweight title at the United Center.
- Ken Green |
The Chicago Gems Women's Baseball Club had decidely mixed results in the recent Can-Am tournament in South Bend, Indiana, with one of two competing teams reaching the championship game.
Gems I compiled a 3-1 record in the tourney and won the right to face the Aussie Hearts (who they defeated earlier in a come-from-behind victory) in the title game. But the suffered a narrow 2-0 loss to the Hearts in the finale to finish the international competition in second place.
The Gems II squad had it a bit rougher, losing all four of their games but managing to become more competative as the tourney went on. Photo highlights of the tournament can be found here. In addition to the U.S., the field featured teams from Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, Guatemala and Russia.
All members of the Gems teams return to Chicago Women's Baseball League action this Saturday as the Comets meet the Riveters at 9 a.m. while the Turtle Rocks take on the Skyline at noon. All games are played in Bedford Park.
- Ken Green |
