If you've been reading Tailgate's own Zach Thomas, you know that bike racing is booming in the Chicago area. The Chicago Tribune plays catch-up.
A South Side group is getting kids as young as eight into the challenging sport of triathlons...
...while elsewhere on the South Side, another group is bringing the sport of rowing to a new, younger crowd.
The Urbanathalon is coming! Yes, it sounds like some B-movie monster, but actually it's a moderately strenuous 10-mile race, obstacle course thingy. Not too late to enter
Bring the pain: The UFC is coming to the Allstate Arena October 25. Top bout on the card is Anderson "The Spider" Silva vs. Patrick "The Predator" Cote. Anyone in UFC nicknamed "The Fluffy Bunny"?
Start saving your betting bucks now. The Arlington Million is this Saturday.
Twenty-five years ago, they installed lights in Wrigley Field. Purists howled. The world survived.
While we here at Tailgate have been know to get a bit passionate about sports, be it baseball, football, soccer, cycling, etc., things like this serve to remind us it's all just a game.
The Cubs' Peoria farm team, the Chiefs, got in a brawl with the Dayton Dragons Thursday evening — in the first inning! Both managers and 15 players were ejected from the game, and a spectator was taken to the hospital after getting hit by a baseball thrown at the Dragons' dugout by pitcher Julio Castillo (as Chicagoist said, guess we know why Castillo's still in the minors.) It was Castillo who instigated the fight, in fact, by retaliating for a hit batter by hitting not one but two batters, and threatening a third. That brought Dragons manager Donnie Scott down to talk with the umps, Chiefs manager Carmelo Martinez down to defend — and the rest is history. Here's some video:
The ejections were reversed by the league commissioner to avoid forcing the teams to use their bullpens to fill in the outfield.
You'll be able to catch the Chiefs in action -- well, playing baseball, at least -- next Tuesday when they play the Kane County Cougars at Wrigley. Tickets are still available.
In case you’ve forgotten, the Chicago Force are going for the IWFL title this Saturday at North Park University’s Holmgren Athletic Complex. Cheer them on.
Cook County Commissioner Mike Quinn got a lot of Detroit Red Wings fans ticked off when he managed to skewer the team in his resolution celebrating the outdoor game against the Blackhawks at Wrigley Field...
...But here’s guessing he’ll have an easier time getting tickets to the game than you do.
A half-game lead (as of Thursday afternoon)? Are the Cubs done for? One writer seems to think so (though he admits he’s a Sox fan but insists that has nothing to do with it… right.)...
...But never fear Cubs fans, there are enough pro-Cubby blogs to ease the pain. In fact, there’s a whole army.
The need for (man-powered) speed: The Chicago Criterium is this weekend.
On the one hand, you kinda want everyone to leave the poor guy alone. I mean, it was five years ago. And he wasn't the only guy reaching for that infamous foul ball, just the only one who actually touched it. And it's clear that the subsequent on-field incidents (a wild pitch, an error and flatout lousy pitching) had a lot more to do with the Cubs loss in the 2003 NL playoffs.
But $25,000 for one autograph? Steve Bartman, come on down.
That's what one sports collectible show is offering Bartman to sign one autograph, reportedly the most ever offered for a single signature, at their upcoming Rosemont memorabilia convention on July 31. Should he break his voluntary semi-seclusion, Bartman will be given a briefcase containing $25,000 (upon proof of identity) and the signed photograph will be auctioned to the highest bidder. The proceeds will be donated to a local charity.
You assume he's somewhere at least thinking about this. I mean, unless he enters the convention wearing a Cubs cap, Walkman and blue team sweatshirt, he should be able to walk into the place fairly safely. Heck, grow a beard and shave it off right there to assure up-to-the-minute anonymity.
We're talking 25 G's. You can buy a lot of Walkmen with that kind of money.
Jerome Holtzman, the Hall of Fame baseball writer who is credited with created the "save" statistic, passed away over the weekend. Holtzman spent more than 40 years writing about the Cubs and White Sox, which some might say qualifies him for sainthood. In 1999, he was named baseball's official historial by Bud Selig. More on Holtzman here.
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).
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.
Championship football in Chicago? In June? Yup, when the Chicago Force take on the Detroit Demolition in an Independent Women’s Football League playoff game this Saturday, 3 p.m., at North Park University’s Holmgren Athletic Complex, 3225 W. Foster Ave. Incidentially, two members of the Force also compete in the Chicago Gems Women’s Baseball League…
…who are also involved in a playoff of sorts of its own, as they compete in the Can-Am Spirit of Sportsmanship Tournament in South Bend, Indiana, this Friday-Sunday. In addition to the Gems, women’s baseball teams from Canada and Australia, as well as elsewhere in the U.S., will compete. Meanwhile, action in the CWBL’s own league is on hold and will resume in Bedford Park, Ill. on July 12.
And speaking of Canada, the Chicago Bandits women’s fastpitch softball team (5-7) fell to the Great White North, posting a 1-3 record in their recent four-game series. The Bandits will try to do better against a southern foe, the Venezuelan National Team, in a similar four-game set beginning today (Thurday) at Bandits Stadium at Judson University in Elgin. Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano is slated to throw out the first pitch in today’s matchup and all games begin at 7:05 p.m.
Oil up those skates. The Windy City Rollers will hold tryouts this Saturday and Sunday, July 13. You need only attend one tryout. For exact time and location, contact the WCR. Also, the league will host their next All-Star Match-up on July 12 at The Stadium, 1909 S. Laramie in Cicero. This time, they take on the Tuscon Saddle Tramps.
Finally, North Avenue Beach Sports will host a one-day Dodgeball Tournament on July 12 at (where else?) North Avenue Beach. Go out and pound someone in the face with a.. I mean, go out and enjoy some fun, healthy competition. Contact NABS for details.
Depending on whom you ask, this past week has either been dark days or breath of fresh air for Chicago radio.
Whether you appreciated his “everyman” approach to broadcasting or loathed him as a boorish oaf who had been given a bigger platform than he deserved, Mike North’s departure from morning sports radio was something of which to take note.
North, the morning man at WSCR-AM, reportedly called it quits this past Friday after he and the station couldn’t reach an agreement on a new contract. The station wanted to cut his $1.5 million contact in half, citing his declining rating numbers (According to the Tribune, North's ratings declined to 2.2 compared with 5.3 for his morning competitors, ESPN-1000's "Mike and Mike in the Morning". Way too many Mikes for me).
North, just as anyone else probably would who is used to the idea of pulling down a million dollar salary, rejected the move and has been off the air since, replaced by the journalistically-incestuous hosting duo of Sun-Times sports writers Mike Mulligan and Brian Hanley (who also continue their afternoon show) until a permanent replacement can be named.
In almost any other situation, the “rags to riches” story of Mike North would be held up as an example for little sports reporters everywhere. His rise from owner of a hot dog stand to millionaire radio host was perfect for Chicago’s blue-collar work ethic and his ability to last 16 ½ years in the cut-throat, what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business of radio is something of a modern miracle.
A Major League Baseball story on the Cubs' days as a WEST Side ballclub includes some interesting bits of information, including the time in 1908 when a woman gave birth in the bleachers. Contrast that with today when...nah, too easy.
Belmont Harbor will be the launching site of a major international boating event when 84 boats from around the world compete in the 2008 Etchells World Championships. The weeklong event kicks off this Friday.
Another bout has been added to the boxing card at the Aragon Ballroom this Friday, which we told you about yesterday.
After a surprising and promising 2008 season for the Blackhawks, this weekend's NHL draft will be as important for the Hawks as the NBA draft will be for the Bulls. A hockey prospects resource site gives the lowdown.
He may not be in the Hall of Fame, but South Carolina residents are not forgetting their native son, White Sox legend Shoeless Joe Jackson and are building a museum in his honor. The organizers are hoping that the tribute helps the HOF committee forget about Jackson's role (or non-role) in the whole Black Sox scandal.
Seems like we here at Tailgate aren't the only ones to gain a little peverse interest in the inter-office sniping at the Sun-Times' sports department between columnist Jay Mariotti and, well, everyone else there. The Tribune's sports media writer Teddy Greenstein writes about the incestious squabbling and reports on the latest rift between Mariotti and fellow columnist Rick Telender in their ongoing fued. Considering the body blows Mariotti and the Sun-Times in general have given the Tribune over the years (over the potential name change of the Tribune-owned Wrigley Field, for instance), this must have been an easy column to write.
Admittedly, it's been a pretty strange past few days in Chicago sports. The Bulls' bait-and-switch on Doug Collins. Ozzie Guillen's most recent rant that included shots at Kenny Williams and batting coach Greg Walker (and if I hear the phrase "thrown under the bus" regarding this incident one more time...). The White Sox near-dismantling of the Minnesota Twins. The Cubs' Carlos Zambrano going ballistic in the dugout on national television on Saturday. Cedric Benson's apparent quest to drunk himself off the Bears roster. Big Brown finishing last in the Belmont Stakes (OK, that last story isn't a Chicago one, but I still can't get over it.)
So what has all that sports weirdness earned us? The title of Weirdest Sports Town by ESPN.
OK, before you start firing off those angry emails, know that the article was written by a current Chicago area resident who has strong ties to the city. So cut him some slack...
As a stress-reliever, it's a great way to let it all out. Taking aim and firing away at someone - harmlessly, of course. Maybe that's why paintball has grown over the years, giving weekend warriors a break from sitting behind a desk.
It's also become a professional event, as you can witness for yourself with the Chicago area plays host to the 2008 Chicago Open, June 25-29 at the Bolingbrook Recreation and Aquatic Center. The sponsors, Paintball Sports Promotions, has released the layout of the playing field. They expect more than 200 teams from around the world. In addition, the event will host one of the largest paintball tradeshows of the year.
For more information about the event or to register today please visit psevents.com.
Even though we have two long-standing, nationally-recognized newspapers in Chicago (a rarity these days),the presence of a good ol’ fashioned newspaper war is virtually non existent. Despite the competitive nature of the local mainstream press, there hasn’t really been the makings of a good newspaper war in this town since… I dunno, the local papers battled for the best Al Capone headline?
Oh, there have been skirmishes, such as in 1984 when Rupert Murdoch bought the Sun-Times, causing legendary columnist Mike Royko to flee to the Tribune and lob verbal hand grenades on an almost-daily basis. And every now and then the Sun-Times tries to tweak the Trib on new owner Sam Zell’s threats to change the name of Wrigley Field, but the Tribune response is basically to ignore the taunts. Heck, the Trib even scored points by having one of their own win the Sun-Times’ anti-Sam Zell song contest.
But other than the recent Red Eye vs. (now defunct) Red Streak battle, it’s been pretty quiet. I mean, the battle for control of the self-absorbed hipster market isn’t that compelling.
To some it may seem like a great example of recycling, but there's something unseemly about being offered a leftover stadium to use should Chicago win its bid for the 2016 Olympics. But there stands London offering to give the city the bulk of the stadium they plan on using for their own 2012 Olympics. The plan calls for London to give at least 55,000 seats from the eventual 80,000-seat stadium to Chicago to be used in Washington Park.
It sounds like something Mayor Daley and the rest of the Chicago Olympic committee would definitely be intersted in, given that their ever-inflating estimates for the games are a continual source of scrutiny. Anything they can use to show that the games won't cause the city any further financial hardship will be held aloft for all to see like the baby Kunta Kinte in Roots. But a second-hand stadium that's supposed to hold 55,000 people transported across the ocean? Is that even safe? And would the haughty International Olympic Committee look down their collective noses at this hand-me-down gesture?
Anybody want to buy a slightly used Olympic flame?
Pals since the old "Mars Blackman/Air Jordan" days, director Spike Lee and The-Greatest-Chicago-Bull-Ever Michael Jordan have teamed up for a documentary on Jordan, aka The Man Who Put Nike On The Map. The documentary, set to debut at Cannes next year, will reportedly feature exclusive footage from Jordan's later playing career with the (yawn) Washington Wizards. Not to question Spike's film rebel nature, but since the flick is being financed by the NBA, should we expect a PR job free of the stickier issues such as his gambling forays, among other things?
Danica Patrickwon the Japan 300 over the weekend, marking her first major win and the first win by a female driver in IndyCar history. Family and friends in downstate Roscoe, IL were ecstatic after her win. Hopefully this puts to rest the belief by some that women can't and shouldn't compete with men in sports — although you know there are some guys out there who are fuming right now that their favorite racer got beat by a hottie.
To some, it’s probably akin to spray-painting your name on The Vatican. That’s the high regard that some baseball purists, and even casual fans, have regarding Wrigley Field. Words like “shrine” and “temple” are often bandied about when talk about Wrigley in the context of ballpark esthetics comes up. Even when Cubs teams throughout the years stank up the joint something fierce, there was always those appealing bricks and ivy to make stench palatable. Even quite a few White Sox fans have had to admit that in the era of whiz-bang, high-tech, Corporate-Name-Of-The-Month ballparks, Wrigley is a gem. Well, except for Ozzie.
So it’s not without a little bit of consternation that Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin questions the latest addition to the ballpark: the letters “CBOE” painted on in bright yellow letters on a new section of ground-level seats that the Chicago Board Options Exchange is sponsoring this year.
The lettering, located on the wall between the Cubs’ dugout and the left field bullpen, raises the question of whether this bit of advertising violates City of Chicago landmark ordinance.
In a historic announcement this afternoon, the Blackhawks made official plans to broadcast their entire 82-game schedule, as well as playoff games, including all home games from the United Center.
And no, despite the date, this is not an April Fool's joke. Believe it, people. The Blackhawks are on TV, every game!
Combining with the team's current agreement with Comcast Sportsnet, the Hawks announced a three-year deal with WGN Television that will see the station broadcast up to 20 games per year in HD, with Comcast televising the remaining contests.
The agreement reestablishes a link between 'GN and the franchise from the '60s and '70s, when the station was the home of the Blackhawks. In fact, WGN broadcast the clinching game of the Hawks' last Stanley Cup, way back in 1961.
It's Christmas on April Fool's day for Blackhawks fans.
In other news, this year's squad is still harboring playoff aspirations, sitting four points out of the final spot with three games remaining, including tomorrow's home game against the rival Red Wings. A loss tomorrow will end the team's hopes; in fact, it can't afford to lose any of its games. But meaningful hockey in April is a rare sight, and a successful finish will help the young team carry over into next year's TV-laden season.
We're looking for a few good writers to help make Tailgate the best place on the web to talk about Chicago sports -- all of them, in once place. Might that be you?
The ideal candidate(s) would have a passion for Chicago sports big and small, from the majors right down to the corner bar's billiards league and everything in between. You don't have to have encyclopedic knowledge of the inner workings of your favorite team, but it would help. We're in particular need of people to cover the Bulls, White Sox and Sky, but any sport is welcome, as are generalists. UPDATE: Sox covered! And how about Cubs?
Writers will be expected to post at least twice a week -- that shouldn't be too hard for a sports nut, right? Although it's not a paid position, we'll do our best to get you a press pass, and you'll have access to all sorts of events -- curling matches, anyone? Throw your hat in the ring by emailing ah@gapersblock.com.
