Many people have owned and operated both the Cubs and White Sox but one family has had some of the biggest influences on both these teams — the Veecks. It was the Veecks who,75 years back, gave Wrigley Field the alterations that made the iconic ball park what it is today. In 1937, the ivy, scoreboard and bleachers were installed by father-and-son duo Bill Veeck Sr. and Bill Veeck Jr. The elder was the Cubs president and the younger was the team's general manager, and the renovations were part of a play to make the stadium fan friendly; it sure worked. Veeck Sr.
Remembering the baseball family that shaped Chicago
Sep. 19, 2012Many people have owned and operated both the Cubs and White Sox but one family has had some of the biggest influences on both these teams — the Veecks. It was the Veecks who,75 years back, gave Wrigley Field the alterations that made the iconic ball park what it is today. In 1937, the ivy, scoreboard and bleachers were installed by father-and-son duo Bill Veeck Sr. and Bill Veeck Jr. The elder was the Cubs president and the younger was the team's general manager, and the renovations were part of a play to make the stadium fan friendly; it sure worked. Veeck Sr.Lessons learned from sports writing giants
Sep. 17, 2012A few decades ago when a young reporter entered into the world of sports, it wasn't the players or the coaches that were the most intimidating: it was the veteran sports writers. This is meant not as a knock; rather, I mean it with total respect. My own memories of those days returned after another great sports writer passed away last week: 85-year-old Joe Mooshil. He wrote for the Associated Press for over 40 years and covered every sport in town.
Joe was one of several respected, crusty, opinionated characters who surrounded me when my career in sports began. These men taught me lessons I will never forget and that I use more times than not. They were fearless, honest and had integrity. Sadly, most are gone, but if you watched Sportswriters on TV, which was on many years ago, you got a glimpse of what covering sports was all about back then.
Bears suffered tough loss in Green Bay
Sep. 14, 2012After a few days glowing after a win, now the Bears have days to sulk over after a 23-10 loss to their divisional rivals the Green Bay Packers.
It was a miserable night for quarterback Jay Cutler; he was battered and frustrated by the play of his offensive line and the Packer defense.
He was sacked seven times; Clay Matthews was involved with four of them. After one of the early sacks from Matthews late in the second quarter, the Bears QB was caught on camera yelling at his left tackle J’Marcus Webb.
Cutler had four interceptions – two to Packers defensive back Tramon Williams. He caught as many passes from Cutler as Bear wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
In fact, Marshall didn’t have any in the first half and a dropped a reception in the endzone. To add insult to injury, Matt Forte was lost right after the halftime with an ankle injury, he did not return. Back-up running back Michael Bush had some nice runs, but once the game got out of hand, the running game was not an option.
The Bears shot themselves in the foot a number of times.
Bears prepare for Green Bay clash
Sep. 12, 2012On Monday the Chicago Bears watched video of their Sunday win against the Colts, got treatment and went home with iPads loaded with the Green Bay game plan. Tuesday marks the only full day of practice and today it’s a walk-through and travel to Wisconsin. There isn't much time for the Bears to heal their bodies, digest a game plan or savor their first victory: The NFL schedule-makers wanted a huge match-up for a prime time game on Thursday and the Bears-Packers matchup will fill the bill.
There is a lot at stake in this match-up — for both teams. The Bears would love to put the Packers in a 0-2 hole to begin the season, and to do it at Lambeau Field would be ideal for the Bears. Last season, Green Bay was a perfect 8 and 0 at home, but they opened this year with a home loss; handing them another would be sweet. For the Packers, they want to maintain their elite status and their dominance over the Bears, in a year where both teams are expected to excel.
Bears unveil their high-powered offense
Sep. 10, 2012Now we have an idea of what this Bears offense can do, after quarterback Jay Cutler and his teammates beat the Indianapolis Colts 41-24 on Sunday.
There is no doubt Bears fans went home happy — even though they may have squirmed in their seats early in the game. Cutler’s interception minutes into the first quarter resulted in a Colts touchdown, but then the Bears managed to right the ship. Amassing 428 total offensive yards, offensive coordinator Mike Tice mixed the pass with the run. The Cutler-to-Brandon Marshall connection had the Bears crowd on its feet with nine catches for 119 yards and a touchdown. When the Bears got near the goal line, twice it was new running back Michael Bush getting the call to punch it in. Matt Forte had 120 all-purpose yards, passing Gale Sayers for fourth place on the Bears all-time list with 6,338 yards for his career. Forte ran for 80 yards and a TD and his three receptions gained 40 yards. It was also a stellar day for the rookie Alshon Jeffery; he showed he complements Marshall, as he caught a 42-yard pass from Cutler for his first NFL score.
A former Cubs shortstop — and his son — returns home
Sep. 10, 2012He hasn’t played for the Cubs since 1997, but Shawon Dunston was, and still, is a fan favorite. He had a cannon for an arm; it was sometimes erratic, but he hustled on every play. Now he is a special instructor for the San Francisco Giants but he still loves coming to Wrigley Field, a place that was very special to him.
I caught up with Dunston on a recent trip to Chicago. As a 22-year-old, this shortstop phenom was brought up to play for the Cubs in 1985; he struggled and was sent down to the minors. That experience humbled him and he returned after six weeks more mentally ready. Dunston relied on the team veterans like Rick Sutcliffe, Jody Davis and Andre Dawson to guide him. He needed the skills of his first baseman, Leon Durham, and Mark Grace him to save defensively.
He loved playing for the fans since it was a full house no matter where they were in the standings. If there is one thing Shawon Dunston is distinctly remembered for, it was something a fan did for him in 1989. He was originally perplexed by it, but learned to embrace it — the “Shawon-O-Meter.”
Bears kick off the season Sunday amid high expectations
Sep. 7, 2012The weeks leading up to this Bears season opener almost feel like the weeks before Christmas, complete with a present under the tree: It sure looks pretty, but what's inside? You can't wait to find out.
The answer that begins Sunday with the Indianapolis Colts at Soldier Field, of course, is how will the Bears do this year? It seems that I, as a reporter, am supposed to know what their record will be when they finish the season at the end of December — and hopefully play into next year. I must be carrying a crystal ball, I guess. . . .
Expectations have been high, mostly because it felt like the 2011 season ended when quarterback Jay Cutler injured his thumb just as the team was surging with a 7 and 3 record. When Cutler went down the team was averaging 28 points a game. This team may be better than that — and it may have to be.
One of the casualties last season was General Manager Jerry Angelo; now the club has Phil Emery calling the shots, but he has a head coach in the final year of his deal. That means the season has plenty at stake for Lovie Smith: Is it playoffs or bust?
Sports seasons change as summer turns to fall
Sep. 5, 2012The weather has started to change a bit and kids are back at school. But September has various meanings to sports fans. It is the winding down of the baseball season, the beginning of the football season, with thoughts of hockey nearing. Some of it feels good. . . some of it, not so much.
Baseball: One team plays out the season, the other battles to play in October
Despite a rough period on the road, the White Sox will continue to battle in the American League Central with Detroit. It's a reality a lot of people — fans and media alike — didn’t think possible last spring. Even with the dismal road trip recently, this has been a team that has bounced back all season. It has been an interesting ride so far; besides the known stories of the comeback players (Adam Dunn, Alex Rios and Jake Peavy).