Chicago & Illini Sports

Kudos to sportswriter Steve Rosenbloom for his interesting notes in the Chicago Tribune on Chicago-born and former Yankee baseball player Bill "Moose" Skowron. The husky and rugged "Moose" also played for the White Sox, from 1964 to 1967. Prior to that period, when he was trying to find a position with the Yankees, he spent some time on the dance floor.

As he tells it to Rosenbloom: "I was a shortstop.They moved me to third base. They moved me to the outfield. I almost got killed. I couldn't catch a fly ball. (Yankee manager) Casey Stengel said, 'The only way you can play is to play first base, and the only way you can learn is by going to dancing school.'

"l went to Arthur Murray Dance Studios in St. Petersburg, Fla., to learn how to shift my legs, because I was no gazelle around first base. I was on the Arthur Murray dance show on TV. That's when (Yankee pitcher) Whitey Ford dropped the girl. We never went back after that."

The press apparently has developed a new itch to scratch...Why do they constantly badger (oops! sorry, Illini fans) Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson? Leave them alone already. Let Jones's hammie get well, and let Benson maximize his time learning the plays. Everyone knows a healthy Jones will start, and that Benson and A.P. will get plenty of minutes. There's no controversy. Lighten up.

posted by Warren @ 1:23 PM

Michael Barrett of the Chicago Cubs batting .331! What's he been drinking since returning from his suspension? Dusty, bottle it, or, better yet, schedule suspensions for the whole team. How about moving him to the second spot in the batting order? If Barrett had the minimum amount of plate appearances (311 at this point--Barrett's got 278), he'd be the second-leading hitter in the league! Yikes. Look who's the third-leading hitter--guy name of Nomar Garciaparra.

Can we get Carlos Zambrano into the regular lineup? None of the following guys has (fill in the blank ): Murton, Pierre, Pagan, Perez, Blanco, Cedeno, Mabry, and Theriot. Answer: More home runs than Zambrano! His 12 wins are the best in the league. He also had the most strikeouts as of the start of action today. He'd be batting cleanup in the American League.

The NFL has it in for the Bears. The league has banned All-Pro center Olin Kreutz from putting the waggle on opposing defenses. No longer will Kreutz be able to bewitch the defenders by cursing them with his muddy, twisting fingers. Did someone really complain about this cool tactic? I mean, it's not like he just started doing it. Recommendation to Olin: switch to the wiggle. It's the same thing as the waggle, but only the waggle was nixed. That's your story, Olin, and stick to it or threaten to bring in legal counsel.

posted by Warren @ 2:41 PM

Former Cub slugger Sammy Sosa feels he's being overlooked in baseball's current team popularity contests. He actually considers himself Hall of Fame material.

I'm with you, Sammy. Because I loved all your homers? Because I loved your hustle? Because I loved your homer hop? And because of the sheer excitement in anticipation of another monster blast whenever you stepped into the batter's box? Yep, all that and more--your enthusiasm for baseball. For all these reasons, I can forgive you for the sloppy farewell. And the steroid questions? I still believe a man should be considered innocent until proven otherwise. So here's hoping you're still hopping.

More from the homer department...Fergie Jenkins holds the Cub record for most four-baggers by a pitcher in one season, with 6. Carlos Zambrano has 4 so far this season. ...And the White Sox have tied a club record for grand slams in a season, with 8.

...Dan and Dick go into a Chicago sports bar. Who are they? Just two guys looking for a blog on which to describe their problems. They found one.

Dan said:

"I've sure gotten old! I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees. Fought prostate cancer and diabetes. I'm half blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine, take 40 different medications that make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts. Have bouts with dementia. Have poor circulation; hardly feel my hands and feet anymore. Can't remember if I'm 85 or 92. Have lost all my friends. But, thank God, I still have my driver's license."

Dick said:

"I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape, so I got my doctor's permission to join a fitness club and start exercising. I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. But by the time I got my leotards on, the class was over."

posted by Warren @ 5:41 PM

Couldn't help but get, uh, excited at the report coming out of the Chicago Bears training camp that Leon Joe was seen TALKING to teammate Lance Briggs and ditto for Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson. That's nice. zzzzzzzzzz

I looked at the list of the nominees for the baseball Hometown Heroes promotion again. Three more names of notable Cubs jumped out at me. Except that they were nominated for other clubs. Think of the possibilities if only the Cubs had retained Joe Carter, who ranked among the leading AL sluggers for about 10 years; Jamie Moyer, who has had many great years on the mound and is still pitching (at the age of 44!) for the Mariners; and Dennis Eckersley, who became one of the most effective closers of his day and won election to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

[Alan Reifman, the son of one of Warren's cousins, writes in to say: The Cubs gave up Joe Carter in the 1984 mid-season trade that brought Rick Sutcliffe from Cleveland. The two players' career stats are at the following links: Carter, Sutcliffe. The 6-foot-7 Sutcliffe, of course, immediately went 16-1 with the Cubs (2.69 ERA) in helping lead them to the '84 NL East title, the Cubs' first championship of any kind in nearly 40 years. He also had a good year in 1989 (16-11, 3.66 ERA) as part of another divisional crown for the North Siders. In the three seasons from 1987-1989, Sutcliffe pitched at least 226 innings each year, which means he typically lasted six or seven innings in each start. I, for one, find Carter vs. Sutcliffe a debatable proposition. Carter was a dependable 30 HR/100 RBI guy for many years, but his career OPS, which many baseball experts consider a key indicator of overall offensive prowess, does not rank in the top 100.]

Dan and Dick walked into a Chicago sports bar. They looked around and wondered why they went in. Little did they know it was only to provide a reason for telling these stories.

Dan said:

Before the funeral services, the undertaker came up to the very elderly widow and asked, "How old was your husband?" "98," she replied. "Two years older than me." "So you're 96," the undertaker commented. She responded, "Hardly worth going home, is it?"

Dick said:

Reporters interviewing a 104-year-old woman: "And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?" the reporter asked. She replied, "No peer pressure."

posted by Warren @ 12:43 PM

The final reports from the Las Vegas basketball tournaments are FANtastic for IlliniNation. The writers and bloggers can't find enough superlatives to describe the performances by OUR Eric Gordon. Observers say he runs the court like a cheetah, slithers around the half-court like a sn...(I hate sn...s), jumps and shoots like MJ (yeah, that MJ), and dunks like Shaq. One giddy attendee at the tournaments likened Gordon to Oscar Robertson, and another says he's the best-looking young player since Isiah Thomas but bigger. Another observer says that if Derrick Rose commits to Illinois, he and Gordon would re-create the dynamic duo, as in Batman and Robin, on the basketball court. Wouldn't that be a POW! BOOM! BANG!

In case you're wondering, there are some of us who are on the Midnight Madness countdown. It's 78 days. Here's hoping Batman and Robin will attend. POW! BOOM! BANG!

Rex Grossman of the Bears or Brett Favre of the Packers? Who's going to be standing longer?...A main key to the Bears' success? Mark Bradley. Second-round pick in 2005 had become a starting wide receiver in the fourth game. Got hurt and was gone in the seventh game. Showed a great ability to catch short, medium-range, and long passes. Stretched the defense and opened the field for other receivers. On the road to the Pro Bowl.

posted by Warren @ 9:24 AM

Apparently various Illini hoop fans are wondering where the points will be coming from in the 2006-2007 season. Not to worry. The answer lies in accepting the fact that this team's success will depend on its deep, total squad of talented athletes rather than one scoring machine. While I expect a breakout year from Shaun Pruitt, I can also see double figures coming from Smith, Arnold, McBride, Randle, Carter, Meachem, and possibly others. Seventy+ points and good defense should result in a lot of wins.

Kudos (Australian congratulations) to Cub manager Dusty Baker and Bears QB Rex Grossman.

Yesterday's 8-6 win over the Mets shows that Dusty is still exercising his brain cells despite being hounded by repeated calls for his head. Dusty pulls his closer Ryan Dempster in the ninth inning with the bases loaded and two outs in favor of Bob Howry, who had blown a games a few days ago. And it works! (OK, a half kudo goes to the successful Howry as well.)

Rex has been working like a man on a mission. Now we know what that mission is. Says Rex: I'm not trying to be the best quarterback on my team. I'm trying to be the best quarterback in the league." Way to go, Rex."

posted by Warren @ 8:46 AM

Eric Gordon has said he's coming to Illinois so many times that a de-commitment at this point would be unthinkable. In fact, such an action would make a mockery of the verbaling phase and probably bring about a review of the entire recruiting process.

The Las Vegas AAU tournaments established what we all knew--the top three 2007 players, in alphabetical order, are Gordon, Mayonnaise, and Rose. The fact that the games won't end until tomorrow? Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter.

Answers to the White Sox quiz : 1, B. 2, A. 3, D. 4, A.
Answers to the Cub quiz: 1, A. 2. C. 3, B. 4, A.

Biggest disappointments in the Cub organization include the failure of Rich Hill to succeed in the majors and the failure of Felix Pie (pronounced Pee-ay) to do likewise. And if they had made some progress this year? Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter.

The Big 10 will go on another foreign basketball tour next month. Representing the Illini will be, go figure, Marcus Arnold. Hmmm! Now what does that choice mean? Remember how much good it did for Calvin Brock?

posted by Warren @ 8:52 AM

A knowledgeable sportswriter wonders how good Rich McBride will be in his upcoming senior year. The answer: McBride will be as good as the motion offense allows, and that will depend on the point guard. I see Frazier as the starting point guard, with lots of minutes at that position for Meachem. The fight for starting shooting guard will be between McBride and Jamar, with the hot hand getting the most minutes.

Who knows how the mix of Pruitt, Carter, Arnold, and Randle wil shake down? And will Carlwell be a surprise? Is there a scoring beast among the whole group? Maybe Randle! I think this will be a deep, balanced team with three or four players scoring in double figures each game--and not always the same players. Good enough for second place in the Big Ten and two wins in the Big Dance.

A respected Illini hoops follower says beefy Charles Jackson is the front line wild card. Maybe. With Jackson, Pruitt, and Carlwell, we’d have some real muscle on the front line. Greatest need, however, is for Jamar Smith to become a scoring machine. Biggest question marks: Carter, Brock, and rookie Semrau. Brock may make his greatest contribution before the season begins—if he can just reel in fellow Simeon teammate Derrick Rose.

posted by Warren @ 10:46 AM

White Sox Quiz

1. Which Sox player of the late 1920's doubled as a professional boxer?

A. Carl Reynolds
B. Art Shires
C. John Mostil
D. Big Klu

2. Who led the pennant-winning 1959 Sox in homers?

A. Sherm Lollar
B. Al Smith
C. Big Klu
D. Mary Frances Veeck

3. The regular outfield for the Black Sox included:

A. Jackson, Collins, and Risberg
B. Gandil, Marberry, and Jackson
C. Bilandic, Vrdolyak, and Daley
D. Jackson, Felsch, and Liebold

4. What was the name of the 1906 Sox pennant winners?

A. The Hitless Wonders
B. The Sockless Sox
C. The Shoeless Swatters
D. The Runless Hose

Cub Quiz


1. Which Cub led the National League in walks for three consecutive years?

A. Ron Santo
B. Ernie Banks
C. Billy Williams
D. Moe Thacker

2. Who was the third baseman in the Tinker-Evers-Chance infield?

A. Sandow Mertes
B. Jimmy Sheckard
C. Harry Steinfeldt
D. Vince Lloyd

3. Which evangelist was once an active player for the Cubs?

A. Billy Graham
B. Billy Sunday
C. Billy Joe Hargis
D. Elmer Gantry

4. Who was President of the United States when the Cubs won their last World Series?

A. Theodore Roosevelt
B. Woodrow Wilson
C. Herbert Hoover
D. Millard Fillmore

Answers floating? in cyberspace but will be revealed tomorrow.

posted by Warren @ 5:54 PM

It is often said by wise people that the meaning of life is not in the destination but in the journey. So, today I'd like to recall THE WAY Cub pitcher Sam Jones finished off his 4-0 no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates on a dreary afternoon on May 12, 1955, in Wrigley Field.

First, two things about Jones: He was known for a lack of control (which means no one ever knew where his blazing fastball and other pitches were going), and he had an especially vicious curve (which means no one ever knew where his curve was curving to).

Oh yeah, one more thing, he was known as "Toothpick" because he chewed toothpicks while he pitched. I suppose that's better than chewing pencils.

Here's what transpired in that unforgettable ninth inning:

The situation looked promising as Jones finished his warmup pitches on the mound. Due up were the Pirates's eighth, ninth, and leadoff hitters--second baseman Gene Freese, pitcher Vernon Law, and center fielder Tom Saffel. The remaining three outs, however, would not come easily. Jones's curve suddenly acquired wanderlust, and he was to take fans and players alike through a harrowing inning.

Jones opened the ninth by walking Freese.

Then, Preston Ward pinch-hit for Law. Jones uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Freese to take second. Moments later, Ward also walked. Romano Mejias went in to run for Ward. Saffel stepped into the batter's box. The Pirate leadoff man never took the bat from his shoulder. Jones walked him, too, loading the bases with no outs.

Forget about the no-hitter--a home run would tie the game! And the Pirates had their three most dangerous hitters coming up--Dick Groat, Roberto Clemente, and Frank Thomas.

Cub manager Stan Hack walked to the mound. The entire Cub infield joined the conference. Catcher Clyde McCullough turned to Hack and joked: "If you take him out, you'll have to take me with you, and all three of us better leave through the gate in left field."

Toothpick insisted that he still had plenty left. Hack gave the pitcher his chance. Jones steadied himself to face Groat. The Pirate shortstop was a pesty hitter. He hit to all fields and seldom struck out.

McCullough signaled for a curve. The ball dipped sharply as it crossed the plate for a called strike. Groat stood mezmerized in the batter's box as Jones broke off a second sharp curveball for a strike, and then a third. One out.

Clemente stepped to the plate. Though just a rookie, he already had a reputation of swinging at everything in sight. He went after Jones's first pitch and got air. He missed the next pitch, too.

Clemente fouled off the third pitch.

He fouled off the fourth pitch.

He also went after Jones's fifth pitch, but fanned. Two outs!

The menacing figure of cleanup batter Frank Thomas strode to the plate. One of the top sluggers in Pirate history, Thomas could easily reach the left-field bleachers and tie the game.

As the Pirate star dug into the batter's box, Jones bit down hard on his toothpick. During most games, he went through toothpicks at the rate of about one an inning. But this day, he had chewed only one, and now it was worn to a frazzle.

Jones's first pitch to Thomas was a curve. The Pirate slugger lunged at it futilely. Strike one! Jones curved Thomas again. The pitch hung dangerously high, and Thomas swung mightily, but missed. Strike two!

All the air seemed to leave Wrigley Field as Toothpick stared down at McCullough. Once more, the catcher asked for the curve. Jones reared back and fired. Thomas pulled his bat back to swing, but changed his mind.

The ball cut neatly over the outside corner.

"Strike three!" bellowed plate umpire Art Gore.

And bedlam broke loose. For Jones and thousands of Cub fans, it was an incredible moment.

This account was excerpted from "Sam Jones's No-Hitter" by George Castle.

Aftermath: Jones pitched two years for the Cubs, going 14-20 in his no-hit year and 9-14 in 1956. He ended a 12-year career in the majors (W-102, L-101) when he retired after the 1964 season.

posted by Warren @ 11:54 AM

There's that name again. Will Cub fans ever be allowed to live in peace? I raise this question in connection with the Hometown Heroes promotion I wrote about yesterday. As I scanned the lists of nominees on all the teams, I felt stabbing pains and streams of sweat when I saw the first name on the list for the St. Louis Cardinals: Lou Brock.

Cub fans are sure to regard the Lou Brock-Ernie Broglio trade as the worst deal in the team's history. Here's another look: On June 15, 1964, the Cubs sent outfielder Brock, reserve pitcher Jack Spring, and minor league pitcher Paul Toth to the Cardinals for pitchers Ernie Broglio and Bobby Shantz and outfielder Doug Clemens.

When the deal was made, the Cubs were in sixth place with a 27-27 record, 5 1/2 games out of first. Brock, then 25 years old, and Broglio, 28, were the key players in the trade. Blessed with speed and occasional power, Brock first appeared in a Cub uniform in 1961. But he had disappointed the Cubs, hitting .263 in 1962 and .258 in 1963. He was batting .251 the day of the trade.

In addition, many observers viewed Brock as a clown in the outfield. Fans also felt that he did not always use his speed wisely on the bases.

Broglio, on the other hand, had been a winner. He compiled a 21-9 record for the Cardinals in 1960 and went 18-8 with an ERA of 2.99 in 1963. But he experienced arm trouble in the spring of 1964. On the day of the trade, Broglio had a 3-5 record with a 3.53 ERA. But the Cubs assumed that the big right-hander's arm was sound.

Announcement of the deal caused little controversy. Red Smith, whose syndicated column ran in the Sun-Times, said: "St. Louis has been desperate for outfielders with power, but one has to wonder whether Brock is the guy to fill the need. With a guy like Broglio, you don't have to speculate. You know he has the ability to win 20 games because he's done it." One local sportswriter said of Brock: "Being traded for a class pitcher is a high compliment for a young player who has never hit over .263."

Brock, however, caught fire almost from the moment he joined the Cardinals and ended the 1964 season batting .314. He knocked out 200 hits and stole about 50 bases. Sparked by Brock, the Cardinals won the NL pennant. Brock continued his hot hitting in the World Series and helped the Cardinals defeat the New York Yankees.

Unfortunately for the Cubs, it soon became clear that Broglio's arm was less than sound. He won four games and lost seven for the North Siders in 1964. He won a total of three more games for the Cubs and retired from the majors in 1966.

Brock became one of baseball's greatest players. He helped lead St. Louis to pennants in 1967 and 1968. Ten years after the trade, at the age of 35, Brock established a major league record by stealing 118 bases in one season. In 1979, he made his 10,000th plate appearance. He also got a final slap at his old team by getting the 3,000th hit of his career against Cub pitcher Dennis Lamp.

Brock ended his 19-year career in 1979. Several years later, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

This account was excerpted from "The Great Mistake" by Doug Washer.

posted by Warren @ 7:19 PM

Baseball fans are getting an opportunity to recommend the five greatest players of their favorite teams, courtesy of a promotion by Major League Baseball and DHL Shipping Services. The promotion is called Hometown Heroes and is sure to generate a lot of controversy. The White Sox nominees look solid: Luke Appling, Nellie Fox, Harold Baines, Minnie Minoso, and Frank Thomas. Maybe Ron Kittle for Thomas? Just kidding.

Then there's the Cubs. Another justifiable group: Ernie, Billy, Fergie, Ryno, and Ron. But here's the rub. Sammy's missing. Maybe he got knocked out by the character qualification. But Pete Rose and Ty Cobb made the list. I love Ronnie, but I've got to go with Sammy instead even though I like Ronnie's high kick better than Sammy's cute little hop.

The most fearsome quintet? How about dem darn Yankees with Yogi Berra, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, and Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe.

posted by Warren @ 8:03 PM

Every player--as well as the rest of us-- eventually ends his or her career/life with some sort of legacy, a remembrance, a dominant image. I've been thinking about this lately in connection with the 2006 World Cup and a major league pitcher from the '50's and '60's.

Unless you are an ostrich, and that's ok--I'm always seeking a diverse readership-- you know all about Zidene of France, he of the vicious head butt heard round the world. I not making a critical judgment since I don't know the words exchanged before the assault. Butt isn't it ironic that despite being considered the best soccer player EVER, the guy will always first be remembered for his shocking head butt!

Now about the hurler. This guy played in the majors 14 years with eight teams. He never won more than 11 games in a regular season. He finished his career with 91 losses and 81 wins. However, he is regarded as a legend, and fans think of him as an author of one of the greatest games in baseball history. Guy name of Don Larsen.

Fifty years ago this October, the burly New York Yankee pitcher beat the Brooklyn Dodgers 2-0 while pitching a perfect game in the World Series, a feat that still stands among the greatest baseball records. He went on to have a pretty mediocre career. Like Zidene's, Larsen's career stats don't count for a hill of beans whenever his name is mentioned. But does Larsen care? Nope. He loves it when fans meet him and ask to talk about his one shining moment.

Nobody ever said life, or sports, was fair.

And in case you're wondering about a Chicago connection in this item, here it is: Larsen pitched for both the White Sox and the Cubs. He was traded from Kansas City to the South Siders during the 1961 season and had a 7-2 record that year for the Sox. He ended up with the Cubs in 1967 and had a 0-0 record in three games. He pitched the final game of his major league career for the Cubs on July 7, 1967.

posted by Warren @ 7:33 PM

Illini football is almost here. The first game is against Eastern Illinois on September 2. A pushover, right? Well, once upon a time--Sept. 22, 1990, to be exact--the Illini opened at home against lightly regarded Southern Illinois.

The stadium was jammed with Illini fans, but there were a fair number of Saluki fans. And it seemed that most of them were sitting all around me. They were a good natured group and were confident we would be seeing a major upset. I encouraged them to enjoy themselves before the game started because the Illini would probably be leading by three touchdowns at the end of the first quarter.

However, to the delight of the SIU fans, the Salukis scored first. OK, I conceded to the Southern fans, so it won't be a shutout. The Saluki fans went nuts when Southern took a 14-7 lead. And the sickening roar of "Upset, Upset" erupted when Southern unbelievably scored again. But that was it for SIU as Illlini fans witnessed a great Illini comeback victory. Howard Griffith ran over, through, and around the Salukis and scored eight touchdowns and 48 points, still school records. So don't treat any of your Eastern friends too badly until we get at least a four-touchdown lead.

posted by Warren @ 7:33 PM

The Cubs are an old ball club. Not this year's team. Well, this year's team too. How old? Would you believe 131 years? Yep, started playing in 1875. I'd say it's time for a name change. Start anew with something like the Chicago Vines. And, if they can grow grapes on the outfield vines, they could also change the uniforms--featuring purple stripes for home games and green stripes for road games.

Once upon a time...here are more highlights from the Cubs' heartbreaking 1969 season:
Willie Smith's 11th inning homer won the opener 6-5...the Cubs won 11 of their first 12 games...the Cubs held first place in the Eastern Division of the NL from April 8 to September 10 (Ouch!)...the Cubs lost only two season series to other teams...The pitching staff included two 20-game winners--Fergie Jenkins (21-15) and Bill Hands (20-14)...Fergie also led the league in starts with 42, a club season record...the Cub pitching staff threw a total of 22 shutouts...Batting leaders--batting average, Billy Williams, .293...most rbi's, Ron Santo, 123...home runs, Santo, 29...triples, Williams, 10...doubles, Don Kessinger, 38...hits, Williams, 188...walks, Santo, 96...stolen bases, Kessinger, 11...times hit by pitch, Ernie Banks, 7.

posted by Warren @ 6:49 PM

Cub fans, the situation looks pretty bleak right now. So it seems just the perfect time to look back to the glory year of 1969 (W-92, L-70). Here are records set or tied by the 1969 team:

Major League Records Set:
Most errorless games, consecutive, shortstop, season--54, Don Kessinger
Most years, consecutive, member, club--94: Cubs (Extended own record)

Major League Records Tied:
Most two-base hits, game,--4: Billy Williams, April 9
Making all club's hits, game--4: Billy Williams, September 5
Most years leading league, games played, third base--7: Ron Santo
Most assists, inning, pitcher--3: Phil Regan, June 6 (6th inning)

National League Records Set:
Most games played, consecutive, lifetime--982: Billy Williams
Most strikeouts, right-hander, season--273: Fergie Jenkins
Most years, consecutive, 100 or more homers--20: Cubs (Extended own
record)


How good (or bad) were the Cubbies against other teams from 1900 through 1969?


Cubs vs. Won Lost

Braves 839 646
Reds 766 718
Astros 66 72
Dodgers 760 720
Expos 10 8
Mets 79 65
Phillies 814 674
Pirates 728 764
Cardinals 765 711
Padres 11 1 (Corrected from previously saying "Pilots")
Giants 706 781

Totals 5,544 5,160

Stay tuned for more 1969 Cub season highlights!

posted by Warren @ 9:14 PM

Eric (still an Illini recruit) Gordon accomplished another goal. He got to play on the same team as Derrick Rose. And, surprise, surprise, their team won the Peach Jam tourney. Gordon was quoted as saying he's still working on Rose to join him on the Illini. Peachy.

Going into the 2006-2007 season, the Illini hoopsters will have three seniors--Marcus Arnold, Warren Carter, and Rich McBride. It seems that Carter has been around for about 10 years. And it seems we were sweating out the recruitment of McBride and Brian Randle only a year or two ago. Usually, players improve the most in their sophomore and senior years. So the Illini could have an explosive duo in McBride and Jamar Smith. Can we just skip the football season and get right to basketball?

posted by Warren @ 8:32 PM

Recruiting high school hoopsters reached a low point with the Chicago Tribune reporting that Indiana coach Kelvin Sampson continues to try to get Eric Gordon to stiff the Illini. But not to worry. Gordon should know that Illini coach Bruce Weber is squeaky--squeaky clean, that is. And good news on the Derrick Rose front. Rose says he wants to play for a team with a motion offense. Dee, Deron, Luther, get on your cell phones immediately. Can you believe the official signing day for the high school cagers isn't until November!

posted by Warren @ 7:33 PM

The Baby Bulls are 1-1 in the summer league. Little known Aaron Miles is leading the team in scoring! Draftee Tyrus Thomas got 11 rebounds in Game 2. Bulls, hire Dennis Rodman immediately so he can create a clone in Thomas. Another goodie: draftee Thabo Sefolosha has looked sharp. Prediction: Sefo will be the NBA Rookie of the Year next year. Bulls, work out an arrangement to sign the Bears' Brian Urlacher and Cub Derrick Lee for whatever time you can. Team them up with Wallace, Gordon, and Hinrich.

posted by Warren @ 7:52 PM

Wow! I almost forgot about our secret weapon in recruiting Derrick Rose of Simeon High School: He'd get to rejoin his former Simeon hoopmate Calvin Brock. Go Calvin.

A friend says I shouldn't get excited about Gordon or Rose because they're only going to play one year of college ball before moving to the NBA. So we only get one NCAA crown? I'll take it!

posted by Warren @ 8:56 PM

Ever since I raised the possibility of the Illini hoopsters playing with four guards, I've been thinking that such an elite group should have an exciting nickname. One such moniker that sticks in my mind from years ago is the Chinese Bandits, I believe, of LSU. But I'm stuck right now on a catchy name for the soon to be great again cagers. My first thoughts, all since rejected, were Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (a bit too threatening, eh?), the Jamal Smith Quartet (sound like a barbershop singing group?), the Sean Pruitt Quintet ( just a larger musical group?), and the Fearsome Foursome. My Chinese friends definitely reject any name with the word "four," which is unlucky. The Fearsome Eightsmen is a sure winner, according to them. Yeah, but....I was keen on Bruce's Bombers for a while and then the Flyin' Finishers (to reflect the Mission: finish what the 2004-2005 team started?). So, obviously, there's still a lot of work to be done!

Hey! It's All-Star time for MLB. Prediction: White Sox 8, National League 2.

posted by Warren @ 9:15 AM

Whew! Eric Gordon's father has said his son is still coming to Illinois. This keeps alive my hopes and expectations that Bruce will revolutionize (that's what ah'm sayin' and that's what ah'm meanin') the game in 2007. No kidding, if Derrick Rose comes, wouldn't you like to see a starting lineup of Sean Pruitt and the mighty mites--Derrick, Demetri, Eric, and Jamar? Rebounds? The guards of course will get most of the long rebounds on missed shots.

posted by Warren @ 11:48 AM

Derrick Rose is down with a sprained ankle. Eric Gordon is visiting Indiana. What's next?E'twan, are you watching? Bruce, are you watching E'twan? Cole and Tisdale, you must keep growing next year. You can't come if you don't reach 7 feet.

posted by Warren @ 10:03 AM

There's trouble in the Cubs dugout, but don't take it out on Dusty! The problem lies with the players, specifically the injured ones. It's not Dusty's fault that Lee, Prior, and Wood have contributed little or nothing during the first half. The playoffs are probably out of sight, but the Cubs could pull off a Bulls-type rush up the standings in the second half. OK, so my glass is half full. And for Pete's sake (whoever Pete is), get Murton back in left so he can take his rookie lumps and get ready to contribute next year.

posted by Warren @ 7:25 AM

Are the Illini cagers on the cusp of another heartbreaking loss of the state's Number 1 player (i.e., Derrick Rose)? Do we have a plan to keep Bill Self at least a mile away from Rose at all times? Illini fans, take your posts. Is someone organizing the ex-Simeon Illini--Deon Thomas, Bryant Notree, Nick Anderson, and others--to tell Rose the importance of tradition?

OK now to the more immediate problem: How do we assemble our troops to face the onslaught of Greg Oden (who even has a fan website at this early stage) and the other beasties at OSU? (Unfortunately, we have to wait a year before we can bring in Eric Gordon and the rest of the cavalry.)

I see Pruitt with a breakout year at center. With Oden patrolling the post area, however, we're going to depend on long-range shooting once again. Our best lineup, then, would include Jamar, Rich, and Trent Meachem. Randle and Carter will split the forward position. The second team: Jackson, Carter, Arnold, Carlwell, and Frazier? Or will Jamar have to play the entire game?

posted by Warren @ 3:05 PM

Expect the Illini football team to be pretty bad again this season? Maybe so but...you oldtimer Illini fans might recall the year long ago when an unheralded duo named J.C. Caroline and Mickey Bates came roaring out of the backfield to lead the Illini to a great season in the early 1950's.

Can history repeat with the Mendenhall brothers, Walter and Rashard? Walter has been moved to the fullback slot, and Rashard is presently ranked behind Pierre Thomas and E.B. Halsey. But Rashard has been compared favorably with no less than Emmitt Smith at this time in his career! The Mendenhalls, both averaging about 200 yards a game in high school, go on display in a few weeks.

posted by Warren @ 7:20 PM

The great experiment with the high school Bulls is over. Let's hear it for Bulls' management! With the passion of the young Bulls and the experience of new Bulls Ben Wallace and P.J. Brown, the Bulls are leading contenders for the NBA crown. No doubt about it.

posted by Warren @ 5:04 PM

The big news in Chicago sports at the moment is the Bulls' acquisition via free agency of Detroit's Ben Wallace. In my opinion, this gives the Bulls a defensive presence under the basket that they lacked, to go along with their outstanding outside shooting. I'll have more to add in the coming days...

posted by Warren @ 10:57 AM

Welcome to my new blog on Chicago and Illini sports. You'll be able to read about the Cubs, Sox, Bulls, Bears, and Blue and Orange football and hoops...

posted by Warren @ 6:18 PM