Bulls/Celtics

Game 6 was jaw-dropping.

This series has been absolutely nuts. Period. It's the greatest opening round series I have EVER seen especially between a 7 and a 2 seed.

The NBA has got to be salivating at the ratings they are getting for this.

...And game 7 is still to come.

GO BULLS!

Blackhawks WIN

The Blackhawks have won their first playoff series in 13 years!

Celebrate Chicago! You no longer need to pretend we don't have a hockey team!

My thoughts on Orlando Pace

THE BEARS GOT CUTLER!

That was the news everywhere on the first of April, but people missed the other huge signing that day. Left tackle Orlando Pace signed with the Bears to finish his career here. This man is a legend, a multiple pro bowl tackle who stands a great chance of making it to the Hall of Fame.

I like the move.

It gives us a huge veteran amount of leadership that was lacking on the left side of the line last year. However, it does move our 1st round pick last year, Chris Williams, to the right side of the line and I hope he can adjust. Moving to the right will ease the pressure on the kid's shoulders and let him grow into the left tackle position over time.

The one thing that worries me, is that the staff signed Pace because they don't have faith in Williams to hold up after his injury last year.

We'll just have to see.

Blackhawks vs Flames: 1st Round

The Chicago Blackhawks are back in the postseason!

Now if only we can win a series...

Things look real good for the Hawks because they beat Calgary four times this season, but the playoffs are always a tough environment, especially for the young team we have.

I'm calling a Blackhawks win in 5.

Bulls v Celtics: In first round

As it stands, The Bulls earned the seven seed after dropping the last game of the season.
Now, instead of taking on the Orlando Magic, we get the number two seed, and defending national champions, the Boston Celtics.

The good news: Garnett may not play due to injury.

The Bad news: This will be one HELL of a test for a young point guard in Derrick Rose.

As a Bulls fan, I hope they can pull it off, but the pure amount of veterans on the Celtics really worries me. I hope they can prove me wrong.

BEARS GET CUTLER

Oh my God...Jay Cutler is a Chicago Bear!

This is absolutely crazy. The Bears have a Pro Bowl QB.

I am giddy, completely giddy right now.

Let's win now!

Come on Blackhawks

To the Chicago Blackhawks:

Yes, we still remember you although we don't show it very often. You've never been a great franchise, but you have really turned it around this season. Perhaps people in Chicago will pay more attention once you make it to the playoffs. That is of course, if you make it, because dropping the last two games in a row with such a close race going on does not help.

What I wouldn't give to see the Blackhawks dethrone the Detroit Red Wings just once in the playoffs in my lifetime.

Bulls are Doing it Wrong

This is pitiful.

The Playoffs are almost here and my Bulls, who are barely hanging on to a playoff spot, decide to lose against a sub .500 team. That's not showing much heart or determination. As a matter of fact, that's just plain doing it wrong. As one of my good buddies would say: Epic Fail

Tradition

The White Sox apparently have a unique advertising system going on here:

Tradition

Centerfield? The White Sox don't need a centerfielder....right?

It's the end of Spring Training, and the White Sox still haven't fortified the center field position with anything that doesn't give me heart attacks.

At least Ozzie release Jerry Owens and his amazing mendoza line batting average finally. Sure he had the ability to steal 40+ bases a year, but you have to get on base to do that.

Now we have journeyman Dewayne Wise and still getting there prospect Brian Anderson. Both of them have had many chances but they never live up to their high expectations. Wise hits decently from the plate at times (especially this spring) and there's nothing Anderson can't do defensively in center.

Realistically, it's looking like a platoon between them and that's okay with me, I guess. If one fails, hopefully the other can get hot for awhile and vise versa.

It still hurts that we didn't get Torii Hunter before last year.

Sox sign Gavin Floyd to a 4-year extension

The White Sox just extended their number three pitcher for another four years.  

Floyd went 17-8 last season in his first full season with a big league club.  Floyd posted a quality 3.84 ERA this past season .  A four-year, $15.5 million contract is pretty reasonable for his skill set as well.

I am happy all the way around with this deal, now let's go lock up John Danks to an extension and I will be somewhat happy long-term with our pitching staff.

Getz has earned the second base spot

Chris Getz has beaten out Jayson Nix and Brent Lillibridge for the starting slot at secondbase for the Chicago White Sox this year.

I fully agree with this decision. Getz has been nothing but solid all Spring Training, with a solid average and decent fielding. Lillibridge is a strikeout machine, and Nix, while decent, got hurt and thus lost out on the job.

Now if only we can get a centerfielder with anything...

In love with Gordon Beckham

Gordon Beckham might be my new favorite White Sox right now. Drafted in the first round, the kid is skyrocketing in everything he's doing.

Okay, Spring Training has BARELY started but he has a .400 avg and two RBIs already. In today's game with the Dodgers he went yard in the 9th to start a rally and give us the win. I think I'm in love. Watch out for this kid, he may not make the team to begin with, but he will be a star someday.

Football Free Agency has begun!

Football Free Agency has begun!

...and the Bears won't do a thing.

There's no one REALLY worth it out there for this team. Most of the main targets I would have pressed for have been franchise tagged. Peppers, Cassell, and a boat load of others will not come to the Bears, a team that doesn't often grab big free agents.
T.J. Housh is out there, but he's the only good WR out there and thus his price will skyrocket. Haynesworth signed a monster deal with Washington. Ray Lewis we don't need or want.

I think the only realistic move would be to sign Byron Leftwich to have him compete for the starting job with Orton. Yes, I know, totally not a sexy move, but its realistic and helpful. Say what you will, but Lefty wants to start and he has prime oppuritunity in Chicago.

I say sign him and and pray for some luck in the draft.

Two White Sox Spring Games In...

Okay, I know it's Spring Training. I know these games don't matter all that much in the long run, but its really helpful to watch these position battles develop. It always helps to know how well these kids can hit and pitch against major-league level stuff.

The first game:

Angels 12, White Sox 3

Simply put, there was a lot of rust going on here for the White Sox. Our 3, 4, and 5 hitters enjoyed an unproductive day. No hits anywhere to be found. Let's just call that some rust.

Good news, however, can be found in Clayton Richard's stat line. Two scoreless innings of work with a walk really starts his campaign for the 5th starter slot well. Of course, Richard is known for not lasting past the 5th inning consistently in the past and two innings of work is not going to alleviate that. I look forward to seeing more of his work though because he has a high ceiling.

From what I hear, Jerry Owens starting in Center went decently well defensively. Owens has plenty of speed, but he really needs to gain defensive ability to maintain a spot all season.

Second game:

White Sox 4, Rockies 1

Great pitching today. Period. Floyd provided a solid two innings of work while giving up a sac fly run. Carrasco and Broadway were impressive in their innings of work as well. Broadway might be a dark horse for the 5th starter spot, but I'd perfer him to man the bullpen this year.

A lot of new and young hitters showed some decent skills today as well. Stolen bases from Lillibridge, Beckham and Allen give me hope that we can play some type of small ball this year. I REALLY like Beckham's ability, I just don't know where we can put him this year in the infield. Corky Miller made a great debut with the Sox in his campaign to earn the backup catcher slot. He went 3 for 3 and apparently called a great game for the pitching staff.

There are some things to look forward to here in the Spring. We will be better than what the pundits are predicting for us.

Joe Crede is the new Benedict Arnold

Joe Crede, the man who helped the White Sox win a World Championship, has gone to the dark side.

Crede signed with the Twins.

Of all teams, it had to be those annoying Twins.  The team that NEVER looks good on paper, but always mysteriously comes up and bites you in the ankles hard.  Last year they almost stole the division from an injured White Sox team and now they take a hometown hero (he only recently fell out of favor because of injury problems).

Crede is an amazing defensive third baseman WHEN he's healthy.  Those back problems have really killed him the past two years.  

Normally, I would wish a player luck as they leave the team, but signing with the Twins is a no-no in my book.  Take the salary Crede but don't play well for them and you may win back my nostalgic love.

This is Bulls***!

My poor poor pathetic Bulls.

After two great wins against Milwaukee and Denver you show how real you are. Another loss yesterday to an even worse team than we are (the Pacers). I understand that we have a new head coach in Vinny, and our "megastar" is still a rookie, but come on. We kept pace with them until the 4th quarter and then everything is blown. 17 points in the 4th?! Where is the clutch? Where is the heart?

Here's another stat for you. Only 14 points scored in the paint by the Bulls for the entire game. It's not like everyone has been screaming for a low-post scorer for years in Chi-town. This team could really be something if we traded one of these guard "stars" (looking at you Ben Gordon or Kirk Hinrich).

25-31 for the season. It could have been worse. A lot worse, but Bulls fans have been clamoring for a playoff powerhouse since Jordan left, and we just haven't seen it. With the addition of one big man scorer than all these close loses could turn into close wins.

Make it happen Jerry Reinsdorf, give us one player this offseason and you've got a championship caliber team on your hands.

Bulls looking for a big man?

The Chicago Tribune is up to their old rumors again...

Bulls getting a big man?

They are looking at Amare Stoudemire, Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby. Somehow, I'm not really excited here. Amare would be an upgrade, but there is no way we could win with just that addition this year. We are already to far behind. Better to let Derrick Rose continue to mature and get start setting up for next year. Kaman could work, but he's still too much of a role player and not a powerful inside scorer that we need. And Camby, well, they better not go there. Camby is Ben Wallace Version 2.0. All defense and no offense, and we need someone Rose can pass to on the inside.

I'm all for getting a low-post scorer, don't get me wrong, but I don't think now is the best time with these options. I think with a little patience they'll land someone to fill this team out a bit more.

White Sox 09 Bullpen Evaluation

This year's Chicago White Sox bullpen looks to build off last year's first-half success. Let's just forget about the second half because we got hit hard by the injury bug.

D.J. Carrasco
Octavio Dotel
Bobby Jenks
Scott Linebrink
Matt Thornton
Ehren Wassermann

This group should compose the main force in our bullpen this season along with whoever loses the starting pitcher job between Richard Clayton and Lance Broadway.

Carrasco is a great inning eater especially in those games where the starter doesn't last long. Dotel is a fireballer that is good for seventh-innings and situational right-handed pitching. Dotel tends to give up some homers though. Jenks is the human torch when it comes to throwing a baseball. The man hits 98 often but he struggled a little in the closer role last year. He should rebound this year as long as he stays healthy.

Linebrink is a great set-up man that relies on craftyness more than power. He got hurt last year mainly due to his age and I don't expect an injury-free campaign this year either. Thorton is an amazing lefty in our bullpen. He is great for seventh spots and left handed specialties. If he wasn't a bullpen specialists he would be an all-star easy. Wassermann stinks. That is all.

The bullpen looks good, but it really relies on the ability of our very few left-handers. I don't feel horrible going to Dotel-Linebrink-Jenks for the 7-8-9 but when one of them gets hurt, it won't be pretty.

Grade: B
Needs consistancy to be any kind of force this season.

R.I.P. Brett Favre

Mr. Favre,

We, the fans of Chicago, send you our greatest condolences in regards to your retirement. We know you're tired and hurting from the many glorious hits you've taken from Bears players over the years. We know you are just really old now and you can't hold up much longer. But frankly, this news is bittersweet to us. No other man has made us hate the Packers more than you. No other man has graced the top of Chicago's hit list for so long. And no other man has given us a reason to love Bears-Packers more than you. We have always been enemies and we will never be friends, but Mr. Favre you still gave us a great gift. A man to hate. A man to attack. And a man to respect for everything he did on the field. For us, you changed Sundays into the greatest theatre a Bears fan could ever ask for. So, as hard as this is to say, thanks for the memories and all the meaningful games you gave to your fans and your enemies.

Enjoy the retirement Mr. Favre, you've earned it.

Dayan Viciedo Bats

Here's a video of the White Sox new Cuban emigre taking some cuts in the batter's box. No one's ever seen video on him because he just came from Cuba. He's scheduled to contend for third base/outfield.

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200902053801048

My thoughts:

He's big. He's 19 (supposedly). He's really big for a 19 year old. Supposedly he has already lost 20 pounds since signing with the White Sox. It looks like he's got some power behind those swings, but it's only batting practice. I'm still wondering how agile he is, and if he plays third, what his arm strength is.

09 White Sox pitching outlook

With seven days left to go before the baseball players report to camp, I thought I would sit down and evaluate the current projected White Sox rotation.

As it stands now:

John Danks

Mark Buehrle

Gavin Floyd

Bartolo Colon

Lance Broadway/Clayton Richard/Aaron Poreda

At best this is an average rotation in most aspects. Only one pitcher has proven any type of consistancy and thats Buehrle. Danks and Floyd had breakout years last season, but it was their first significant signs of success. Danks proved that he could be a great ace with stellar postseason play. If Floyd doesn't drop off he is a very strong righty that can really pile up some strike-outs. A 17-8 record in your first full season as a starter is nothing to scoff at.

Simply put, the top three should do fine. It's the four and five slots that may drop the White Sox into mediocrity. The recent pick-up of Colon fills the 4th slot but Colon's better days may all be behind him as he hasn't been worth anything since winning the Cy Young. Injuries and a drop in velocity have brought him down several notches. Who knows, maybe the pitching staff see somthing that he can improve upon but I am not holding my breath. Hopefully, Jose Contreras can recover from his achilles injury by the mid-point of the season and take over for Colon if he struggles.

The fifth spot will be a fun one to monitor during spring training. GM Kenny Williams and Manager Ozzie Guillen have both implied that the spot will be up for grabs among all the young pitching on the team. Poreda has never seen big league action, but he dominated in the winter league with superb heat. Broadway and Richard both have performed decently in spot duties with the White Sox, but one of them needs to take a big step up if they want to anchor down the fifth spot. It's uneasy as a fan to go into the season with basically a rookie in the fifth slot, but the White Sox have done that for the past two years with Danks and Floyd and look how that turned out.

Grade: B

The White Sox aren't going to win on pitching dominance alone. Finding a balance and consistancy in the rotation, especially in the four and five slots will be their only hope of repeating as AL Central Champs.

Abreu a Sox?

There are a ton of rumors flying around that the White Sox have offered Outfielder Bobby Abreu a 1 year deal for around $8 million. XM radio even reported that Abreu has accepted the offer, but I'm skeptical until I hear it from a couple other sources.

Just two days ago General Manager Kenny Williams was telling fans and the media that there would be no more big free-agent signings. Guess that was a well-placed smokescreen from a GM that's prone to that kind of tactics.

If Abreu signs for the South Siders, where is he going to play? Last year, Abreu wasn't exactly stellar in right field for the Yanks and the Sox have an All-Star caliber player in Jermaine Dye already in right. The Sox do have a considerable hole in center field but Abreu doesn't have the speed to cover the gaps like we need. Perhaps they want to move left-fielder Carlos Quentin into center? He is younger, but he's never played the position before.

All in all, I like the move if Abreu agrees. It's relatively cheap and it at least adds options and a lot of power to our outfield. Abreu can still hit. He had 20 HRs and 100 RBI's last season. Combine that with Quentin's 36 HRs/ 100 RBI's and Dye's 34 HR/ 96 RBI's and that is one power hitting outfield in a very hitter friendly park.

Another option could be trading Dye after we acquire Abreu because Dye's contract ends after the conclusion of this season and many teams have shown an interest in Dye.

Either way, there's only 11 days left until the start of Spring Training so KW needs to get things solidified.

Richard Dent belongs in the Hall!

Tomorrow, the Hall of Fame Board of Selectors will meet and decide upon which of the 17 finalists will make the cut into the NFL class of 2009. Of those 17, one is the all-time great Chicago Bear Defensive End Richard Dent.

Dent has been a finalist in five of the past six years to make it into the Hall of Fame. It is beyond time that this man receives the respect that he earned on that playing field for so many years.

Dent was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 8th round (203rd overall) in 1983. He wasn't expected to accomplish much like most other 8th round selections, but he persevered. Dent primarily played the Right Defensive End position and focused on sacking the Quarterback.

He played 12 of his 15 seasons for Chicago including starting all 16 games with the 1985-86 Super Bowl Champion Bears. Most football fans regard that defense as the best ever in the NFL, and if not the best ever, it ranks at minimum in their top three. Dent anchored that defensive line and was the leader up front for that amazing defense.

Dent holds the Bears franchise-record in sacks with 124.5 sacks and had 137.5 sacks in his career. He totaled double-digit sacks in eight different seasons with the Bears including 17 in 1985, which was the highest total in the league. The only years Dent didn't reach double-digits with the Bears was 9 sacks in 1989 and 8.5 in 1992.

At the time of his retirement Dent was third all-time in sacks over his entire career.

Dent was selected to four Pro-Bowls and earned Super Bowl XX MVP honors when he recorded 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles on the world's greatest stage.

This weekend Dent needs to receive an 80 percent approval rating from the 44-member board to be elected into the Hall of Fame. In my opinion, he deserves it and should make the final cut from 17 to 7. If Dent were to make it in, he would join Walter Payton, Dan Hampton, and Mike Singletary as the fourth member of the legendary 1985 Bears team to be enshrined into the Hall of Fame.

He is a humble and great person that has been waiting for his turn too long. Good luck Mr. Dent. I am pulling for you.

Welcome to Windy City Sports

Welcome to The Windy City Sports blog!

My name is Zach Reves, and through this blog I will post news and my opinions on the current issues that are happening in Chicago-based sports. I am a sportswriter by trade and an avid fan of anything residing in the Second City (with one notable exception, but I'll get to that later).

I have followed the Chicago Bears, White Sox, Blackhawks, and Bulls for a majority of my 22 years of life. However, I have little love for the North Side Cubs for many different reasons so don't expect a lot of blogging about their exploits. Prepare to see a lot of information regarding these teams including scores, trades and anything else relevant in the business.

If it happens in Chicago I will know about it and share it here in this blog. So come along with me and revel in the greatness of Chicago based sports!

Bear Down Chicago!