Chicago Sports News - News, Photos and More on the Windy Citizen

Thousands cheer for 100-year dream at Cubs rally

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:14:14 -0500

The Dodgers might not want to come to Chicago if it means facing the Cubs, or rather the thousands of dedicated Cubs fans.

Cubs-Astros to play Sunday, Monday in Milwaukee

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 22:07:31 -0500

The Cubs and Houston will play two of their postponed games at 7:05 p.m. Sunday and 1:05 p.m. Monday at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Major League Baseball announced late Saturday night. The third postponed game will be played only if it affects the postseason situation, and not until the day after the end of the regular season.

Bears roll past Colts, 29-13

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:02:46 -0500

INDIANAPOLIS - The Matt Forte era in Chicago literally began with a bang.

The Bears rookie running back grabbed a second-quarter pass, shook off a blow from linebacker Clint Sessions, then absorbed a vicious stick from Colts safety Bob Sanders. The pinball action in the second quarter sent a woozy Forte to the sideline for a few plays, but he held on after the collision.

Forte's fearless debut was contagious. The Bears played like they had nothing to lose and everyone's respect to gain, recording a 29-13 victory behind 183 rushing yards, 123 by Forte on 23 carries, to spoil the opening of the Colts' new home, Lucas Oil Stadium.

For Brit Olympics hoopsters, Deng's policy's the thing

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:06:36 -0500

British officials believe they will need to pay $500,000 for Deng's supplementary coverage every summer between now and the London Olympics in order for him to play. The national team's program has an annual budget of approximately $3 million.

``This is a devastating blow," Chris Spice, the GBB performance director, told The Times. ``If Luol doesn't participate this season or any other season leading up to London, there is no question our involvement is in doubt.

Bears won't change defensive philosophy

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:18:59 -0500

The mere suggestion of tweaking the Cover-2 defensive scheme makes Lovie Smith a bit edgy.

"It's a little early to be talking about that," the Bears coach said. "Let's not do that.

"This is what people don't understand: We have the regular season starting now. You're not going to do anything in the preseason you're going to do in the regular season. It's all vanilla, what we do in the [preseason]. You can't judge any of that."

Translation: The Cover-2 isn't going anywhere.

Guillen keeps Sox in the mix

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:06:44 -0500

Ozzie Guillen sat back in his chair, stroking his hand through his jet-black hair.

Yes, it's amazingly still jet-black. A biological enigma, considering the toll the 2008 season has taken on him.

His deep sigh told the story hours before the White Sox' game Wednesday against the Cleveland Indians -- the first of many to be labeled ''must-win'' over the next three-plus weeks.

Zambrano's MRI reveals good news for Cubs

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:58:12 -0500

Carlos Zambrano showed up for his rescheduled MRI, his anti-inflammatory shot and the charter flight to Cincinnati, all in one day.

The Cubs now hope he will show up for a start next weekend in Houston, only two weeks before the beginning of the playoffs.

The MRI on Thursday revealed Zambrano's right shoulder has inflammation and rotator cuff tendinitis, which will take him out of Sunday's start against the Reds and give him as much as 11 days between outings.

Jenks helps Sox snap losing streak

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:59:45 -0500

Operation Big Boy was about two weeks in the making. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was just waiting for the right time to launch it.

Considering what was at stake Wednesday, it was time to play his trump card -- all 275-plus pounds of it.

With runners on the corners and one out in the eighth inning, Guillen brought in closer Bobby Jenks to protect a two-run lead against the Cleveland Indians.

Orton ready for his first start

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:42:24 -0500

By the end of a week of doing his gosh-darned dangedest to imitate Peyton Manning, Kyle Orton had the routine down pat.

He looked the part anyway, and he didn't have to switch from his No. 18 jersey. By all accounts -- linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer jokingly called him ''Peyton Manning reincarnated'' -- Orton, then the Bears' No. 3 quarterback, pulled off the act of mimicking the Indianapolis Colts quarterback in preparations for Super Bowl XLI in February 2007.

Z's season in jeopardy

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:18:07 -0500

In the case of Zany Z and the mysterious missing MRI, no news is not good news.

The silence surrounding the pain that is said to be in Carlos Zambrano's valuable right shoulder could speak volumes and the Cubs seemed to be preparing for the worst Wednesday, that Zambrano could be out for a long period, perhaps the rest of the season.