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October 2012 Event To Benefit Chicago Urban Youth

CHICAGO, Sept. 19, 2011 /CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM/ — The Chicago River will be the site of the first-ever event to bring teams of world-class rowers together with youth teams to compete.  Chicago River Race Ltd. today announced the creation of The Chicago River Race, an international rowing event that will take place October 12 and 13, 2012.

According to Chicago River Race Executive Director Jennifer Butsch, in addition to attracting residents and visitors to the river to watch the competition, the event is designed to raise awareness of and funding for free developmental programs for Chicago urban youth.

“Chicago youth – especially in the most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods – need our help to thrive and succeed. The time is right for such an event that showcases alternative activities, such as rowing, that can take place on the river and make a difference for Chicago youth,” says Butsch.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today spoke in his press conference about river recreation initiatives, like races, that will bring positive attention to this important city asset. “We are pleased the Mayor’s Office and Chicago’s Alderman support the inaugural Chicago River Race for its commitment to the city’s youth and its use of the Chicago River,” said Butsch.  ”The city’s support is critical to hosting a successful, high-profile rowing event.  The Chicago River Race will add our city to the map of legendary global rowing events.”

The race will start at Ping Tom Park on the city’s south side with rowers passing under 16 of the  iconic bridges that span the river.  The finish line will be at the Merchandise Mart’s South Drive, where a special feature of the two-day event will be a festival for kids and families to learn about youth programs and experience them first-hand in a fun and interactive environment.

The Chicago River Race will be an invitation-only “headrace” in which crews are set off individually and timed down a course. There will be five categories of competitors: elite international men’s and national collegiate coxed fours; elite international woman’s and national collegiate coxed fours; junior boys quadruple sculls; junior girls quadruple sculls and an open master group open to a limited number of competitors based on fundraising requirements.

A handicapping system will be used that will allow competitors to compete against all other classes of rowers while still being focused on results within their peer group.  The handicap will be created by the results from the prior day’s indoor physical challenge on indoor rowing machines.

The two-day event will culminate in a parade of youth rowers from Chicago as well as an awards dinner to announce the five category winners and the one overall winner.

The Chicago River Race will be funded through sponsorships with race profits designated to fund youth programming as well as college scholarships.   There are three sponsorship levels:  Presenting sponsor, Youth Tent sponsor and Race Category sponsors.  ”This is a tremendous opportunity for companies to get in on the ground floor of a signature event that has the support of the City and will draw international attention,” said Butsch.

Chicago River Race LTD is a 501 ( c ) 3 organization that was formed with the singular goal to create an annual international rowing race on the Chicago River in support of free developmental programs for Chicago’s urban youth.

SOURCE The Chicago River Race

http://www.thechicagoriverrace.org

Righty could return in early June; Cashner, Wells progressing

CHICAGO — The Cubs lost another starting pitcher Tuesday as Matt Garza went on the disabled list, but they got good news on Andrew Cashner and expect Randy Wells back this weekend in the rotation.

Garza was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 18, with a right elbow bone contusion.

“I’m not happy going on the DL,” Garza said. “I’d rather get healthy and come back in a start or two and get after it.”

It wasn’t a specific pitch that caused the problem, Garza said, but something that’s been nagging him for some time. He underwent an MRI on Monday, which showed there was no structural damage.

“We’re just happy it’s just a bruise,” Garza said. “It could’ve been worse. There’s a lot of reasons things like that happen. It’s more wear and tear. If you’re a runner and your knees are sore, it’s usually a bruise. It’s something that happens.”

If all goes well, Garza (2-4, 3.72 ERA) could be ready for the Cubs’ series in St. Louis, which starts June 3. He will not throw for a few days to give the bruise time to heal.

“Optimistically, we feel that as soon as the full range of motion is back and he gets rid of the discomfort, he could be ready to pitch in St. Louis,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.

The Cubs have been scrambling to fill two spots in the rotation with the loss of Cashner and Wells after their first turn in the rotation. They can’t afford to lose Garza for long.

“It was the best news we could hope for,” Hendry said of the MRI results.

Cashner has been on the disabled list since April 6 with a strained right rotator cuff and was examined on Monday by orthopedic specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum, who confirmed what the Cubs team doctor reported, which was aggravation of the shoulder. Cashner felt some discomfort before he was to pitch in a game at extended spring camp in Mesa, Ariz., last week.

“No surgery is needed or even close to being needed,” Hendry said of Cashner, who will restart his rehab.

Yocum was unable to provide an explanation as to why Cashner aggravated the shoulder but felt the right-hander will heal fine.

Wells, on the disabled list since April 5 with a strained right forearm, pitched four innings in his second rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Iowa. He was back at Wrigley Field on Tuesday and will start Saturday in the second game of the Cubs’ series against the Pirates.

“He threw the ball with a lot of snap, a lot of velocity,” Hendry said of Wells’ last rehab start. “He wasn’t sharp but the arm strength was good and the slider was good, and he’ll be ready to go Saturday.”

Wells said he was ready to throw 90 pitches. Being sidelined has been “difficult,” he said.

“You start asking a lot more questions and you start paying a lot more attention to minor things [when you're hurt],” he said.

The Bulls are heading into Game 5 tonight against the Indiana Pacers with a 3-1 lead in the series. Chicago’s Derrick Rose, who had a sprained ankle, is expected to play. Rose described the team’s letdown after losing Game 4 on Saturday.

“We were definitely mad we didn’t win the last game,” said Rose. “We could’ve had these days to rest and really prepare for the next team. But in the playoffs, anything can happen. They came out and played a great game.”

Rose said he hopes to finish off the Pacers at the United Center tonight. The game starts at 7:00 pm.

In Vancouver, the Blackhawks are taking on the Canucks in the final game of their best-of-seven series. After dropping the first three games, the defending Stanley Cup champions came back to win three in a row. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said his team really loosened up after losing the first three. He’s confident the team has the drive to finish it.

“We’ve been effective on the road. We got the momentum. We want to sustain it. We want to keep it,” said Quenneville after their win on Sunday. “We expect a fun building. And I think … there’s no pressure on us from Game 4 on, and we got the same approach going into Game 7.”

The action starts at 9:00 pm Central.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville says his team is devastated by its performance and is only looking to “get something positive going in our direction.”

The loss was compounded by what Quenneville said was a horrid call by the refs when Vancouver forward Raffi Torres plowed down Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook in the second period. Torres walked away with a two-minute interference call, while the Olympic gold medal defenseman had to be examined for a possible concussion.

“Brutal. Major. Absolutely,” Quenneville said angrily. “[The refs] missed it. Could’ve scored four goals on that play.”

The Blackhawks return to the ice tonight for the fourth game in the best-of-seven series.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood

Cubs pitchers Kerry Wood and Andrew Cashner highlight April 26 debut event

CHICAGO (CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM) — WGN Radio and the Chicago Cubs have teamed up to present Cubs Corner at Wildfire Chicago, a series of seven one-hour radio broadcasts hosted over lunch featuring Cubs players, coaches, legends and management with WGN Sports Night hosts David Kaplan and Brian Noonan.

The first Cubs Corner broadcast will take place Tuesday, April 26, featuring Cubs pitchers Kerry Wood and Andrew Cashner. On-site registration begins at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m. and a live broadcast from 12-1 p.m.

Each Cubs Corner broadcast will feature a question-and-answer radio format between David Kaplan, Brian Noonan and the Cubs’ featured guests. Members of the audience will have an opportunity to submit questions for the guests toward the end of each show.

Tickets to each Cubs Corner broadcast are priced at $75 per person, which includes tax and gratuity. Tickets for children 12 years of age and under may be purchased at $40. Valet parking will be available at a discounted rate of $6. Each ticket includes a lunch of signature Wildfire dishes, including dinner rolls, individual salads, an individual main course plate including filet mignon, grilled herb marinated chicken breast, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables and an individual flourless chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Vegetarian and allergy-friendly meal options are available upon request.

Dates and featured guests for additional Cubs Corner broadcasts will be posted on Cubs.com, WGNRadio.com and WildfireRestaurant.com. Wildfire Chicago is located at 159 W. Erie St. Chicago, IL 60654. For more information or to make a reservation, please call Laura Rosen or Shannon Ryan of Wildfire Restaurants in Chicago at 312-787-9000 and mention the Cubs Corner events.

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WGN Radio 720, the 2010 IBA Large Market Station of the Year, is dedicated to being the #1 source of Chicagoland news, entertainment, sports, and information.  WGN Radio is the official broadcaster of the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Blackhawks, and Northwestern University and celebrates over 85 years of broadcasting in Chicago.  Listen online or on iPhone, Droid or Blackberry – details at wgnradio.com/listen. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/wgnradio and follow us on Twitter @WGN_Radio.

After losing 4-3 against the Detroit Red Wings early on Sunday, the fate of the Blackhawks laid in the hands of the Dallas Stars. A win for the Stars would have ended the Blackhawks’ season. Instead, the Stars choked against the Minnesota Wild, sending the Blackhawks into the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said that his team’s current status is the result of a sluggish performance early in the season.

Tomorrow, the eighth-seeded Blackhawks will play the first of seven games against the conference’s top-ranked Vancouver Canucks.

Free event takes place April 12, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., in Pioneer Court to celebrate the Blackhawks’ third consecutive berth into the Stanley Cup Playoffs

CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM – Kick off the start of the Blackhawks’ postseason at the WGN Radio Blackhawks Bash on Tuesday, April 12 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Pioneer Court, directly outside of the WGN Radio Showcase Studio. The event is free and open to the public.

Festivities include:

• Appearances by Blackhawks legends Stan Mikita, Denis Savard and Bobby Hull
• Interactive games with Blackhawks prizes
• Live music from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. from Dot Dot Dot
• Appearances by Tommy Hawk, the Blackhawks Street Team, the Bud Light Ice Crew and the Blackhawks Blues Mobile

Plus, fans can hear the following guests live on WGN Radio at the times listed below:

• 11:35 a.m. – Denis Savard live in-studio with host Mike McConnell
• 12:05 p.m. – Stan Mikita live in-studio with host Mike McConnell
• 12:21 p.m. – Blackhawks radio announcer John Wiedeman calls-in live from Vancouver with host Mike McConnell
• 12:35 p.m. – Bobby Hull live in-studio with host John Williams

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WGN Radio 720, the 2010 IBA Large Market Station of the Year, is dedicated to being the #1 source of Chicagoland news, entertainment, sports, and information.  WGN Radio is the official broadcaster of the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Blackhawks, and Northwestern University and celebrates over 85 years of broadcasting in Chicago.  Listen online or on iPhone, Droid or Blackberry – details at wgnradio.com/listen. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/wgnradio and follow us on Twitter @WGN_Radio.

CHICAGO / Feb. 16, 2011 / CHICAGOPRESSRELEASE.COM –

Moreland will join play-by-play broadcaster Pat Hughes in the Cubs radio booth starting with the first spring training game on Feb. 27 in Mesa, Arizona.

Moreland, 56, spent six of his 12 major league seasons with the Cubs from 1982-87, helping the Cubs to the 1984 National League East crown.

He played third base, first base, outfield and catcher during his time in Chicago.

Moreland brings 16 years of experience as the radio color analyst of the University of Texas baseball program to the Cubs radio booth, as well as previously serving as a fill-in analyst for Cubs radio and television broadcasts.

“I’m very excited to work with a great broadcaster in Pat Hughes, a great team in the Cubs that I was lucky enough to play for and a great radio station that has the power to reach millions of Cubs fans,” said Moreland.

“I’m not a replacement for Ron Santo – he’s impossible to replace. All I can do is be me and strive to connect and build a relationship with Cubs fans everywhere.”

“The color analyst needs to not only be an outstanding broadcaster, but also have chemistry with play-by-play man Pat Hughes, have respect of the players and coaching staff, be an ambassador for WGN Radio, the Cubs and advertising partners, be involved in the community, and most importantly – embrace Cubs fans,” said Tom Langmyer, WGN Radio’s Vice President/General Manager. “Keith Moreland is absolutely the right person for this position and we’re excited to welcome him back to Chicago.”

“We’re thrilled that Keith is returning to a full-time role within the Cubs family,” said Crane Kenney, President of the Cubs.  “Keith was a popular player for six seasons with the Cubs and has maintained close ties with us since his retirement as a player with guest spots in our broadcast booths and appearances at our conventions.  Keith will display the same passion, instincts and knowledge for the game during our WGN radio broadcasts as he did on the field.”

In six seasons with the Cubs, Moreland batted .281 (912-for-3240) with 100 home runs and 491 RBI in 902 games.  He twice ranked in the top 10 in the National League in batting average, finishing seventh in 1983 (.302) and 1985) (.307) and finished fourth in the league with 106 RBI in 1985.

In addition to his time with the Cubs, Moreland won a World Championship with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980.  Overall, he spent four seasons with the Phillies (1978-81), one season with the San Diego Padres (1988) and split the 1989 season with the Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles (1989).

After retiring from baseball, Moreland returned to the University of Texas, where he played college baseball for three years, to earn his bachelor’s degree in 1991. In addition to his 16 seasons as the Longhorn’s baseball color analyst, Moreland had been the color analyst for Texas football for the past nine seasons.

At the University of Texas, Moreland was a three-time All-American and helped lead the Longhorns to three NCAA College World Series berths, including a national championship in 1975. In 2008 he was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame and the Longhorns retired his #3 jersey in 2010.=

Moreland and his wife Cindy have two adult children, Courtney, 33, and Cole, 24.

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WGN Radio 720, the 2010 IBA Large Market Station of the Year, is dedicated to being the #1 source of Chicagoland news, entertainment, sports, and information.  WGN Radio is the official broadcaster of the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Blackhawks, and Northwestern University and celebrates over 85 years of broadcasting in Chicago.

For more information or to listen online visit www.wgnradio.com

Deer hunting continues with archery and upcoming gun seasons

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 98,700 deer during the seven-day firearm deer season on Nov. 19-21 and Dec. 2-5, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced today.

A total of 99,419 deer were taken during the 2009 firearm season.

The preliminary second-season (Dec. 2-5) harvest total was 30,663, compared with the 33,293 deer taken by hunters during the second segment of the season in 2009.

This year’s preliminary first-season (Nov. 19-22) deer harvest was 68,037, compared with a first-season harvest of 66,126 in 2009.

The preliminary harvest totals include deer taken in all counties in which firearm deer hunting is permitted, as well as at Chain O’Lakes State Park in Lake County.

“Harvest results for this year’s firearm deer seasons were remarkably similar to last year,” said IDNR Forest Wildlife Program Manager Paul Shelton.  “Fifty-one counties saw increases in harvest, while 49 counties declined.  Management efforts aimed at controlling deer herds while maintaining recreational opportunities are paying off.”

Preliminary reports show that Pike County once again topped the county deer harvest totals for the firearm season as hunters took 3,130 deer.  Other top county harvest totals were Fulton (2,495), Adams (2,468), Jo Daviess (2,285) and Randolph (2,192).

Deer hunters in Illinois still have opportunities to take to the field in the coming weeks.  The archery deer season continues through Jan. 16, 2011.  The three-day Illinois muzzleloader-only deer season is this week (Dec. 10-12), while the seven-day split late-winter firearm antlerless-only deer season and special CWD deer season are Dec. 30, 2010-Jan. 2, 2011 and Jan. 14-16, 2011.

Permits for both late-winter and special CWD seasons will be available over the counter through DNR Direct license and permit agents beginning Dec. 14.

Permits for the late-winter season will be issued in two categories based on deer management needs in individual counties.  For 12 select counties with a need for significant increases in deer harvest, hunters will be able to purchase late-winter permits without limit.  In 58 other counties open for the late-winter season, hunters will be limited to purchasing one late-winter deer permit.  There are 27 counties closed for the late-winter season.

As in years past, unfilled 2010 firearm, muzzleloader, youth and landowner firearm permits will be valid for the late-winter season provided that they were issued for an open county, but only antlerless deer may be taken.

For more information, please visit http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/ResidentLateWinterAntlerlessDeerHunting.aspx.

Successful hunters should report their harvest by 10 p.m. on the same calendar day the deer was taken by calling 1-866-452-4325 (1-866-ILCHECK) or by accessing the online check-in system at www.dnr.state.il.us/vcheck.

Hunters in Boone, DeKalb, McHenry and Winnebago Counties and a portion of Kane County west of IL Rt. 47 can participate in the seven-day special CWD deer season on Dec. 30, 2010-Jan. 2, 2011 and Jan. 14-16, 2011 to help control deer densities and the spread of chronic wasting disease.  Special CWD season antlerless-only permits will be available beginning Dec. 14 over the counter for $5.50 each at participating DNR Direct license and permit vendors.

In addition, hunters with unfilled 2010 firearm, muzzleloader, youth firearm deer season or archery deer permits valid for one of the open counties may use those permits to hunt during the CWD season.

Hunters using unfilled permits from the 20010 firearm, muzzleloader, youth or archery season for the CWD hunt may take deer appropriate for that permit (antlerless-only or either-sex).  There will be no manned check stations during CWD season.

As in the late-winter season, harvest must be reported via telephone or online.  Successful hunters are encouraged to have any adult deer tested for CWD by taking it to a cooperating meat processor.

The table below includes preliminary county harvest totals for the first and second portions of the 2010 firearm deer season, the preliminary total firearm harvest for 2010 and county harvest totals for 2009.

Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher has been voted to six Pro Bowls since he joined the Bears in 2000.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Bears defensive end Julius Peppers, middle linebacker Brian Urlacher and return specialist Devin Hester are all leading their positions in Pro Bowl voting on NFL.com, the league announced Wednesday.

Peppers (244,439 votes) is ahead of the Giants’ Osi Umenyiora (181,537), Urlacher (173,960) leads the 49ers’ Patrick Willis (165,485) and Hester (155,855) is ahead of the Cowboys’ Dez Bryant (114,006).

Four other Bears are in the top five at their positions.

Olin Kreutz (107,323) is third at center behind the Giants’ Shaun O’Hara (149,394) and the Packers’ Scott Wells (127,184). Lance Briggs is third at outside linebacker, trailing the Packers’ Clay Matthews (285,063) and the Cowboys’ DeMarcus Ware (174,641).

Brad Maynard (54,073) is fourth among punters behind the Cardinals’ Ben Graham (96,561), the Vikings’ Chris Kluwe (75,080) and the Cowboys’ Mat McBriar (63,556).

Robbie Gould (61,144) is fifth among kickers, trailing the Eagles’ David Akers (131,631), the Packers’ Mason Crosby (99,075), the Falcons’ Matt Bryant (80,504) and the Vikings’ Ryan Longwell (80,504).

One Bears player who probably isn’t receiving the recognition he deserves is Corey Graham. The fourth-year pro is not among the top five vote-getters on special teams even though he leads the NFL with 16 special-teams tackles, according to press box statistics.

Fans can register their Pro Bowl votes at NFL.com through Dec. 20. Fans, coaches and players each account for one-third of the vote in determining the 43-man squads. NFL players and coaches will cast their votes Dec. 22-23, and the teams will be announced Dec. 28. The Pro Bowl will then be played Jan. 30, 2011 in Hawaii.

This highly anticipated event kicks off Saturday, December 18 and 19 at McCormick Place in Halls A & B (2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive), presented by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. Daily hours are 10a.m. to 4p.m.

Sports legend Bo Jackson is scheduled to appear at Sports Fest at 2p.m. on Saturday December 18, 2010.  Look for him at the Halftime Time stage and then quickly afterwards, Jackson will be at the football area.

He will also speak about his Give Me A Chance Foundation which helps disadvantaged youth to become involved in sports and receive a better education.  No autographs available.

Other Sports Fest activities include a 40-Yard Dash, Floor Hockey, Martial Arts Demos, Acrobatics, Footbag, Pop-a-Shot, Adult Fitness Area, Football, Skate Park, Badminton, Golf Challenge, Table Tennis, Baseball, Gymnastics, Tumbling, Tennis , Boxing, Inflatable Tumbling, Tots Zone, Climbing Walls, Field Hockey, Jump Rope, Volleyball, Dancing, Kids Golf Challenge, Wrestling, Obstacle Course, Soccer and more.

The Half-Time stage is the place to be for those who like to be entertained as well as interact with performers and make new friends.  Join the After School Matters Hip Hop Culture group, Radio Disney, and B-96.  There will be a special “Mascot Mixer” on Sunday at 2p.m.  These lovable characters, representative of many of the professional sports teams, will be at sports fest for meet and greets and to take photos, so bring your own camera!

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will host an all-ages chess tournament and there will be instructors on site for beginners. CPS will also host the action-packed Holiday Hoops Basketball boys & girls tournament as well as tennis clinics.  The basketball tournament features eight teams and the tennis zone offers mini interactive tennis clinics for kids.

Adults and children alike can visit the Fitness Area presented by the Mayor’s Fitness Council.  Certified fitness instructors will lead classes in cardio kickboxing, salsa aerobics, pilates, yoga and more!

World Sports Chicago returns with archery, badminton, fencing, team handball, rowing, judo and wrestling, just some of the expected activities that kids can try! Sports Fest 2010 marks the 2-year anniversary of the Chicago Paralympic Development Program as a partnership with USA Paralympics and over 13 other partner organizations.

Mayor Daley’s Chicago Sports Festival is presented by the City of Chicago and produced by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, McCormick Place, and the Chicago Park District.  This event is sponsored in part by Athletico,  Pepsi Cola, B-96, Brookfield Zoo, 104.3 Jack FM, Communications Direct, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, Hinckley Springs, Xfinity by Comcast and Radio Disney AM 1300 Chicago.

For great hotel rates at the Hyatt McCormick Chicago call reservations: (888) 421-1442 or visit https://resweb.passkey.com/go/chicagosportsfest2010

Chicago didn’t play their best game of the season but instead of poor play on one side of the ball dragging down the other side—usually the offense takes down the defense but in this game it was the other way around for a period of time—they ended up picking one another up and winning this game.

There were a lot of things that we can take away from this game on Sunday.

Let’s look at ten key things that we learned about the Bears during their game against the Lions.

The Bears Have a Good Running Back in Chester Taylor

There has been a lot of talk about whether or not the Bears made a mistake by signing Chester Taylor this offseason.

Those questions have been answered in the Bear’s victory over the Lions.

Taylor helped relieve his partner, Matt Forte and ran hard every chance he got—He even scored a touchdown and showed the coaching staff what they have in him.

The Bears Still Need to Blitz

Chicago didn’t get a lot of pressure from their front four to start the game so they started adding additional players to get some pass pressure on Lion’s quarterback Drew Stanton, forcing him to make mistakes.

They did get some good pressure when they did blitz and cornerback D.J. Moore had a nice sack.

The problem is, when they blitz the linebackers and cornerbacks that takes out tacklers in behind the defensive line which causes problems like we saw on Sunday.

Can they really afford to blitz?

Jay Cutler Can Cause His Own Sacks

Jay Cutler was sacked frequently on Sunday.

Some were the result of his offensive line’s inability to protect him.

However,  more than a couple were due to his inability to get rid of the ball in a timely manner.

Cutler has been making good decisions during Chicago’s five game winning streak but he had a little breakdown in his decision making on Sunday.

Hopefully this was temporary.

Earl Bennett Is a Very Reliable Receiver

This one is a no-brainer.

Cutler and Bennett had a very good relationship in college and that has carried over to the NFL where the two are connecting again on a regular basis.

Cutler must feel very comfortable with Bennett and Bennett seems to be in the right place at the right time.

This combination can help carry the offense to the playoffs.

Devin Hester Is Poised to Break a Long Return Soon

You saw the reaction that Hester had on Sunday when he failed to break get a touchdown on the long return he had in the second half of the game.

You know he wants that record bad.

Hester’s return ability is going to become an important part of things as the Bears attempt to win their final four games and get into the playoffs so look for a lot of hard running by Devin as he attempts to break the return record.

D.J. Moore Plays Bigger Than He Is

Is there anyone out there that doesn’t agree with the above statement?

Moore has been productive in several games this season with timely interceptions and pressure on the quarterback.

His sack of Stanton came at a great time for the Bears on Sunday.

Teams won’t be overlooking this guy in any of the games remaining this season and we will continue to see him making plays on defense.

The Offensive Line Needs Help

If General Manager Jerry Angelo doesn’t do something to improve this offensive line during the offseason—either through the draft or through free agency—then there will be a lot of problems for the Bears next season.

Angelo has to draft some help there and make sure that he does well with his picks since he is noted for making poor draft decisions when it comes to offensive linemen.

Peppers Continues to Play Well

Despite the fact the Bears didn’t get a lot of sacks or consistent pressure on Stanton, Sunday, defensive end Julius Peppers still managed to play well.

He was a big part of what the Bears were able to do on defense in the second half and continues to be the most important member of the Bear’s defensive line.

The Bears Have a Balanced Offense

It’s true—the Bears are using a good balance of both running and passing the ball on offense and its working wonders for their ability to win games.

The Bears have been a running team for a better part of their long and storied history but now, with a quarterback like Cutler at the helm along with some good wide receivers, they are able to pass the ball effectively as well.

With their mix on offense, they will continue to play well and win.

Good As Gould

With a career long 54-yard field goal in this game, it appears as if kicker Robbie Gould has come out of the mini-slump he had earlier in the season.

His kicking ability is going to be important as the weather gets colder and the games get tighter so hopefully he can continue to be reliable.

Cubs legend Ron Santo died Thursday night from complications from bladder cancer.

Chicago Cubs great and longtime WGN Radio announcer Ron Santo died Thursday night of complications from bladder cancer. He was 70.

In a statement Friday, Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts praised Santo for “his passion, his loyalty, high great personal courage and his tremendous sense of humor.”

WGN reports that Santo died in an Arizona hospital from complications of bladder cancer.

Santo was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 18 and later lost both legs to  diabetes.

Santo was a nine-time all-star in his 15-year career. The third baseman was widely regarded as one of the best players never to gain induction into the Hall of Fame.

He ended his career with 342 home runs, more than 1,300 RBIs and a .277 batting average.

Ricketts says that Santo will always be “the heart and soul of Cubs fans” and the team plans to celebrate his contributions in the days ahead.

Originally reported by Chicago Public Radio. Read the original article here.

He was 70.

“Ronnie will forever be the heart and soul of Cubs fans,” Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement Friday.

He praised Santo for “his passion, his loyalty, high great personal courage and his tremendous sense of humor.”

Santo died in an Arizona hospital from complications of bladder cancer, according to WGN Radio.

Santo was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 18 and later lost both legs to the disease.

A nine-time all-star in his 15-year career, Santo was widely regarded as one of the best players never to gain induction into the Hall of Fame.

The quiet sadness with which he met the news year after year that he hadn’t been inducted helped cement his relationship with the fans.

But nothing brought fans closer to Santo – or caused critics to roll their eyes more – than his work in the radio booth, where he made it clear that nobody rooted harder for the Cubs and nobody took it harder when they lost.

Santo’s groans of “Oh, nooo!” and “It’s bad” when something bad happened to the Cubs, sometimes just minutes after he shouting, “YES! YES!” or “ALL RIGHT!” became part of team lore as the “Cubbies” came up short year after year.

“The emotion for me is strictly the love I have for this team,” Santo told The Associated Press in August 2009. “I want them to win so bad.”

Santo played for the Cubs from 1960-73 and wrapped up his career with the White Sox in 1974. He joined the Cubs’ radio team in 1990.

Santo battled a myriad of serious medical problems after he retired as a player, having undergone surgery on his eyes, heart and bladder after doctors discovered cancer.

On his legs alone, he underwent surgery more than a dozen times before they were ultimately amputated below the knees – the right one in 2001 and the left a year later.

Born Ronald Edward Santo in Seattle on Feb. 25, 1940, Santo was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when he was 18. But he kept it from the team until he made his first All-Star game in 1963, and fans didn’t know about his diabetes for years after that.

Even though the Cubs failed to make the World Series in his lifetime, Santo once said his association with the team probably prolonged his life.

“If I hadn’t had this when my troubles started, I don’t know if I would have survived,” he said in September 2003. “I really mean that. It’s therapy.”

Santo was a fan favorite on a team that included Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Ferguson Jenkins. Many taverns near Wrigley Field include photos of Santo, including one in which he famously clicked his heels as he ran off the field.

By all accounts it was a tremendous career. In his 14 years with the Cubs and his final season across town with the White Sox, the third baseman hit .277 with, 2,254 hits, 342 home runs and 1,331 runs batted in. He also was named to the All-Star team nine times won the Gold Glove award five times.

He hit .300 or better four times, had the best on-base percentage in the league in 1964 and 1966 and led the league in walks four times.

But the team routinely finished at or near the bottom of the standings.

One of the few times the Cubs didn’t was in 1969, when they finished second after leading the New York Mets by nine games as late as Aug. 16.

That year, a photograph was taken of Santo that became synonymous with both the team’s failure and the supposed curses that have long haunted the team: There, in the on-deck circle at Shea Stadium, is Santo, a bat on his shoulder as a black cat scurries past.

Santo’s disappointment with being passed over for induction into the Hall of Fame was well known to viewers, who watched him receive the news on the phone in 2003 thanks to television cameras he allowed inside his house when he thought he would be getting in.

In 2003, he was honored by the Cubs, who retired his No. 10, hoisting it up the left-field foul pole, just below Banks’ No. 14.

“This flag hanging down the left-field line means more to me than the Hall of Fame,” Santo told the cheering crowd at Wrigley Field when his number was retired.

“This couldn’t be any better,” he said. “With the adversity that I have been through if it wasn’t for all of you, I wouldn’t be standing here right now.”

Santo had been active in fundraising for diabetes research, with his Walk-for-the-Cure raising millions of dollars.

Originally reported by Huffington Post Chicago. Read the original story here.

Dressed in a shirt and tie and armed with a microphone, Joey interviewed several Chicago Blackhawks players before Thanksgiving.

Among other things, Joey wanted to know who the biggest turkey on the team was, and how much money Duncan Keith has received from the tooth fairy.

Joey is already getting rave reviews from fellow sports reporters. From Yahoo Sports’ “Puck Daddy” blog:

The kid knows his roster numbers, isn’t afraid to confront his subjects and speaks better than 95 percent of what you’ll hear on Puck Daddy Radio during the week.

WATCH Joey in action here:

Originally reported by Huffington Post Chicago. Read the original story here.