CHICAGO SPORTS THOUGHTS 5/10/10

blackhawks making you nervous? yeah, me too.

bigggest disappointment so far in baseball? without a doubt, the white sox. touted by many (including me) as world beaters this year, they have been stuck in reverse since day 1 and minnesota continues to pull away from them. eight games out of first and counting with 4 regulars still batting around .200........ throw in the struggles of mark buerhle, gavin floyd and bobby jenks and you have the makings of a typical north side summer on 35th street.

the cubs? business as usual. stuck with three incredibly bad 'no trade' contracts, they are mired in mediocrity for at least three more years as the team grows older. aramis ramirez and derrek lee are hitting like they belong on the south side and the cub bullpen is non-existent. the cubs just finished the 'soft' spot of their schedule at 14-18 and are already 6 games out. new owner tom ricketts hates being called 'lovable losers'......get used to it. but the fans are drooling over starlin castro, who was finally promoted by boo-oo lou last week. castro should have been the SS from opening day (see earlier blog). a couple words of caution to cub fans about celebrating starlin castro too early: jerome walton.

and the chicago bulls? wow. injuries doomed any chance of being successful during the regular season but vinnie actually did a pretty good job with all the adversity, including dropping the gloves with GM john 'tie grabber' paxson. but firing vinnie was the right move (as firing the tie grabber would also be) because the bulls are going to land a stud in free agency and an experienced coach is needed to guide the bulls upward. this move is no different than when the bulls fired doug collins and replaced him with phil jackson or the hawks releasing denis savard for joel quenville. sometimes, ya gotta make a move.

the chicago fire? no clue. i still don't get it. later.