CUBMAGEDDON!

CUB-MAGEDDON!! After just one year as the general manager, Jed Hoyer said "enough of this crap" and proceeded to castrate, eviscerate and thoroughly gut this group of overpaid and underperforming has-beens and use-to-bees and shipped them out to various points in the country where they immediately became someone else's problem. 

The frowns & tears around Wrigley are eerily similar to the night of the Bartman game.  😥😥😢😢😖😟😟😵😵😡 (which delighted me to no end because I was there for that one) Nephew Mark has yet to recover from that beautiful night.

I remember 2016 when they openly declared a "dynasty" and then continually failed to get back to the big dance despite having a super payroll and playing in front of a full house almost every day. Now let's see how the season ticket holders react when it's time to renew in 2022 and the invoice shows major league prices for this minor league roster. I suspect the boot lickers will believe the fortune tellers and return in droves but such is life on the north side.

I do wish Anthony Rizzo the best  because he is a class act both on and off the field and the only race he's going to eventually lose is to Father Time BUT he did start his Yankee career off with a bang last night with a homer, two hits and the game winning rbi. Good for him!

                                             *******

Now on the south side, fans are dancing in the street with the addition of ace reliever Craig Kimbrel, who was the leading relief pitcher in the National League and has been to the post season and has a ring so when you add Cesar Hernandez to fill the hole at second, the White Sox are suddenly right next to the Astros in Las Vegas betting parlors to win the World Series. Tough to do but we'll see.

The only downer was the addition of a second cub, Ryan Tepera, also from the north side and that violates the toxicity rule about having too many cubs on your team.

It's easy to pitch for a garbage team because there's hardly any pressure but when tossed into the pressure cooker last night, he gave up a homer, single and a walk before departing to a chorus of boos from Sox fans.....and rightfully so. He better straighten his act out quickly or he'll be moved rapidly to another bad team....where he might be more comfortable.

Eloi is back, Luis Robert will be here in two weeks and Yasmani is recovering.If the Sox have the lead after six innings, you have to face KOPECH, KIMBREL & HENDRICKS, not necessarily in that order.

Looking good, amigos!

                                           *******

The Olympics?  no. I hate the 14 hour time difference and you can't help but hear the results during the day which ruins your prime time viewing and it's not going to get any better.

 The 2022 winter games are scheduled for China and a 13 hour difference and the 2024 summer festival is in Paris with a 7 hour time difference so the prime time events will happen at 2:00 p.m. our time.  PASS.

                                          *******

And now it's time for football!!!! GO BEARS. Because we have the stupidest offensive coach in the league, my 2021 prediction is 7-10. Book it!

ENJOY THE WEATHER FOR THE NEXT WEEK AND OPEN THOSE WINDOWS!

SHOT OR NO SHOT?

 Ok, let's cut right to the chase on the vaccines. It is ABSOLUTELY your right not to get vaccinated BUT it is also the right of every employer to set standards for the health and welfare of the company. Two quick examples:

The National Football League set a rule that all administrative personnel must be vaccinated and offensive line coach COLE POPOVICH walked away from his $175,000 salary rather than get the shots. Now I personally think he's an idiot BUT it's his right to do so. Enjoy bagging groceries.

Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge posted a notice in early spring that everyone had to be vaccinated by July 1. Nurse Gretchen Walkup refused and filed suit upon her termination, saying the hospital violated her rights but her lawsuit was quickly dismissed, with the judge stating EXACTLY what I said at the top. "Rules are rules and every workplace has them. If you don't abide by them, termination is the only recourse for the employer."  Perfectly stated.

We all know this is, for the most part, a political disagreement but after a little homework,  it's a matter of public record that Republicans Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, Sean Hannity, Rick DeSantis, Marco Rubio, Mike Pence, and everyone's favorite parasite, Lindsey Graham HAVE ALL BEEN VACCINATED. Why would they bother if "there's nothing to this" and "it's been way overblown" and constantly fight bills that provide co-vid relief?

Easy answer. They don't want to die. They can shoot their mouths off as much as they want but they've seen the tragedy in their districts and states and once they saw the reality, it was time to cover their own asses health wise. Hypocrites.

                                                             *******

And back to the NFL for a moment.........the Commissioner has clearly stated that unlike last season, games will not be re-scheduled if a team has a co-vid breakout but instead, they will simply forfeit the game. He had no choice with this edict because four teams have less than 50% vaccinated. Read the following restrictions for unvaccinated players:

"Unvaccinated players must continue to get daily testing, wear masks and practice physical distancing. They won't be able to eat with teammates, can’t participate in media or marketing activities while traveling, aren’t permitted to use the sauna or steam room and  may not leave the team hotel or interact with people not associated with the team while traveling. Vaccinated players will not have any of those restrictions."

Being involved in athletics my entire life, I can tell you that this pot will begin to boil sooner rather than later. Guys breaking protocols will be suspended (and you know that will happen) and then a team will lose a key game, after which the finger pointing will start. I hope eventually the Commissioner orders the same protocol for the players that he did for the coaches. You don't like our rules, see you later. Seems pretty simple to me. I wonder how many players would get the shot after missing their first paycheck. As Red used to say on the 70's show......"DUMB ASS!"

                                                           *******

And speaking of dumb asses, more heads continue to roll in court rooms across the nation for both the rioting in Chicago and Minneapolis and the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th and even more people are being arrested for that disgrace as they are ID'd by their media postings. CRIMINAL MASTERMINDS: commit a federal offense or two or three and then post your videos on-line. The FBI appreciates your stupidity and here are some of the results after 500 arrests:

3 years probation and pay for a new Chicago squad car. $58,000.

1 year federal lockup. Defendant cried and ask the judge for mercy because he had just started a landscaping company. Judge says sorry.

Plea bargain for 3 years federal prison if he rats out 8 other Capitol rioters.

An older woman gets three years probation and can never again enter a government building or property, including national parks.

A guy with no criminal record gets 8 months federal lockup after pleading guilty to breaking into the rotunda and waving a trump flag.

I think you get the picture and I think it's very interesting that ten other arrestees have agreed to plead guilty and testify against other trump supporters who also rioted at the same time.

(P.S.  Every person charged has admitted to being an avid trump supporter)

A good one is coming on August 10th when a moron who rioted in both Chicago & Minneapolis is due to be sentenced in federal court.. He has a lengthy criminal history and I think looking at some serious time. Wait until you meet 28 year old MATTHEW LEE RUPERT of Galesburg, Il. 

who faces a litany of charges including DISTRIBUTION OF DESTRUCTIVE DEVICES. That baby alone gets you twenty years. When you look at his mug shot, it just screams JERK FACE.

                                                  *******

Enjoy the upcoming weekend as the weather cools down.

JUST A BUNCH OF SPORTS STUFF

 I filed a theft report with the Chicago Police Department over the weekend because I noticed that the 'W' was missing from the flag at Wrigley field but it turned out that it had just simply been replaced by a white flag of surrender.

 TEN LOSSES IN A ROW!  BACK UP THE TRUCK!! The fire sale starts soon!

                                                              *******

The north side sewer rats are disappearing more and more each day but even they had to cringe when the National League All-Stars were announced last week and both KYLE SCHWARBER & YU DARVISH were front and center. Who needs them??

FUN FACT: The two players named to the team from the Cubs probably won't be here next month.

                                                             *******

Thank the Lord that the White Sox are playing in a division where two of the better teams decided to dump salary over the winter. Injuries have crushed the Sox but they still lead the race by 6 games.

                                                             *******

Here's two really bad contracts for you: 

MIGUEL CABRERA, who can barely walk after numerous foot and ankle surgeries, is still owed 30 million a year for the next 4 years from the Detroit Tigers.

And number two is JOSH DONALDSON of the Minnesota Twins, one of the most unlikeable players in MLB, as evidenced by 4 teams in 4 years. A loud-mouthed pain in the ass has spent a lot of time on the injured list since 2017 but he hits long home runs in return for 20 million a year. The Twins would like to trade him but three more years = sixty million and who wants that contract from a 36 yr. old player?

                                                          *******

Whodathunkit??? PHOENIX vs MILWAUKEE in the NBA Finals. Suns are a heavy favorite and rightfully so.

                                                            *******

TAMPA BAY should be hoisting their second consecutive STANLEY CUP this week. That team is really good.

                                                           *******

AARON RODGERS is sounding weirder every day. I won't bore you with the interview but just read it on some media outlet.

                                                              *******

TREVOR LAWRENCE, the #1 pick in this year's draft, signed a 4 year deal with the JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS and the quarterback gets 3 million a year PLUS a 24 million dollar signing bonus. yowsa.

                                                              *******

Ok, we're done for now. Stay cool.

 

CARNAGE!

So you thought I was just stirring the pot when I sent you the NO NO NO blog on the last day of June??? I want you to take 2 minutes and read what's happened in the jungle since that day.

Man shoots and kills neighbor in Englewood over loud music.

Drive-by in Chatham. one dead.

Man driving on Cermak shot in the head and dies.

9 year old girl shot in the leg sitting on church steps in Austin.

ONE MONTH old girl shot when shooters sprayed a crowd on Halsted.

ANOTHER 9 yr. old shot in Grand Crossing at 3 in the afternoon while riding with her dad. Little girl is critical with head wound.

22 yr. old shot in the neck and dies while riding the Green Line. He was the president of his fraternity at University of Chicago.

2 police officers shot and wounded in Austin.

99 FREAKING PEOPLE SHOT OVER THE WEEKEND WHICH BRINGS THE HALF-YEAR TOTAL TO JUST OVER 2,000.

NO! NO! NO!

DON'T BECOME A STATISTIC. There's plenty of summer fun to be had 

in Lake , Mchenry & Du Page counties.

*******

The programs in the city are not going to cure the violence, no matter what Mayor Lori Lightfoot says. These people are uneducated animals who live by the sword and die the same way plus they put no value on human life. They make a hundred a day moving drugs on the corner for the big dealer so making $12 an hour at Wal-mart doesn't interest them. And that's the world in which they live. Kill or be killed.

                                                                  *******

I wonder why I haven't heard too much talk recently in Chicago about defunding the police? Is realization starting to set in?

                                                               *******

This is sickening

END OF JUNE THOUGHTS

WELCOME BACK JONATHAN TOEWS!! After a long year of recovering from an immune system virus, "Captain Serious" is ready to play hockey again for the Blackhawks. Good stuff!

                                                             *******

Someone please explain this to me. As much as I love the White Sox, how can YASMANI GRANDAL, a guy hitting .175, be a finalist for the all-star team? Yoan Moncada is ok because he's a fine third baseman and hits around .300 but Jose Abreu is only hitting .240 and doesn't deserve to be on the team either.

On the other side of town, Kris Bryant & Anthony Rizzo deserve a reserve nod but Javy Baez at .226 ???? Absolutely not.   And the same answer applies to super hot dog Willson Contreras at .229. How about spending the break in a batting cage?

                                                              *******

And speaking of the Cubs................

As the 2021 sun begins to set at Addison & Clark and they prove over & over that they can't play with the big boys, you can hear an audible sigh of relief from the Cubs front office because now they can continue their housecleaning that began last winter.

Who needs KYLE SCHWARBER & YU DARVISH? 

Let's review the current situation: 

**** indicates free agent at the end of the year and if you don't trade him by July 31, you run the risk of having him walk away and sign with another team and then you only get a draft choice in return.

****Early in the season when KRIS BRYANT, 29, (currently 19 million per year) was hitting .325 and the cubs were in first place, the front office was screwed because they didn't dare trade him but the oft-injured Bryant batted .114 for the month of June and is currently hitting .261 and sitting out their biggest series of the year with a 'sore side.' He's had some great years but all good things come to an end. Trade him now.

****Flash in the pan JAVY BAEZ, 28, (11 per year) almost caught Bryant in the ineptitude contest by stroking .150 during the month of June and for the year, has struck out at an alarming rate of almost 40%! A wizard with the glove, he has rejected all coaching regarding learning the strike zone and like many Caribbean players, he is all about swinging for the fences and hitting a home run. This experiment should also be over. Trade him.

****ANTHONY RIZZO, 31, (16 million) has also fallen into the abyss known as the Cubs offense and after a .229 June, sits at .246 for the year and might be beginning to lose the race to father time. Another defensive wizard, his likeability and baseball smarts will keep him on the north side for another 5 years.

WILLSON CONTRERAS, 29, is another north side dumpster fire who is sitting at .229 for the year and has one year left BUT he only makes 6 million a year which fits perfectly into the budget of TOM RICKETTS so if he doesn't get greedy at contract time next year, he should also be a cub for a long time.

CRAIG KIMBRELL, 33, is one of the better relievers in baseball but he already makes 16 million so when his contract runs out next year, his asking price will be 20+ for three more years and there is NO WAY the cubs pay that. So with the way team will look in two years, it's like hiring a maitre d for Burger King. You just won't need him. Trade him now for maximum return.

                                                 *******

Do you think JOSH DONALDSON of the Twins is asking for trouble when he hits a homer and yells out "No more sticky stuff" as he crosses home plate? He did it earlier against the Yankees and then again last night against the White Sox. Tony LaRussa might be senile but he's still old school. Do I hear chin music in Donaldson's very near future.

                                                     *******

Hooray for the court system for finally allowing college athletes the right to profit from their own images, such as autographs, jerseys, bobbleheads. personal appearances, etc. This decision was wayyyyyyyyy overdue. Make a buck while you can.

                                                          *******

Professional soccer in Chicago, simply put, sucks. A terrible product for numerous years and getting worse. The men's team is terrible and the women non-competitive.

                                                            *******

Think one player can make a difference in basketball? CANDACE PARKER returns home to play with the Sky and they win the first two before Parker misses the next 7 due to injury, all losses. Then Parker returns and they win 7 in a row. Discuss.......

                                                          *******

The Bulls go belly up in the lotto drawing and now don't have a first round choice. Maybe Candace Parker is available?

                                                            *******

THAT'S IT FOR NOW. HAVE A SAFE & FUN HOLIDAY WEEKEND!!!

For you locals, Mchenry has moved their fireworks show at Peterson Park to Saturday, July 11th in conjunction with Fiesta Days. 

Fireworks PROMPTLY at 9:30.

 Ten bucks a car and plenty of parking and every parking spot has an excellent view of the show. Don't get spooked by the tall trees! Get there early and tailgate in the field but no grills.   Enjoy! .

PARENTAL ADVICE

NO, NO NO!   Is that direct enough? That's the answer you should be practicing for when your kid asks you if he or she can go to any establishment or event in the inner city of Chicago. Now, all kids are basically idiots who think they're invulnerable to wrong doing and bad things happening ( "Oh mom, nothings going to happen") but the cesspool known as Chicago and THE JUNGLE will send them to the emergency room or the morgue in a split second.

So until they straighten things out in the jungle......NO, NO, NO to  Grant Park, The Bean, White Sox Park, all the museums and like facilities, Navy Pier, Lollapalooza, street festivals and any other activity south of Wrigley Field. 

Yes, I said it. I think you're ok going for a DAYTIME ball game at Wrigley but then IMMEDIATELY head back home because armed robberies are up after dark in the Lakeview neighborhood.

 It's a shame it has to be this way but HOMICIDES in the jungle are up 10% over last year when the final total was 777 and that's why it's absolutely insane to let your child go to the jungle. As a matter of fact, YOU should also avoid the jungle because bullets don't discriminate.

And when the kids say, "oh, it's not that bad", make this simple challenge to them. If they can pick up a current sun-times or tribune any day during the summer and not find a Chicago homicide, then they can go. Trust me, you're safe on this one.

CAR JACKINGS.......4 P.M. FATAL STABBINGS IN THE LOOP.....ROAD RAGE......SNATCH AND GRAB THEFTS........RANDOM SHOOTINGS THAT CLAIM INNOCENT BYSTANDERS......UBER DRIVERS KILLED...do you need more? Keep your kids around the neighborhood. The movies, bowling alleys, arcades, shopping centers and many other places have re-opened. Avoid the city. Please.

                                                               *******

The other shoe fell today for DEREK CHAUVIN when he was sentenced to 22..5

 years for the murder of GEORGE FLOYD. Chauvin will be eligible for parole in 15 years when he is 60 years old. Chauvin also is facing the possibility of federal civil rights violations but with the severity of the sentence in Minnesota, those charges may never come to trial. I said it before but this is a righteous charge and the sentence seems fair to me.

                                                            *******

Doddering attorney RUDY GIULIANI was suspended by the New York Appellate Division for repeatedly stating mistruths about the presidential election and making false claims that Pennsylvania allowed 30,000 dead people to vote, when in fact, there were none substantiated. The court issued a scathing 33 page document citing numerous violations and also stating that lawyers "can't intentionally and repeatedly make false and misleading statements which jeopardize the public trust." Giuliani has 60 days to appeal.

In a related story, Giuliani is being sued for 1.3 billion dollars for defamation by Dominion Voting Systems  who Giuliani accused of 'rigging the ballots' and also stating they had been thrown out of many countries for screwing up their elections. Wrong again Rudy. 

Dominion has an impeccable record in every country in which they handled the ballots without ONE verified complaint. Giuliani failed to show up for a hearing regarding the suit after being suspended.

                                                                 *******

You don't get everything you want. Leave LAKE SHORE DRIVE....LAKE SHORE DRIVE. Find another street for Mr. DuSable.

                                                                  *******

Anytime you think you have things under control, check out what MOTHER NATURE did at 11:03 p.m. Sunday night in five different southwest suburbs. In just under 30 seconds, almost 500 homes were damaged by the tornado and unfortunately, one fatality occurred when a woman 7 months pregnant was injured by a falling tree which caused the loss of her unborn child. 

 An incredible amount of damage and about 40 people injured which is a very small amount but if it had happened six hours earlier when people were still out and about enjoying the weekend, the loss of human life would have been catastrophic.  Take a breath and count your blessings. Things are just that.....things...... and you can replace most of them but life? not so much.

                                                               *******

Chicago Mayor LORI LIGHTFOOT is rapidly losing strength among her constituents as her bullying tactics have soured former supporters and her lack of regard for ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER have shocked long time members of the city council. "You can't do whatever you want and ignore the rules. We have those rules for a reason," said 20th ward alderman Jeanette Taylor. Lightfoot called a meeting 'over' and dashed from the podium to confront Taylor who had voted against the mayor on a certain hire. More to come, I'm sure.

                                                        *******

500 Chicago police officers have announced their retirement and FOP president John Catanzara said, "This is just the beginning. It might get to a thousand by the end of the year because the guys on the street have lost faith in the Mayor. And how does she react to the retirements? She blames the department for not doing a better job of recruitment. She doesn't have a clue as to what goes on."

The average class size at the police academy appears to be around 75 and it takes 6 months to complete so 2 classes a year means 150 rookie officers, all on probation for another year. HOW DOES THE CITY CATCH UP?

                                                            *******

Finally, some late breaking news .....the trump organization will have criminal charges filed against it next week in New York. Defending trump will be Rudy Giu.........oh, scratch that. 😁😁

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

SPORTS GIBBERISH

To date, we've played the same amount of games that we played all last year and there are a few surprises in MLB. The American League sees the MINNESOTA TWINS and the NEW YORK YANKEES both headed in the wrong direction regarding the post season but the BOSTON RED SOX have risen from the dead and are just a game out of first. But Yankee haters shouldn't start celebrating yet because like many teams, the bombers have been torn apart by injuries.

The National League east has flip-flopped from last year with the METS & PHILLIES at the top with the BRAVES and WASHINGTON bobbing in the water. The other two divisions feature the usual suspects but SAN FRANCISCO is the feel good story so far out west but I think they will fade into the sunset. 

                                                              *******

The CUBS are the real surprise, playing like they have a real good team but that all ends next month when they have to decide about ANTHONY RIZZO, BAEZ and KRIS BRYANT.  Do you trade them or risk having them walk away for nothing at the end of the season? Bryant, by far, is the best player on that team but I don't see any way that he doesn't move west in free agency so the Cubs have to trade him. I picked the Cubs to finish 4th and I'm going to stick with it.

Baez is the second best shortstop......in Chicago...........and probably ranks 8th or 9th overall in MLB and #1 in mustard. He is a great defensive player but do you want HIM at the plate in the 9th inning of game seven? If Bryant walks away, then Javy has bargaining chips. If they make a trade, the Cubs will get a basket full of players/prospects and Baez' position is weakened. I still think Bryant would look nice in Dodger Blue. Third baseman Justin Turner is 36 and coming to the end. Just sayin'.

Rizzo is an all around great human being and a gold glover. It would be a public relations nightmare if the Cubs don't re-sign him.

                                                   *******

I just heard that pitchers in MLB are cheating! NO WAY! MLB finally decided that fans don't like 15 strikeouts a game and have made the move to eliminate substances that make the baseball move like a whiffle ball. 

They are also experimenting in the minors with larger bases, moving the mound back (both good ideas) and making the pitcher step off the rubber before trying a pickoff. I don't understand that one but so be it. I think the 10th inning runner is good because it saves the bullpen even if TONY LaRUSSA doesn't understand the rule. I also like the 7 inning doubleheader rule and I thing the DH will be universal soon. PLAY ON!!!

                                                   *******

Like many teams, The WHITE SOX are battling the injury bug but still remain in first place. Losing their starting outfield from last year to injuries cost them 70 home runs and 210 rbi and they can't seem to catch a break. JIMENEZ, ROBERT, MADRIGAL, KOPECH, and ADAM ENGEL have all missed substantial time and the first three are probably done for the year. TIM ANDERSON also fought a hammy and ABREU is fighting a bad ankle and finger. Imagine this team at full strength.

                                                              *******

Exactly how do you miss touching home plate after hitting a homer? YOU DON'T! But the umpire ruled that minor leaguer BOBBY WITT JR. missed the dish and with no review in the minors, the call stands even though tv replay clearly shows him touching the plate.

                                                                 *******

FOOTBALL is back!   MITCH TRUBISKY looks "great" in summer practice in Buffalo. Sound familiar?

                                                               

The new guessing game in town.......In what regular season game does JUSTIN FIELDS get his first start?

I know everyone is very excited about the 2021 Bears team but please remember that village idiot MATT NAGY is still the coach.

                                                                

Speaking of injuries, former Bear KYLE LONG suffered a new knee injury while practicing with the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS. Long is another good guy but beset with injuries throughout his career, playing less than 50% of his games in Chicago.

                                                         

The GREEN BAY PACKERS just signed their FIFTH quarterback to the roster. I'm thinking that they're thinking that AARON RODGERS thinks he's playing somewhere else this year. I think. What a shame.

                                                              *******

Enough for now. Stay cool!