Saturday, November 14, 2026
EDGE is live. Chicago fans can now access and explore the beta.
Home Blog Page 3060

Cubs Get Unexpected Bulletin Board Material

By
Aldo Soto
-

I bet there were plenty of Chicago Cubs fans rooting for the Houston Astros in the 2017 World Series, but we can cut that shit out right now. Houston pitcher Dallas Keuchel was asked about a possible World Series hangover, like the Cubs had last year and he had some fighting words, at least that’s how I’m taking them.

Via the Washington Post.

Just ask the Cubs — who won the World Series in 2016 with a young core, brought back essentially the same team in 2017, but won 11 fewer games and bowed out of the playoffs in the National League Championship Series.

“We’re not the Cubs,” Keuchel fired back when presented with that example. “I firmly believe we have better players.”

Let’s fucking go! Give me the Houston Astros right damn now.

I was in the camp that didn’t believe in a World Series hangover and yes that’s just being too arrogant as a fan, but it’s pretty obvious now that it happened with the Cubs in 2017, and basically every team since the late 90s Yankees. And I get it, Keuchel can’t just go out there and say to the media, “yeah, we’re going to suck in the first half,” so it’s fine that he feels confident in his team. But thanks for providing some bulletin board material for the Cubs.

The 2016 World Series team was almost the same to the 2017 team that was below .500 at the all-star break. From last year, the biggest changes have been two new starters, Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood, and two new relievers, Brandon Morrow and Steve Cishek. The rest of the roster is almost identical, with Ian Happ really the only new position player from the 2016 team.

Considering no team has gone back to the World Series after winning it since the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009, these words are most likely going to bite Keuchel on the ass. It simply does not matter how good of a team you have, or how much better it gets. The World Series hangover is real and the Astros are about to find out.

By the way, there’s no surprise this shot was taken at the Cubs, as the Astros traded for Gerrit Cole in the offseason. Cole, as you remember, lost his soul in the 2015 Wild Card Game, when Kyle Schwarber ripped it from his body and dumped it in the Allegheny River. Anyway, in 2016, when the Cubs were destroying teams left and right, Cole said the following.

Via NBC Sports.

When a reporter posed the question that Cole just shut down the best team in baseball, the Pirates pitcher politely corrected the statement:

“It’s just an opportunity to salvage the series,” Cole said. “I don’t really think they’re the best team in baseball.”

Must be feeding the bitterness toward the Cubs to the rest of the Astros.

I Went To My First Cubs Spring Training Game Of 2018 And Witnessed A Murder

By
Aldo Soto
-

I haven’t been to many spring training ballparks in Arizona and of course Sloan Park is beautiful, but my few times at Goodyear Ballpark have been awesome. Two years in a row Kyle Schwarber has hit a home run at the spring training home of the Reds and Indians, but on Wednesday night I witnessed a murder.

First of all, lesson learned, don’t try to get to a game that starts at 6:05 p.m. by leaving at 5 p.m. when it’ll take 45 minutes to get to Goodyear and then another 30 minutes to get to a goddamn parking spot that’s 15 minutes away from the ballpark. Hand up, that’s on me. Anyway, the first thing I saw Wednesday night was Yan Gomes hit a grand slam. Indians fans celebrated like it was a walk-off in Game 7 of the World Series. Sorry, maybe you’ll get it the job done eventually and not lose in heartbreaking fashion. 

It didn’t matter though. I was enjoying my frosty cold XX (they didn’t have Pacifico, you should really drink Pacifico if you never have before) and while ordering a burger, surprisingly good, Albert Almora Jr. absolutely murdered a baseball, as I was standing on the concourse 100 feet behind him. I’m bad with distances, so I’ll estimate that the home run went no less than 600 feet into the desert air.

Yeah, I know you saw it WGN, but seeing it and listening to the sound of the bat was exhilarating. That poor ball was killed instantly.

Ugh, that sound!

I didn’t think that ball was ever going to land.

It’s been an interesting start to spring training for the Cubs. Not many roster questions if any, but Almora and Ian Happ are making fans take a deeper look at the outfield situation. Yeah, we know Jason Heyward is a gold glove right fielder, but if he continues to struggle offensively, and Almora and Happ prosper at the plate, Joe Maddon has to go with his best starting nine, right?

Maybe it won’t matter because the Cubs are deep and it’s not like they need Heyward to become an all-star hitter. However, if, like the first half of 2017, the offense is inconsistent and Heyward is part of the problem, then more of Almora and Happ might be seen.

Oh, and if you’re wondering about Kyle Schwarber, he’s doing just fine.

Will Pecking Order Be Necessary With Bulls Young Studs?

By
Patrick Mooney
-
zach lavine

During last night’s Bulls victory over the league-worst Memphis Grizzlies, NBC Sports Chicago’s Vincent Goodwill joined Stacey King in the booth during the second half. Their main topic of conversation piqued my interest, and it just might pique yours too.

Goodwill published a piece on Tuesday suggesting that as this Bulls team enters the competitive ranks of the NBA, that a pecking order of importance needs to be established between Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and Lauri Markkanen. Before you go and write off the piece as nothing but a mid-season lull article meant to ruffle feathers, Goodwill pulled some quotes from LaVine Monday night about the subject.

“It’s gonna be a tug of war, a tug and pull between somebody,” LaVine said to NBCSportsChicago.com Monday night. “That’s for us to figure out. It’s either with somebody’s play or mentality-wise; we have to be better with that.”

Huh. So this is something that’s already on his mind?

LaVine wants to take the reins.

“Can’t be friends with everybody,” LaVine said. “That’s just the way it is sometimes.”He says he’s ready.”If you put anybody in that right mindset they can turn into that dude,” LaVine said.

“Can’t be friends with everybody”.

I linked to the article earlier so that the quotes I pulled wouldn’t be pulled out of context, but the gist I get from LaVine’s quote is that the establishment of roles, specifically who will be the #1 guy, is already on his and his teammate’s minds.

After last night’s win against Memphis, a win in which all three players scored 21 or 22 points, Kris Dunn had this to say:

Markkanen hasn’t spoken up yet on what he perceives his future role to be, but both King and Goodwill said that they believe he will be the #1 guy of this group, and I have a hard time disagreeing.

There has been no problem finding shots for the three of them this season, all of them average between a 12.8 and 15 FGA a game. LaVine’s usage rate is nearly 8% higher than Markkanen’s, though, that will likely change in the future.

In the next couple of seasons, when the Bulls become more competitive and winning takes precedence over player development, will a 1-2-3 be necessary for this Bulls core? History tells us, yes, and the present tells us that they already know that.

Matt Davidson Thanks Fans For #MattyDDay

By
Matt Zawaski
-

As the self-proclaimed President and CEO of the Matt Davidson fan club this has me pretty fired up. Hell all of #MattyDDay had me ready to run through a freakin wall.

This White Sox team is shaping up to be something special and I… cannot …. wait!!! Opening Day is so close I can already smell the stale Miller Lites and burnt BBQ.

Bulls Young Guns Put On A First Half Clinic

By
Patrick Mooney
-

For the second time in three games, the Bulls are hosting a tanking western conference foe. For the second time in three games, it appears as if the Bulls will be walking away victorious.

The Memphis Grizzlies entered tonight’s game on a 14 game losing streak and a record of 18-45, the worst in the league. The fans might want a loss, but this young bunch has pride and they’re making some pretty plays.

First we had a Kris Dunn behind the back pass to Lauri Markkanen for a dunk.

Then they connected again.

And again.

Markkanen doesn’t need Dunn to feed him dunks, he can Finnish on his own. Get it? Yeah you get it.

Dunn can score a bit, too.

And Zach LaVine was sure to get in on the fun as well.

The best wins during the season of #tank are wins that feature a heavy dose of Dunn-Markkanen-LaVine. The trio has combined for 29 of the Bulls 64 point half on 11-20 shooting, while adding seven assists to just three turnovers. If the Bulls hold on to this lead, hopefully the trio can add to tonight’s highlight reel

New Cubs Coach Shares Perspective On Kyle Schwarber That Will Get Fans Fired Up

By
Gus
-
Kyle-Schwarber-Cubs

I know I’m not alone when I say that last season was a very unique time to be a Cubs fan. It was the first time in everyone’s lifetime that our beloved Cubs were defending World Series champions (unless you’re like 400 years old and were alive in 1908) and it felt like we were all still celebrating the 2016 championship as the 2017 season got underway.

2017 was also unique because Cubs fans watched the team seemingly alternate wins and losses through the first half of the season and play very mediocre baseball through the first three months of the season. I remember having daily conversations with fellow Cubs fans that always started with, “They’ll snap out of it eventually.”

They never really snapped out of it until early August when they were finally able to pull away from the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs clinched the division on Game 158 of the season which finally put Brewers fans unrealistic optimism six-feet under.

On a personal level, last season was also unique for me because I had to watch one of my favorite Cubs, Kyle Schwarber, struggle MIGHTILY for the first time in his professional career. The same Kyle Schwarber that had every Cubs fan eating out of the palm of his hand during the 2016 postseason turned into a lightning rod of criticism (and rightfully so) for Cubs fans across the nation in 2017.

All the success he had in 2016 was wiped clean last season and the Kyle Schwarber that Cubs fans fell in love with looked completely clueless at the plate. There were whispers of benching the left fielder at the end of May but a bigger bomb was dropped on June 22, 2017 when Schwarber was told he was demoted to AAA Iowa. Some of the biggest Cubs fans I know threw Schwarber under the bus and celebrated the demotion and even took it a step further and demanded that he be traded.

As much as it pained me to accept the demotion, it was even more painful to listen and read baseball idiots proclaim how they thought Schwarber was just an “average, over hyped” player due to his struggles.

2018 hasn’t even started and I’m already dealing with those same idiots online.

Example A.

Example B.

I fully understand the majority of these people are trolls looking to get a rise out of me but something in me always thinks, “This guy really thinks Schwarber sucks at baseball.”

I won’t lie to you — I’ll always root for Schwarber to be great because I truly believe he is a great player. I also know none of you care what the hell I think so I’ll turn to Theo Epstein to explain the reason the Cubs drafted Schwarber with the fourth pick in the 2014 MLB draft.

“Kyle played baseball with a football mentality,” said Epstein. “He would run through a wall in order to catch a ball. He would attack any obstacle that faced the team.”

The new members of the Cubs coaching staff are witnessing Schwarber’s willingness to “run through a wall” every single day thus far in Spring Training. New coach Will Venable has been working closely with Schwarber in camp to improve his defense and shared some interesting perspective that should get Cubs fans fired up to see the 2018 version of Kyle Schwarber.

“The challenge is to make sure he doesn’t work too much.”

Venable said if the Cubs let him, Schwarber would be out in the field for hours drilling and trying to become a better ballplayer. Nobody is harder on Schwarber than himself and Venable said players like that are great to be around and coach. Schwarber himself acknowledged that he’s seeing the ball well and “everything feels good out there.”

Schwarber knows his place in the outfield isn’t guaranteed with players like Ian Happ, Albert Almora Jr., Ben Zobrist, and Jason Heyward lurking but if he does get beat out for an outfield spot, it damn sure will not be because he didn’t put in the work.

And not that it’ll shock anyone but I’ll say it now — lock Schwarber in as your everyday left fielder.

Former All-Pro Corner Has Eyes On Possibly Joining Bears Defense

By
Erik Lambert
-
chicago bears

When it comes to free agency every team loves to make that splashy pickup. The signing that adding a still relatively young player with Pro Bowl skill to the roster. However, there is so much more to it than just that. Part of “winning” free agency is managing money and bringing in players who some might not think too much about but can help the team in a number of ways. This includes older players who might be viewed as “past their prime.” The Chicago Bears are no strangers to this practice.

In fact, they’ve had some success in the past at collecting an older player and getting some great production out of him. Julius Peppers was already 30-years old when he signed with the team in 2010. Ruben Brown signed with them at age 32 to play guard in 2004. Two years later he went to the Pro Bowl and helped them reach the Super Bowl. In 2001 they added big nose tackle Ted Washington who became an All-Pro. He was 33 that year.

So age isn’t necessarily a deterrent to success for free agents. It’s merely that the hit rate on such players is lower than with younger ones. Even so, could the Bears be interested in a calculated move for such a player? Price will play a factor, as will talent. It seems that one such name who fits that mold may be in their grasp soon.

Richard Sherman may see Chicago Bears as his new home

The Seattle Seahawks are blowing it all up. Michael Bennett was already traded to Philadelphia. Word is they’re listening to offers for safety Earl Thomas. Now it seems their former All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman is likely to get released in the next few days.

Prior to last season, Sherman had never missed a game in his NFL career. A torn Achilles ended that streak. Now he’s trying to return off a difficult injury and is about to turn 30-years old at the end of March. It’s unclear how much gas he has left in the tank, but teams may be willing to find out. Sherman went to four-straight Pro Bowls prior to his injury.

Already Ian Rapoport of NFL Network theorizes that teams like the Chargers, Falcons, and Raiders may be possible landing spots for him. This due largely to those teams running schemes he’d be familiar with. However, there is an undercurrent of buzz that suggests the Bears may be in that conversation.

Sherman may be seeking reunion with an old friend

Why would that be? The Bears aren’t exactly a contender and don’t run a similar scheme to the Seahawks. The truth lay in one key factor. That would be Vic Fangio. Most people don’t remember but Sherman’s last year at Stanford, and his best, came when Fangio was the defensive coordinator. The two also spent time going against each other in the NFC West for four years from 2011 to 2014.

That might explain why a source informed me that Sherman’s camp may hold the Bears in a higher regard than some might think.

“Sherman is interested in the Bears and views Chicago as a top choice.”

On a certain level, it’s not crazy. The Bears defense finished 10th last season. They’re young and ascending. They also have Mitch Trubisky and some interesting pieces on offense. Sherman is known for being a smart man who keeps himself well-informed. Perhaps he thinks the Bears are ready to ascend. A pairing of him and Kyle Fuller would certainly look great, presuming he’s the same player after that injury.

Two Prominent Bears Free Agents Looking Less Likely to Return

By
Erik Lambert
-
bears free agents

The Chicago Bears free agents list is extensive. At present no team has fewer players under contract than Chicago. This is a product of GM Ryan Pace. His penchant for overturning the roster and signing players to one-year deals means changes have come quite often. He’s clearly a man who doesn’t want to tie his team down to players he hasn’t drafted or haven’t earned their place. A sound strategy, but one that makes continuity difficult.

Then again that’s the nature of the NFL these days. Either way, Pace must work to figure out which of the several in-house names he wishes to keep in a Bears uniform before all hit the open market on March 14th when free agency officially opens. There are plenty of names to monitor. The biggest is cornerback Kyle Fuller. Chicago recently placed the transition tag on him. This means barring a huge offer from another team that the Bears refuse to match, he’ll stay in town at least for one more year.

Then there are other key names. Cameron Meredith, who was their best receiver in 2016, is a restricted free agent and should be brought back. Inside linebacker Christian Jones had a career year after elevating to the starter when Jerrell Freeman got injured. When the season ended it also looked like receiver Kendall Wright and cornerback Prince Amukamara were favorites to return.

Now? Not so much.

Wright and Amukamara no longer high on Bears free agents list

The arrival of head coach Matt Nagy and the strength of the 2018 free agent class seem to have hampered their future plans. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune is getting the sense that while both still could return, the odds are no longer in their favor given new circumstances.

“I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that either one could return, but I imagine the Bears are prioritizing other players at those positions right now. If Matt Nagy wants the team to pursue Albert Wilson of the Chiefs as a slot receiver, that could make it less likely Wright returns. The Bears are working to sign Kyle Fuller to a multiyear contract, and it will be interesting to see what they do at the other cornerback spot. Bringing back Amukamara might make sense, but it’s possible the Bears pursue a cornerback high in the draft.”

Indeed Wilson is basically a carbon copy of Wright. In fact, he may be a bit faster. Given his connection to Nagy from Kansas City, he holds a decisive edge. As for Amukamara, there’s something important to remember. Though his coverage was solid most of last year, he didn’t record a single interception and is also 29-years old this June. Given the wealth of corner talent expected to be available next week, keeping him is not a must.

One thing is for certain, from what I’ve been told by sources the Bears are expected to be more aggressive this year than any time before under Pace.

“Bears are ‘salivating’ over the possibilities in free agency. Nagy and Pace are ‘anxious and excited.”

People best get ready. It’s going to get crazy.

NHL Players Still Hold Blackhawks Players And Fans In High Regards Despite Dismal Season

By
Marc-Louis Paprzyca
-

A survey conducted by the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) showed that despite the Blackhawks struggles this season, NHL players still hold the organization in high regards.

Over 500 players participated in the survey from October through January 2018 that looked at skills, coaches, arenas and teams among other things. Fans spend countless hours debating these subjects but the view from a player’s eyes can be quite different.

The following list contains notable rankings that involve the Chicago Blackhawks organization. Full rankings here.

SKILLS

  • Patrick Kane – 3rd in hardest player and forward to play against categories.
  • Patrick Kane – 4th for player you’d want on you’re team if you need to win one game.
  • Captain Jonathan Toews – 2nd in the best role model and best team player categories.
  • Jonathan Toews – 4th for player to start a franchise with.

COACHES

  • Joel Quenneville- 1st for coach you’d most like to play for.
  • Ulf Samuelson – 3rd for next assistant to become head coach.
  • Jonathan Toews – 5th for player that would be a great coach.

ARENAS AND TEAMS

  • United Center – 2nd for favorite arena to play in.
  • Blackhawks – 1st for Best fans (30% of votes, 11% better than 2nd Nashville).

None of these rankings should come as any surprise to the Blackhawks or its fans but sometimes you just like to confirm your feelings. I believe these rankings are a good reason for many fans to stop freaking out and be reminded of how good we have it.

This season is a throw away and we have some of the top players and coaches to build around. Now we just need Stan Bowman to find the right pieces to fit around them.

Follow @Pappy_Hour on Twitter for more Blackhawks news and musings.

Matt Forte Is a Bears Legend But a Hall of Famer? Sadly No

By
Erik Lambert
-
chicago bears running back

A few weeks ago Chicago Bears legend Devin Hester retired. That allowed me to entertain the inevitable debate to come. Is he a future Hall of Famer? It was concluded that in the context of the position he played and the impact he had on the league, he should make it to Canton one day. Now the time has come again. Another Bears great is hanging up the cleats. Should Matt Forte get consideration in the future?

No franchise has a richer legacy when it comes to the running back position than the Bears. Bronko Nagurski, Red Grange, George McAfee, Gale Sayers and Walter Payton already reside in Canton. This isn’t counting the host of other great players who had success at the position during their time in Chicago like Rick Casares and Neal Anderson among others. Forte is merely the latest to enter that conversation and might be the most unique.

His style was never about being great at one thing. He wasn’t the strongest back in football. He wasn’t the fastest or quickest either. So how is he even in this conversation? The same as so many others. He took the athletic gifts he had, added a relentless work ethic and gave defenses headaches for almost a decade.

That said he’s not going to the Hall of Fame.

Matt Forte was most versatile player of his era but didn’t produce enough

Canton is one of the most difficult Hall of Fames to get into. The requirements are strict and more than a little biased. However, it does have an overarching theme driven by one question. Can football fans remember the era you played in without mentioning your name? The sad fact is this is true for Forte. Of course, Bears fans remember his greatness vividly, but it seemed like somebody else was always shining a little brighter.

Early on it was Chris Johnson, then it was Adrian Peterson or LeSean McCoy or Jamaal Charles or Le’Veon Bell. Those guys got the headlines while Forte quietly stacked up great season after great season. He’s only been to two Pro Bowls in his career and never played in the Super Bowl. Those sort of things matter. Then there are the stats.

Forte was a marvel of consistency in his career. He went over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in all but the last season of his career and scored 75 touchdowns. He also set an NFL record in 2014 for most receptions by a running back in a season with 102. All told he finished with 14,468 total yards in his career. That’s a lot. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stack up as well as people think.

Forte lack of accolades ruin his total production

The good news is his yardage mark is in the same ballpark as guys like Peterson, Marvin Harrison and Franco Harris. The problem is each of those men has something he doesn’t. Peterson has way more touchdowns (104) and has a 2,000-yard season. Harrison and Harris have Super Bowl rings. Such things are what sway the voters and Forte, despite his best effort, has neither.

It’s not an easy thing to accept because he was a great player but facts are facts. His overall production is right on the fringe but he doesn’t have the awards or the jewelry to give it that final push it needs. If and when the Bears ever install a Ring of Honor, he should be a first-ballot addition. Sadly though his dreams of Canton are likely never to happen.

1...3,0593,0603,061...3,362Page 3,060 of 3,362

Subscribe to our Newsletter

✶ An Unfiltered Voice For Chicago Sports Fans ✶

Chicago Sports News

About Us

© Sports Mockery, Inc. 2026