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May 5, 2008Hockey, eh?
April 14, 2008So you’re bummed that the Blackhawks didn’t make the playoffs… again. For the fifth season in a row, and the ninth time in ten years, your local hosers have failed to make it to the postseason.
The funny part thought is the love note posted on the home page of the Blackhawks’ Web site, signed by the president and chairman of the organization. According to them, there is quite a “buzz” surrounding the team. Well, that “buzz” hasn’t generated enough interest from this guy, who obviously isn’t a Chicago fan, but especially wouldn’t have the slightest interest in seeing a team that has failed to win the Stanley Cup in 47 years.
Because I am more knowledgeable about the pigskin, I have to compare them to the Bengals from the 1990s, who were consistently awful. Either way, I guess I should make some sort of point here.
Despite the Blackhawks’ awfulness, there will be a Chicago team in the playoffs this year. The Chicago Wolves will be competing for the Calder Cup when they meet with the Milwaukee Admirals on Wednesday. They are perennially competitive, and while I’m not sure how easy it is to make the playoffs, the Wolves have done it 12 of the last 13 years, according to Wikipedia. Yeah, that’s right – I quoted Wiki for some info.
I guess my point is – regardless of the difference in level of play, maybe the Blackhawks should look west over at the old Rosemont Horizon to see what those guys are doing right.
Or we could go another 47 years without a Stanley Cup.
Ozzie being Ozzie
April 10, 2008Oh, Ozzie… Everyone is out to get you, aren’t they?
Coming in to the season, Ozzie said he would be Ozzie again. The loudmouthed (yet successful) coach is already crying foul, and of course, we listen.
Hey, if I was Phil Cuzzi, after last year’s tongue-lashing:
I don’t know how much of a rush I’d be in to discuss a call against one of Ozzie’s boys either.
We’re a little over a week in to the season, and Ozzie has already stirred the pot with his Clemente talk. This latest flap promises to be just one of the several more bumps in the road along the way this season.
Too early to speculate?
April 9, 2008Alright, so I was poking around on ESPN’s 2008 NBA mock draft calculator. Players included are Michael Beasley, OJ Mayo, and Chicago’s own Derrick Rose.
Pop quiz: As of today, what do these three players have in common?
Answer: That’s right – None of them have declared for the draft. Is it likely that they will? Yes, and it certainly won’t be a shock when it does. But here’s what I can’t understand. The 2008 NBA Draft isn’t even until late June, and the lottery won’t happen for at least an hour or so.
The decision of the NBA to enforce a rule that players have to be out of high school for at least a year before joining the NBA was a monumental decision that has begun a process that will help develop players as people, apart from athletes. While this is true, how many of these guys with dollar signs in their eyes are going to go back and still develop as athletes, and earn that diploma that so many are walking away from prematurely?
Then again, if I was 6’10″, weighed 250, and could dunk like Beasley, I’d probably consider the NBA too.
Welcome back Dusty
April 9, 2008Maybe I’m just used to rivalries and hatred between people and teams in professional sports, but I’m sure a lot of Cubbies fans have been looking forward to the return of Dusty Baker since he was named skipper of the Reds this offseason.
He had such a great record while he was here (psh):
| Year | Wins | Losses | Win % | Finish |
| 2003 | 88 | 74 | 0.543 | 1 |
| 2004 | 89 | 73 | 0.549 | 3 |
| 2005 | 79 | 79 | 0.488 | 4 |
| 2006 | 66 | 96 | 0.407 | 6 |
*Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference
And he never caused any controversy, either. Let’s just hope he brings some thermals for his players to fend off the cold.
Despite saying that he wanted to come back for one more year, I think Jim Hendry canned him at the right time. In a single season, Lou Piniella brought the Cubs from last to first at the drop of a hat:
This year, with new talent in Fukodome, a redesigned rotation, and a role Kerry Wood might not see his arm fall off in, the Cubs are the favorite to win the division. We’ll see if Lou can show Dusty a thing or two next week when the Reds come to town.
FREE TIBET?
April 9, 2008
Image courtesy of http://www.rsf.org
Olympic torch update: It’s in San Francisco. Just two days after the torch received some flak in Paris, those wild San Franciscans are waving their own banners at the torch. Oh yeah, so what does that matter here in Chicago?
Well, over 2100 miles away from the fiasco in Frisco, we’ve got our own bleeding hearts marching up and down Michigan Avenue.
Greetings, Chicago Olympic Committee!
Well, considering it is the only stop in the U.S., I’m happy to see this went so well, according to the Olympic jockstraps over in their communications dept. It’s an absolute crime that they haven’t even acknowledged any of the human rights issues in Tibet, and will continue to march their ignorant torch around the world.
“Old Style” Mission
April 8, 2008As a news source, it is my duty to point out poignant things that matter on the Chicago sports scene. As a male sports fan, it is also my duty to make fun of them, while still providing insightful analysis and content… if I have to.
Stay tuned.
“Old Style” Communities (no, not like Wrigleyville) unless…
April 8, 2008Facebook Communities:
Myspace Communities:
In all reality, my target audiences will refer to my blog just as much as they do the ones listed above. The Facebook and Myspace Community pages aren’t very strong, but I assume they have people who would be interested in reading my blog. The true target audience here is chicago sports fans with some sort of sense of humor. The links above, coupled with the links in previous blog research articles should be enough to prove there are plenty of people out there who are fervent about their mediocre sports teams.
I hope to get more hits than Al Capone.
Key Web sites related to the “Old Style” Gentleman’s Sports Blog
April 8, 2008General Sources:
Cubs:
White Sox:
Bulls:
Bears:
Additional Sources:
There are of course the league websites for all of these teams, events, etc. It’s a more or less comprehensive list of content I can relate my posts to though – that’s for sure!
“Hot topics” on the Chicago sports front
April 8, 2008The Chicago Cubs
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The resurgence of Kerry Wood in a new role – closer
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The Cubbies’ new Japanese outfield stud – Kosuke Fukodome
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Division rivals – Brewers & Cardinals
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The ever-inflammatory Lou Piniella
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Unfortunately, steroids. I really don’t want to do a post on steroids, but if it comes down to it…
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MLB Draft (June 7-8)
The Chicago White Sox
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The ever-more-inflammatory Ozzie Guillen
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The play of Joe Crede – who was/is rumored to be big-time trade bait
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The play of newcomers Octavio Dotel, Orlando Cabrera, and Nick Swisher
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Division rival Indians, Tigers, resurgent Royals
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Off to a quick start – White Sox are leading the division right now
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MLB Draft (June 7-8)
The Chicago Bulls
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2007-08 Season in review
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Areas of improvement for the Bulls
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NBA Draft lottery
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Coaching prospects
The Chicago Bears
- NFL Draft (April 26-27)
- Training camps
- Offseason moves
- Urlacher’s holdout – injury/money gripes
- Departure of WR Muhsin Muhammad
Potential Bonus Coverage:
The Chicago Blackhawks
- Hockey, eh?
The Olympics
- Anything new on the 2016 Chicago Olympic bid
Derrick Rose, Sherron Collins
- Chicago Locals
Chicago High School sports
- Only if you’re lucky
