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Work on historic Quincy station house wraps up
The much-needed work on historic Quincy station is finally complete. The $18.2 million modernization, which began last spring, brought two new elevators, updated lighting, tiled flooring, reconfigured stairs to help with passenger flow, and motorized doors that meet ADA guidelines.
The Brown Line L station renovation was funded with local tax increment finance (TIF) funds and is part of a larger mission from the mayor’s office make all CTA stations accessible for people who have disabilities. Currently, 103 out of 145 stations are accessible for people in wheelchairs across the city. In July 2018, the city released plans for making the remaining stations accessible over the next 20 years.
The historic station house was given landmark status before the improvement project began and all the changes such as the elevator towers and railings, have kept in line with the original look. The station underwent a restoration in 1988 which brought back a lot of the historic features.
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In 1897, Quincy and its sister stations near Madison and Randolph were built by architect A.M. Hedley in a Neoclassical style with Palladian influences, according to the CTA. Many details from this time remain—like the pressed metal wreathes, fluted pilasters, decorative columns, and the ticket booth. The interiors featured varnished wooden floors, pressed tin walls and wood paneling unlike the shiny, streamlined Art Moderne style of the historic State Street subway stations.
The Quincy station was one of three stations built above Wells Street, known at the time as Fifth Avenue, according to the transit agency. Remnants of the street’s former name can be found on the northeast corner building which has an engraving “S. Fifth Ave.”
Find more Quincy history and historic photos on the transit agency’s website.
Interior of the Quincy stop before the modernization.
Photo courtesy of DPD
Source: https://chicago.curbed.com/2018/12/17/18144717/historic-quincy-station-work-complete
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Oct. pending home sales complicate short-term housing outlook
by Andrew Morrell November 29, 2018
The latest report on pending home sales recorded in October, released today by the National Association of Realtors, showed more signs of a short-term slowdown.
NAR’s pending home sales index declined by 2.6 percent last month compared to September, but was 6.7 percent lower than Oct. 2017’s levels. Not only does this make for 10 consecutive months of year-over-year declines in pending sales, it also is the steepest decline seen since January and the lowest number of pending sales seen since mid-2014.
According to NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun, the latest pending home sales report calls into question the short-term outlook of the U.S. housing market. Pending sales usually predict actual existing home sales activity for the next month or two, and other recent data has suggested that the market has finally flatlined or even begun to decelerate.
Still, Yun and other housing economists are optimistic about next year’s overall outlook, despite signs that 2018 will end on a sour note.
“While the long-term prospects look solid, we just have to get through this short-term period of uncertainty,” Yun said in NAR’s pending home sales report.
Ruben Gonzalez, economist for Keller Williams, suggested that the recent downturn may have more to do with the gut feelings of potential homebuyers and sellers, given a slew of negative market data since mid-summer.
“The headwind of rising rates and recent stock market volatility are likely weighing on consumers’ minds despite otherwise strong economic factors that continue to support a healthy housing market,” Gonzalez said in his remarks on the pending home sales report. “We should continue to see inventory levels rise and price appreciation slow as we move toward 2019, but if economic growth and employment remain healthy, we should see only moderate declines in sales.”
Source: https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/2018/11/29/oct-pending-home-sales-complicate-short-term-housing-outlook/
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Ex-Bear Brandon Marshall sells Michigan Avenue penthouse for a loss
After several years of searching, former Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall finally found a buyer for his striking Michigan Avenue penthouse. The $3.2 million sale price, however, was well below the $3.9 million the pro athlete paid for the home in 2014, Crain’s reported Monday.
Located at 6 N. Michigan Avenue in the former Montgomery Ward building designed by Schmidt, Garden, and Martin in 1898, the 6,400-square-foot home spans an impressive five levels. It boasts four bedrooms, multiple private terraces, sweeping views of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan, and a great room with ornate columns and archways located inside the historic building’s old observation tower.
Marshall played three seasons for the Bears from 2012 to 2014. He first listed the downtown condo for $6 million in 2016 and reduced the asking price multiple times since then. The penthouse was even briefly offered as a $20,000 a month rental.
In addition to ponying up $3.2 million for Marshall’s former pad, the unidentified buyers will be on the hook for $98,000 in annual taxes and another $101,000 in yearly building assessments, according to the Chicago Tribune.
A view from one of the home’s balconies.
A large, open living room with lots of windows.
The kitchen features white cabinets, stainless appliances, and a chalkboard wall.
This den gets plenty of sun through its large skylight.
Source: https://chicago.curbed.com/2019/6/5/18652403/brandon-marshall-michigan-avenue-penthouse-sold
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Wendell Carter Jr. up, but Lauri Markkanen down in loss to Blazers
The Chicago Bulls continued their horrible start to 2019 as they lost 124-112 to the Portland Trail Blazers, stretching their losing streak to 5 games. Chicago was in the game for the first three quarters but began to show signs of faltering heading into 4th. Portland saw that, made a run, and essentially ended the game with about 8 minutes to play as Jim Boylen emptied his bench.
It was a bleh performance from the Bulls defensively as they allowed Portland to shoot 56.6% from the field and 42.3% from three. Offensively the Bulls were actually decent, shooting 46.2% from the field, hitting 9 of their 22 attempted three-pointers (40.9%), and 4 of the 5 starters scoring in double figures.
Of the young starting group, it was a big night for Wendell Carter Jr., who scored a team-high 22 points. He went 7 of 9 from the field, grabbed 6 rebounds, and hit all 7 of his free throws. This was one of these games were Carter Jr. flashed his offensive potential to not only be an efficient scorer around the rim but also someone who can stretch the floor in certain situations.
The sequence starts with Kris Dunn dribbling himself into a double team in the paint. Jusuf Nurkic, who is guarding Carter Jr., is in his way and Dunn quickly realizes he has no chance of getting up a quality look. Dunn quickly kicks it back out to Lauri Markkanen at the top of the key. Portland does a good job of switching and maintaining their defensive assignments so there is no real matchup for the Bulls to exploit. However Markkanen finds space to drive on his left right after he catches the ball due to Al-Farouq Aminu collapsing down on the Dunn drive. With Aminu late on the closeout, Markkanen moves to his left and into the lane. Nurkic stays home to guard the paint and cuts off the Markkanen drive. But while Markkanen was going to the rim, Carter Jr. slipped out to the corner.
Unfortunately we don’t see this too often: this was only the 6th made three-pointer WCJ has made all season (on 30 attempts) and the first he has hit since the Bulls played New Orleans on November 7th. Getting him looks from deep should be something Chicago needs to make happen moving forward.
Here is the craziest play WCJ made all night:
Your browser does not support HTML5 video.
With his man Meyers Leonard committing so heavily to a Ryan Arcidiacono drive into the paint, WCJ was left all alone underneath the rim. Initially Arch goes up for the shot, forcing Leonard to contest, but ended up dishing it to Carter Jr mid air. WCJ did a good job of being ready for the catch and was about to go straight up for the easy dunk. However there was one more obstacle left to clear. Zach Collins, who was guarding Markkanen, came down to help and force Carter Jr. to take a tough shot. WCJ went straight up as soon as Collins did, causing the two to collide and forcing an easy foul call on the Blazers big man. But the play wasn’t over yet as Carter Jr. somehow flipped the ball up from the tightest of angles and somehow the ball went in to complete the three-point play, at the time getting the Bulls within single digits.
While WCJ was a positive, it was another rough night for Markkanen, who went 4 of 12 from the field.
The offense overall faltered in the second half as they began to slow the pace down again, and there seems to be a general problem with shot distribution in the starting lineup. In a game where Dunn and Zach LaVine combine for 33 field goal attempts, Markkanen should surely have more. He is the Bulls second most important offensive player and needs to be more involved down the stretch of games.
Ever since his back to back 30 point performances against Orlando and Cleveland, there are only two games where he has shot 15 times or more from the field. An aggressive Lauri Markkanen can go a long way in helping this Bulls team become better offensively.
Source: https://www.blogabull.com/2019/1/10/18176524/wendell-carter-jr-up-but-lauri-markkanen-down-in-loss-to-blazers
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Hit-and-run driver strikes trick-or-treater in Libertyville
A 10-year-old boy who was trick-or-treating with other children Wednesday night in Libertyville was struck by a car whose driver fled, police say.
The trick-or-treaters were walking on the 200 block of Pond Ridge Road shortly after 6 p.m. when, witnesses say, a speeding car jumped a curb, hit a mailbox and then struck the boy, police said. The driver then sped away, police said.
The boy was conscious and breathing when firefighters arrived. He was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center for treatment and was expected to be released Wednesday night, police said.
Police are seeking help locating the vehicle and its driver. The vehicle was described as gray Nissan or Lexus four-door sedan with tinted windows. The vehicle was damaged on the front passenger's sided.
Police also are asking all car dealerships and body shops to watch for any vehicle matching the description brought in for repairs.
Anyone with information should call (847) 362-8310.
Source: https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20181031/hit-and-run-driver-strikes-trick-or-treater-in-libertyville
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Brandon Kintzler exercises player option for 2019
Brandon Kintzler was obtained by the Cubs July 31 for minor leaguer Jhon Romero.
Let’s be charitable. His performance with the Cubs was less than optimal and worse than management had expected.
According to this, he’ll be back in 2019:
The team has not made an official announcement of this, yet.
Now, it’s entirely possible that Kintzler could rebound and have a successful 2019. He posted 1.6 bWAR combined between the Twins and Nationals in 2017, which is perfectly acceptable for a reliever of his caliber.
If he could do that, we’d all be pretty happy, and he’d be worth the $5 million.
Perhaps some other team will think that and trade for him. At $5 million, his contract is dealable. The Cubs would probably only want a mid-level prospect and salary relief in return.
Kintzler turned 34 the day after the trade, so he could have another decent year left in him. If he remains a Cub on Opening Day 2019, let’s hope so.
Source: https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/10/31/18048942/brandon-kintzler-exercises-player-option-2019-cubs
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The Wildwood Pickers took their bluegrass around the world—and worked as a house band at Dollywood
Music / The Secret History of Chicago Music The Wildwood Pickers took their bluegrass around the world—and worked as a house band at Dollywood
Posted By Steve Krakow on 10.23.18 at 04:02 PM
Since 2004 Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) has used the Secret History of Chicago Music to shine a light on worthy artists with Chicago ties who've been forgotten, underrated, or never noticed in the first place. Older strips are archived here.
Tags: Wildwood Pickers, Wildwood Girls, Carter Family, bluegrass, country, Muriel Anderson, Kim Koskela, Robin Koskela, Robin Bachkor, Kathy Jones, First Harvest, Wildwood Flower, Family Reunion, Bluegrass in My Heart, Goodnight Soldier, Sue Koskela, Cory Koskela, Bill Monroe, Bean Blossom Festival, Dollywood, Grand Ole Opry, USO, Sandra Shelton, Barbara Good, Chet Atkins, Michelle Roberts, Mitzi Oden, Tom Re, John Renbourn, Image, Video
Source: https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2018/10/23/the-wildwood-pickers-took-their-bluegrass-around-the-world-and-worked-as-a-house-band-at-dollywood
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Kyle Hendricks should be the Cubs’ Opening Day starter
I’ve written recently about the Cubs’ 25-man roster and how there will likely be few changes between now and Opening Day March 28. The signing of Daniel Descalso... likely about as good as it gets for free-agent excitement.
One thing that isn’t likely to change at all is the Cubs’ starting rotation. Pretty much set in stone are these five pitchers: Jon Lester, Cole Hamels, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana and Yu Darvish.
Of those five, who do you think should be the Opening Day starter?
If it were up to me, I’d give the honor to Hendricks.
Hendricks and Lester had similar seasons in 2018 by bWAR: 3.5 for Hendricks, 3.4 for Lester. Both struggled at times, both had long stretches of good pitching.
Over his five seasons with the Cubs, Hendricks has made 132 starts and posted a 3.07 ERA and 1.110 WHIP. Since 1945, here are all the Cubs starting pitchers who have made that many starts and posted numbers that good:
Kyle Hendricks.
That’s it. He’s been remarkably consistent over his five seasons, in which he has posted 16.8 bWAR. In 2016, he led the major leagues in ERA, the first Cubs pitcher to do so since Bill Lee in 1938. That year he posted 5.4 bWAR and finished third in Cy Young voting.
In his four years with the Cubs, Lester has had one outstanding year (2016), two pretty good years (2015, 2018) and one he’d probably rather forget (2017). He was the Cubs’ Opening Day starter in 2015, 2017 and 2018; the 2016 nod went to Jake Arrieta after his Cy Young season. No doubt, Lester has had an outstanding career, and I hope he has another good year in 2019.
But I think Hendricks’ consistency over his five Cubs seasons should be rewarded. Also, he’s never pitched in Globe Life Park, the home stadium of the team that traded him away. The Cubs should give him the Opening Day start — and follow him up with Hamels and Darvish, two former Rangers. Lester and Quintana can throw in the following series against the Braves in Atlanta.
Poll
Who should be the Cubs’ Opening Day starter?
6%
Yu Darvish
(23 votes)
5%
Cole Hamels
(20 votes)
51%
Kyle Hendricks
(176 votes)
33%
Jon Lester
(115 votes)
1%
Jose Quintana
(5 votes)
339 votes total Vote Now
Source: https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/12/19/18148279/cubs-jon-lester-kyle-hendricks-opening-day-starter
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Anthony Rizzo Goes OPPO to Keep Up His Hot Streak (VIDEO)
Fresh off a very productive weekend at the plate, Anthony Rizzo came into tonight’s game against the Dodgers reasonably “hot.”
Can we say he’s just hot now?
Nicely incorporating the Game of Thrones Night there, #AtCubs.
Anthony Rizzo doesn’t hit a lot of opposite field shots by nature, so that was a fun one to see. In most parks, that probably doesn’t go out, but it probably does still go for two bases, as Rizzo scalded it.
Rizzo’s up-to-the-moment slash line is now at .205/.370/.425, good for a 116 wRC+.
Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/2019/04/23/anthony-rizzo-goes-oppo-to-keep-up-his-hot-streak-video/
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Baseball history unpacked, November 21
A wildly popular Cubs-centric look at baseball’s past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow along as we review select scenes from the rich tapestry of Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball history. We invite you to investigate the linked material, which will illustrate the bullets somewhat.
Today in baseball history:
1893 - Ban Johnson is named president, secretary, and treasurer of the recently reorganized Western League. Under Johnson’s leadership the league will prosper and eventually become the American League. (3)
1933 - Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Chuck Klein, who won the Triple Crown after hitting .368 with 28 home runs and 120 RBI, is sold to the Cubs for $125,000 and veterans Mark Koenig and Harvey Hendrick, and rookie Ted Kleinhans. Hendrick will play one year with the Phillies, while Koenig and Hendrick quickly go to the Reds. Klein, who also led the National League in hits (223), doubles (44), extra-base hits (79), total bases (365), slugging percentage (.602), on base percentage (.368) and OPS (1.025), and finished second in runs (102) and fourth in steals (15), is the only player in major league history to be traded after a Triple Crown season. Klein will have two-plus seasons at Wrigley Field before returning to Philadelphia in 1936. (3)
1934 - In a pitchers transaction, the St. Louis Cardinals send 16-game winner Tex Carleton to the Chicago Cubs for Bud Tinning and Dick Ward, and cash considerations. Carleton will win 11 in Chicago while Tinning and Ward will help little. (3)
1949 - Bill Veeck sells the Indians for $2.2 million to a local syndicate headed by Ellis Ryan. Hank Greenberg will be general manager. (2)
More fun. Of local interest.
Sources:
Thanks for reading.
Source: https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/11/21/18105241/baseball-history-unpacked-november-21
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Lincoln Yards approved by Chicago City Council, only TIF votes remain
As protestors packed City Hall on Wednesday, a divided Chicago City Council approved the controversial $6 billion Lincoln Yards megadevelopment. The 33-14 vote note only represents the final step in the massive project’s zoning process, but a legacy-defining moment for outgoing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Following the council’s majority decision to back developer Sterling Bay’s plan, Emanuel addressed the chamber and defended his support for the project as a way to help solve Chicago’s mounting fiscal woes.
“You use the ability to grow in the city, and the jobs, to become a way to find the resources to address all the issues that, individually, members have asked for to be spoken to,” said Emanuel, according to the Chicago Tribune. “Otherwise, you can just either cut police, fire, garbage services, or you can just tax folks.”
Others, including mayor candidates Toni Preckwinkle and Lori Lightfoot, remain unconvinced. They echo a chorus of aldermen, community activists, journalists, and neighbors to speak out against the project, its rapid pace of approval, and the use of tax increment financing (TIF) subsidies to reimburse Sterling Bay for over $1 billion for infrastructure improvements.
An ordinance supporting the proposed Cortland/Chicago River TIF district was also introduced on Wednesday. The measure is expected to go before the city’s Finance Committee and then back before the council for final approval next month. These votes will take place after the April 2 runoff election, but before Emanuel officially departs office in May.
At Wednesday’s council meeting, protestors were also out in force against Emanuel’s plan to construct a new $95 million training center for police and first responders on vacant land in West Garfield Park. Opponents argued that the funds should go towards investments in the community instead of the Chicago Police Department—especially in light of the murder of Laquan Mcdonald.
Although technically separate from the Lincoln Yards plan, the proposed police academy was financed through the city’s sale of its former Department of Fleet and Facility complex to Sterling Bay. The 18-acre riverfront site will become what the developer is calling Lincoln Yards South. The council voted 38-8 in favor of West Side training facility.
Source: https://chicago.curbed.com/2019/3/14/18263765/lincoln-yards-approved-city-council-emanuel-tif
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Bears vs. Bills Injury Report: Khalil Mack one of three questionable for Chicago
One week after sitting both outside linebacker Khalil Mack and wide receiver Allen Robinson II, the Chicago Bears may be prepared to do it again on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Officially they are both listed as questionable, but they were on the same practice schedule they were on a week ago. We may see a game day decision for Mack (ankle), Robinson (groin), and the other questionable Bear, defensive lineman Bilal Nichols (knee). Of these three, only Nichols was held out of Friday’s practice. Nichols also missed Thursday’s practice after head coach Matt Nagy said him being limited on Wednesday was just precautionary.
The Bears have already ruled two players out for Sunday, Kyle Long (foot) and Ben Braunecker (concussion). Long’s absence was expected with earlier reports setting his timetable to return at six to eight weeks. Braunecker won’t be eligible to play until he is out of concussion protocol.
Offensive guard Eric Kush, who missed last week with a neck injury, was a full participant at practice and is not on the report.
For the Buffalo Bills, they list Trent Murphy (DE) and Josh Allen (QB) as out, and Derek Anderson (QB) and Tremaine Edmunds (LB) both questionable with concussions.
So there’s a real good chance the Bills start Nathan Peterman at quarterback against the Bears.
If Peterman starts due to Anderson being inactive, the Bills will have the recently signed, ex-Bear Matt Barkley as the backup quarterback.
Source: https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/11/2/18056624/chicago-bears-buffalo-bills-injury-report-khalil-mack-questionable-out-allen-robinson-bilal-nichols
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5 New Richardsonian Romanesque Row Homes: 509 W. Menomonee in Old Town
These 4-bedroom new construction row homes in Menomonee Row at 509 W. Menomonee in Old Town recently came on the market.
Is this Old Town or just Lincoln Park? It’s located not far from St. Michael’s Church which is a mainstay of Old Town.
The listing says Menomonee Row is 5 brick and limestone single family row homes designed by Sullivan Goulette & Wilson in the Richardsonian Romanesque style.
All the bedrooms are en suite.
It has luxury finishes like a custom kitchen by Bovelli with Wolf and Subzero appliances.
The house has many vintage touches including coffered ceilings, extensive moldings and wainscoting along with wide plank hardwood floors and large oversized Pella architectural windows.
Each row house has a fully attached underground 2 or 3 car garage.
These have been under construction for some time (the picture above is from 2018). The listing says there is 45-day delivery.
Are luxury row houses an unexpected choice for a developer in this neighborhood?
And with so many luxury properties on the market, are these going to be a hard sell?
Timothy Sheahan at Compass has the listings. You can see the listing with interior pictures here.
509 W. Menomonee: 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, no square footage listed
Currently listed at $2.225 million
It doesn’t list an assessment (fee simple?)
Built on a 23×75 lot
Taxes are “new”
2 or 3 car underground garages
Central Air
Bedroom #1: 18×13 (second floor)
Bedroom #2: 11×12 (second floor)
Bedroom #3: 12×10 (second floor)
Bedroom #4: 12×14 (third floor)
This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 16th, 2019 at 11:10 am and is filed under Old Town, Row house. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Source: http://cribchatter.com/?p=26120
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Nobody In On Harper, That Machado Rumor, Wedding Bells, and Other Bullets
Got lost down a looking-at-old-pictures-of-myself wormhole and I realized that it really is true that I can’t seem to just take a normal picture. Stop making that face, moron. Can’t you just smile occasionally? True story: we were getting family pictures last year, and I had to ask the photographer to take a “headshot” type thing of me so I could use it for my picture here at the site … since I couldn’t otherwise find a recent picture where I wasn’t making myself look like an idiot.
If you believe former GM Steve Phillips, the White Sox are about to get Bryce Harper for six dollars:
I tend to think Phillips was more making a point than reporting what he’s heard, but in any case, this is all just ridiculous semantics. There are teams that are interested in signing Harper, but aren’t yet interested in handing over all their leverage. The White Sox kinda didn’t have a choice but be very forward in their advances.
Speaking of thin bits, this is a rumor out there that I didn’t want folks to think I didn’t see, but I also am not putting full weight in it:
In order for this to be an accurate accounting, either Clark is perfectly willing to burn a source that he knows is one of the very few people who’ve learned a final Machado decision, *OR* Machado is out there telling lots of friends and former teammates about his decision and everyone in that circle KNOWS he’s doing that, so it’s totally cool to just throw it out there without burning a source. It tends to be the case that things … don’t actually happen like that. It is a very good bet right now – without any information – that Machado is going to sign with the Yankees, and that the decision is going to be publicly revealed in January. I highly doubt, however, that Machado is out there telling friends and former teammates that he’s definitely choosing the Yankees, but, uh, not until next month because reasons. Instead, if he’s telling them anything at all, I’d imagine it’s more like probably this, I think that, etc.
I remember watching this game at a bar with some friends. We’d gotten ourselves nice and happily over the “loss” by the time the Cubs started their comeback, which made watching the comeback all the more exciting:
The gang is getting back together for a certain wedding:
It’s not great when you can make a very full graphic like this:
Something you don’t hear about the Yankees in the national sphere, even as everyone is ready to offer their thoughts on the Cubs – relative to increasing revenues, the Yankees have gotten really cheap:
Checking in on Hall voting from the currently-available ballots, and then projecting (because the public ballots always skew in certain directions):
A little love for Mitch on the football side of things:
Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/2018/12/29/nobody-in-on-harper-that-machado-rumor-wedding-bells-and-other-bullets/
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The first-place Bears are being themselves, and for once, that’s a good thing
The first-place Bears are being themselves, and for once, thats a good thing originally appeared on nbcsportschicago.com
Perhaps this matter-of-fact quote sums up just how monumental a turnaround the Bears are in the midst of pulling off:
"We just wanted to come out and do us," outside linebacker Leonard Floyd said. "Be the Chicago Bears."
Being the Chicago Bears used to mean losing. A lot. It meant having opponents doing the "Electric Slide" after an interception. It meant throwing challenge flags that resulted in the opposing team getting the ball, not the Bears getting a touchdown. It meant a popular former kicker scoring every point and hitting a game-winning field goal in a one-point loss. It meant the short-lived Mike Glennon era.
Now? Being the Chicago Bears means wide receiver Anthony Miller rowing a boat in one end zone and safety Eddie Jackson conducting an orchestra in the other. It means a defense imposing its will on a game. It means an entire team bolting from its sideline to celebrate with its much-maligned kicker after he hit a field goal to seal a win. It means having a widely-praised head coach and a roster suddenly stocked with potential Pro Bowlers.
Most of all: Being the Chicago Bears now means winning, as this team did, 25-20, over the Minnesota Vikings Sunday night at Soldier Field. The Bears are 7-3 and have a firm grasp on the NFC North, a division in which they've been mired at the bottom for far too long.
Beating the Vikings, the presumptive preseason favorite in the NFC North, does not make the Bears a playoff team just yet. But it does prove to them, and the rest of the league, that this is a group that's for real, one that's made significant strides through 10 games and still has room to grow in the final six.
"You gotta understand the situation," outside linebacker Khalil Mack said. "Knowing that you're facing a division opponent, knowing we're going to face them twice a year, we gotta make that jump. You saw that today."
The Bears' defense physically and mentally beat the Vikings, with Akiem Hicks ravaging the interior of Minnesota's offensive line for five tackles for a loss, one sack and one critical pass break-up on a late two-point conversion attempt. Mack bullied Vikings left tackle Riley Reiff, as evidenced by his stat-stuffing day (one sack, two QB hits, one TFL, one pass break-up, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery) as well as this:
What Mack, Hicks and Floyd (two TFLs, and plenty of pressure) did was mentally scramble Minnesota's offense while beating them physically across the board.
"Who do you block? Who do you block? That's the question," Hicks said. "Do you block Leonard Floyd? Do you block Eddie Goldman? Do you block Akiem? Do you block Khalil? Who are you gonna block? That's the question that we want every offense to have to figure out."
It wasn't until midway through the fourth quarter that the Vikings' offense began rolling, but thanks to a few plays by Mitch Trubisky and a clutch Parkey field goal, it wasn't enough. The Bears finished a game in all three phases - offense, defense, special teams - in the fourth quarter against a good opponent, proving again this is a team headed in the right direction.
The Bears' quick turnaround from Sunday night to Thursday afternoon's date with the Detroit Lions will provide a challenge, though it's one players said would be made easier by Sunday's victory.
Perhaps the biggest test regarding the quick turnaround, then, will be for this team to devise some new, creative celebrations. Because they might need a few of those again on Thanksgiving.
"We got one," Jackson laughed. "We gotta add more, though."
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/first-place-bears-being-themselves-071824113.html?src=rss
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NFL Power Rankings: The Chicago Bears are on a roll, but will they move up?
The Chicago Bears have won two straight games and have climbed back on top of the NFC North, but how are they views from a national perspective? No one expected the Bears to have five wins at the half way point in the season, so some could be looking at them as fool’s gold.
Let’s find out where the national power rankers view first-year, head coach Matt Nagy’s team.
SB Nation still has the Bears at 8th overall, but they weren’t very complimentary in their assessment of them.
As for the Bears, their grasp of first place in the NFC North is weak. They have the Vikings on their tails and it’s too soon to count out any team from winning that division. Except for the Lions ... maybe.
ESPN has the Bears up from 14 last week.
10. Chicago Bears (5-3)
Preseason rank: 26
The Bears have been a surprise because the defense is playing even better than expected -- and that’s with Khalil Mack having missed the past two games with an ankle injury. Also, Chicago’s offense is slowly growing under quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who has limited mistakes over the past two weeks.
The USA Today is moving the Bears up as well.
12. Bears (15): They just got flexed into “Sunday Night Football” for Week 11. Let’s hope Khalil Mack’s ankle healthy enough to allow him to play by then.
Yahoo Sports has the Bears in the top 10.
10. Chicago Bears (5-3, LW: 13)
Most coaches wouldn’t do what Matt Nagy did. While it’s possible Khalil Mack absolutely couldn’t play with an ankle injury, it sure seems like Nagy gambled they could beat the Jets and Bills without him and give him two weeks to heal. The Bears won both games. Most veteran head coaches don’t like gambling like that, much less a rookie head coach. But it was smart.
CBS Sports has the Bears up 5 spots to the top ten, at number 10.
They are atop the NFC North at the halfway point. Big props to coach Matt Nagy.
Sports Illustrated moved the Bears up one spot.
13. CHICAGO BEARS (5-3)
It’s just Buffalo, but a 41-9 win is always welcoming and encouraging. The Bears move up a spot.
Yeah, it’s just Buffalo...
The Chicago Tribune also moved Chicago up this week.
10. Bears 5-3 (14). They carry a two-game winning streak into a stretch of three straight vs. NFC North foes — the first time they’ve played three in a row in the division since 2007.
What are your thoughts on the Power Rankings this week?
We’ll have a much better idea on what this Bears team is in the next few weeks.
Source: https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2018/11/6/18068066/nfl-power-rankings-chicago-bears-are-on-a-roll-but-will-they-move-up-trubisky-kahlil-mack-nfc-north
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Cubs looking to win home series vs. Pirates
The Chicago Cubs will go for their first series victory of the season when they welcome the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night in the rubber match of a three-game set.
Chicago has lost eight of its first 11 games but is looking to wrap up its first home series on a winning note. The Cubs beat the Pirates 10-0 in the series opener before falling short 5-2 on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is looking to win its second series in a row after a cold start to the season. The Pirates have won six of 10 and hope to leave Chicago with a win before continuing their road trip to Washington and Detroit.
Pirates right-hander Joe Musgrove (1-0, 0.00 ERA) is scheduled to make his third appearance (second start) of 2019. Musgrove struck out eight batters in seven scoreless innings in his previous start against the Cincinnati Reds.
In three career starts against the Cubs, Musgrove is 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA. The 26-year-old California native has issued seven walks and racked up 17 strikeouts in 20 innings.
Chicago will turn to left-hander Jose Quintana (0-1, 10.29 ERA), who will also make his third appearance (second start) of the campaign. The Colombia native is coming off a nightmare start in which he gave up eight runs, all earned, on eight hits in three innings against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Quintana is 1-1 with a 2.89 ERA in five career starts against the Pirates. He has 29 strikeouts in 28 innings.
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli and outfielder Starling Marte will look to stay hot after slugging their first home runs of the season Wednesday. Josh Bell also drove in a run and finished with a pair of hits.
One of the Cubs' hottest hitters -- Jason Heyward -- has been a surprise to start the year. He lifted his batting average to .371 with a three-hit performance, including a solo home run, against the Pirates on Wednesday.
The Cubs will lean on Quintana and three other starters -- Kyle Hendricks, Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels -- to pick up the bulk of the workload while Jon Lester is sidelined. Lester was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday because of a left hamstring injury.
"He's our guy; he's our ace," Hendricks said in comments published by NBC Sports Chicago. "We know we have to pick up some of the slack, but it's the same mindset coming in -- just try to win today.
"He's the picture-perfect guy for us. He sets up the image we want to have as a staff. He's been that guy that we always look to. He goes out and sets the example for us. It's unfortunate having him go down for a couple here, but we hope it's quick and we can get him back and rolling again."
The Pirates also have questions about the short-term future of their rotation after Chris Archer drew a five-game suspension for his role in a benches-clearing incident with the Cincinnati Reds earlier this week. Archer plans to appeal the suspension.
"I just want to let (the process) play itself out," Archer told reporters after Tuesday's game against the Cubs.
--Field Level Media
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/cubs-looking-win-home-series-vs-pirates-075520524--mlb.html?src=rss
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