Go figure: No all-star pie in the face for Puig
This is Dan Tullis and I just called …
“Mike Spellman.”
And here's what's on his mind:
TWTW:Yeah, I get the argument against it.Yasiel Puig has only been up with the Dodgers for a short time and having him represent the National League in the All-Star Game would have been a bit of a dis toward guys who have been playing all season.I don't buy it, though.If the goal is to win the game and cinch homefield advantage in the World Series #8212; and unfortunately it is #8212; my question is this: Didn't the NL stars have a better chance of winning the game with Puig on the roster?Garza bye bye the numbers:Forget about Matt Garza's 5-1 record, his 3.22 ERA or even his 1.07 WHIP since returning from injury.For my money, Garza's most impressive stat by far is his 98.2 PIFAR (Pie in the Face Annoyance Rating).Not gonna miss that when he's gone.Man of the hour:Josh Phegley.How fun has this guy been?Not taking the money and running:Item: New Jesey Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk retires from the NHL to return to his native Russia, and in the process walks away from $77 million left on his 15-year contract.Question: Which Chicago athletes do you wish would do the same thing?I can think of two right off the bat.Howl of a move:Nothing against his successors, but no one says the Chicago Wolves quite like John Anderson does.His rehiring as Wolves coach, which will be formally announced Tuesday, is a great move.The guy is a proven winner, having captured four championships in 11 seasons with the Wolves, and he's even better off the ice and behind the scenes.Weird science:I'm not a forensic scientist, nor do I play one on TV, but the fact that they can announce this week that they've come up with new evidence in the Boston Strangler case some 50 years later is simply amazing.Roger, Over:I forgot to mention last week my analogy concerning Corey Crawford working blue at the Blackhawks rally.Think of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the seemingly patient co-pilot Roger Murdock in #8220;Airplane.#8221; There he sat getting peppered nonstop by that annoying kid before finally snapping and telling him to #8220;tell your old man to try dragging Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes.#8221;All season long #8212; and even during the playoffs #8212; fans and media still questioned whether he should be replaced in net by Ray Emery.Crawford probably wished at the time he could've Murdocked them all, but instead he took the high road.Then at the rally he finally let loose.But:You know he'll return to his low-key, thoughtful ways once the new season begins.Solid weekend options:Million Preview Day on Saturday at Arlington Park or the John Deere Classic in all weekend in lovely Silvis, Ill.Or, hey, how about both?Bowled over:I've always thought the best on-site entertainment I've ever seen at any sporting event has been the cup-catching lady on the unicycle who has performed at various college and pro basketball games throughout the area.On Wednesday, the country got to see her in action on #8220;America's Got Talent,#8221; where her act received a standing O and a ticket to Las Vegas.Question:Why was I watching #8220;America's Got Talent?#8221;I really don't have a good answer for that.mspellman@dailyherald.com