North: White Sox were reasonable with LaRoche
Time for some random thoughts.
• While the “family first” mantra is a beautiful thing and Adam LaRoche is clearly a great dad, I don't think the request locker room request to “dial it back” by the White Sox is unreasonable.
LaRoche, 36, has decided to retire from baseball after Sox vice president Kenny Williams asked him to not bring his 14-year-old son to the locker room as much as he has.
If LaRoche wants to walk away from the remaining $13 million on his contract, fine, but I think your team and the organization should count for something too.
• While the White Sox are making news for the wrong reasons, the Cubs seem to be under the radar and that's a good thing. I know it won't stay that way for long.
• Let's get the hockey playoffs started because I know the Blackhawks are bored.
• If you are keeping track of the injury-prone Derrick Rose, he played 29 minutes in the 117-96 loss to the Washington Wizards. His injury du jour? Groin.
• I want to thank Jarrett Payton and the great crew at CLTV. I visited them Wednesday night on “ Sports Feed,” and also ran into Chicago Wolves PR Director Lindsey Willhite and defenseman Petteri Lindbohm there.
• LeBron James decided to take off Wednesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Cavs managed to win 99-98, but what about the kid who attends only one game a year and is disappointed because LeBron didn't play? And why doesn't basketball commissioner Adam Silver say anything while LeBron has plenty of energy to film commercials or flies to Miami to work out with Dwyane Wade?
Michael Jordan always played. Jordan felt the responsibility to perform for the fans, and I think Stephen Curry feels the same way.
I know Gregg Popovich, coach of the San Antonio Spurs, started this (resting players) but LeBron is the face of the NBA along with Curry. It's just a bad optic.
• The Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club opens April 7, and opening day for the MLB begins April 3. Can't wait!
• A belated Happy St. Patrick's Day to all and also Happy St. Joseph's Day on Saturday.
• FYI: No one is beating Golden State.
• Why are the New England Patriots picking up Bears players? Well, because Bill Belichick is the coach. Tight end Martellus Bennett and linebacker Shea McClellin are great pickups for the Pats.
• I went to Northwestern the other day to see Curie play the Notre Dame Dons in the Sweet 16 in high school basketball tournament. Curie beat my Dons, 65-62. Congrats to both teams and my pal, coach Tom Les, whose teams are always there at playoff time.
• I talked with athletic director Jim Phillips of Northwestern and the arrow seems to be pointing up for the Wildcats basketball program as they continue to get better every year under Chris Collins. Next year it's time to make it to the NCAA tournament.
Enjoy the tournament!
Program notes:
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