North: Ventura deserves to return if White Sox finish above .500
Back from a long weekend, so it's time to share some random thoughts.
• The general manager of the White Sox, Rick Hahn, says he won't second-guess Robin Ventura. It was the right thing to say, especially after their recent seven-game losing streak.
The bullpen is tired and the handling of the pitching staff has been questioned by some, but the Sox look to be back on track with two big wins versus the New York Mets on the road.
I still believe, however, that if Ventura has an over .500 record and / or gets the White Sox to the playoffs, as hard as it may seem right now, he should get a new deal. The Sox are currently above .500.
• How many fans would love to see the Bulls clean house and sign super star free agent Kevin Durant? I know I would, and please don't tell me Derrick Rose is better.
• I'm writing before the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers open the NBA finals, but here's my prediction: Warriors win the series 4-2.
• Fans of Jordan Spieth and Rory Mcllroy are as delusional as the Tiger Woods' fans who thought Woods would break Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 majors.
I have mentioned before that Rory and Jordan don't measure up to Tiger or Jack and some people have been offended.
Listen, it's simple: both men lack the aura of invincibility that Tiger and Jack possessed. Sure, they will win their share of majors, but like pro golfer and on-air analyst Nick Faldo said last week after Spieth won the Dean and DeLuca Invitational, it's good for Jordan but it's not like he won the Masters or the Players.
• The Cubs are like a machine and Jon Lester, at 6-3 with a 2.29 ERA and a 2-1 victory over the LA Dodgers Wednesday night, is simply in the zone.
• Ken Starr did the right thing by firing himself from the chancellor position at Baylor after sexual assault allegations, some against athletes, caused a shake-up at the university. I don't think he should continue to teach there as a law professor — it's time for him to relocate.
• Am I the only one that thinks “Mystery, Alaska” is an underrated sports movie? It's about the New York Rangers playing a hockey team from a small town in Alaska of only 633 residents called Mystery.
• There's trouble brewing between Alabama coach Nick Saban and Michigan's Jim Harbaugh over of all things satellite camps. I sense these guys don't like each other. Stay tuned …
Program notes:
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