Hawks' captain adds meaning to his words
Definition of a captain:After a dull shutout loss in St. Louis last week, Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews was about as upset as he's ever been.#8220;We just have to get rid of that laziness, play harder and help each other out there,#8221; he said. #8220;You don't key on past games, but you have to learn from them and learn from them fast.#8221;When Toews is a man on a mission, look out.In the four games since, the captain has 5 goals and 3 assists and the Hawks have gone 4-0, including a thumping of Vancouver on Wednesday. One word:Leadership.Dale Sveum it is!Gotta trust Theo on this one.What's in a name:How you get Swaym out of Sveum is beyond me, but this is coming from a guy who never accepted that Favre is actually pronounced Farve.Seems too easy:The Bears are rolling, the Chargers are struggling.The Bears cruise Sunday, right?Right?Blame game:Trying to figure out who's to blame over the NBA lockout is like trying to figure out why those nonsensical photos of random people often accompany web site ads.It's almost impossible to figure. Ratings battle:In their prime time showdown this week, the Gabby Giffords interview scored a 9.0 overnight rating while the Jerry Sandusky horseplay fest earned just a 3.0.Two words:Thank goodness.Amaze your friends!!Oh, you know the question is going to come up Sunday: why are the Chargers called the Chargers?Well, OK, it probably won't, but if it does, you'll be ready.The answer:It would seem obvious with the lightning bolt on the helmet, but don't be fooled.According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame: #8220;(Owner) Barron Hilton agreed after his general manager, Frank Ready picked the Chargers name when he purchased an AFL franchise for Los Angeles. The Chargers played in Los Angeles in 1960 and moved to San Diego in 1961. #8220;I liked it because they were yelling #8216;charge' and sounding the bugle at Dodgers Stadium and at USC games.#8221;I know, I know:Borderline fascinating.Special K:Patrick Kane turns 23 on Saturday.Only 23?How great is that? (Almost) less than zero:The odds of Mark Buehrle wearing Cubs blue next season.Alternative viewing:If ever you were to flip away from the NFL to NASCAR for a little bit, Sunday would be the day. The #8220;Chase#8221; finale should be something special.The right stuff:The White Sox may have struggled on the field last season, but off the field? Not so much.They were just named the recipients of the Commissioner's Award for Philanthropic Excellence for their #8220;White Sox Volunteer Corps#8221; program.Nice.Complete shutdown:Can't believe I'll be attempting a complete news blackout in order to watch the Presidents Cup on tape delay .... but I will.Taking off:The Houston Astros are off to join the American League West in 2013.Mark my words: the Astros-Oakland A's rivalry is going to be something to watch for years to come. Bunch of clowns:With the Hawks on the road while the circus invades the United Center, I've come to the realization that I don't know anyone who has ever gone to see it.Way too early, but #8230;:Happy Thanksgiving!#376; Mike Spellman's Scorecard column appears Fridays in the Daily Herald.