Imrem: Lots of reasons we should give thanks
In a relatively thankless Chicago sports year, fans here still have quite a bit to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day.
Like, for starters, Derrick Rose is running out of body parts he thinks are still injured.
Phil Emery didn't give Jay Cutler a lifetime contract.
The Blackhawks … just the Blackhawks.
Pat Hughes … just Pat Hughes.
There's no problem getting tickets to White Sox games.
No law says we have to claim either Northwestern or Illinois as Chicago's Big Ten football team.
We don't live in Ferguson.
The Bears aren't the Raiders or Jaguars … not yet anyway.
Taj Gibson ... just Taj Gibson.
Slashing, roughing and fighting in the NHL.
Murphy's, Bernie's and the CubbyBear in Wrigleyville.
Always going for it ... whatever “it” is ... on the South Side … for better or worse.
Mike Nichols for giving us “The Graduate.”
Jared Allen for donating time, energy and money to Wounded Warriors, and other Chicago athletes and teams doing the same for so many other worthy causes.
Tom Thibodeau continues to do … his … job.
Andrew Shaw.
Javier Baez struck out in fewer than 50 percent of his at-bats.
Chris Sale's arm remains attached to his shoulder.
We don't live in Buffalo.
Brandon Marshall is one of a kind, thank goodness.
Carlos Boozer moved somewhere warmer for the winter and Pau Gasol moved somewhere colder.
Rocky as in Hockey isn't an ice chip off the old block.
The longer it takes Kris Bryant to arrive in the big leagues the more he's as popular as a backup quarterback we never get to see.
There's a CTA line from Havana to Chicago and Jose Abreu didn't miss his bus.
No athlete here has Bill Cosby's image problems.
The 'Skins make the Bears look functional.
Chuck Swirsky … just Chuck Swirsky.
“Chelsea Dagger” … duh-duh-duh duh-duh-duh … .
Joe Maddon, bless him, for being naive enough to believe the Cubs will win a World Series in my lifetime.
Jose Quintana ... just Jose Quintana.
Marc Trestman's offense and news conferences let us catch up on our sleep.
Nikola Mirotic's beard isn't contagious.
Jonathan Toews was born all grown up and Patrick Kane is getting there.
Jake Arrieta ... just Jake Arrieta.
Avisail means “five tools” in Spanish.
The Stars.
And the Stripes.
The Bears' BBQ LB.
Basketball books like “If These Walls Could Talk” by Kent McDill on the Bulls' dynasty and “There is No Next” by Sam Smith on Michael Jordan.
Corey Crawford often plays like an elite goalie on an elite team.
Shortstops like Alexei Ramirez and Starlin Castro are here temporarily or permanently.
Late-night humor.
Matt Forte ... just Matt Forte.
Jimmy Butler cleared out the shelves at the local Points ‘R' Us.
Hoss is boss even when he's in a goal-scoring slump.
Ronnie Woo-Woo bobblehead dolls … seriously, Ronnie Woo-Woo bobblehead dolls.
Minnie Minoso still looks like he could solve the Sox' left-field problem.
In the spirit of the season, thanks even to the Reinsdorfs, McCaskeys, Wirtzes and Rickettses.
We don't live in Kabul.
Elena Delle Donne ... just Elena Delle Donne.
Thanks for tomorrow, the next day, the next day and whatever they might bring.
Happy Thanksgiving for all of this and all of that and all the best to all of you and all of yours.
mimrem@dailyherald.com