Jim O’Donnell: 25 for ‘25 — a New Year’s Day spread of spotty sports sunshine
SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT, along with one of the worst years in the history of Chicago sports.
One team — the Cubs — over .500. One team — the Bulls — with any kind of postseason presence, however artificial. One once great sports city consistently now up the track.
Maybe Gov. JB Pritzker and the state legislature can enact a prohibitive sports rebuild tax in 2025.
Talk about a Bust Belt. Something's got to give. Cleveland's got it better. Don't think of bringing L.A., Kansas City or Boston into the conversation.
Eat 12 grapes under a table today for good luck — along with perusing a random buffet of the good, the OK and the oh-so contemporary in Chicago:
1. THE BEARS UPCOMING EXECUTIVE STUPOR BOWL SHUFFLE — What corporation would allow confused coal miners to design a skyscraper? … A.: The madcap one at 1920 Football Drive, Lake Forest, Illinois.
2. The inaugural CFP — Imperfect complement to the new Wild West of the unchained NIL/portal era. ... Keeping Alabama out was a move guaranteed to infuriate Forrest Gump purists everywhere.
3. Caitlin Clark left off of the U.S. Olympics team — There's dumb and then there is world-class nutty-ignorant. … For Naismith's sake, the unlikable collegian Christian Laettner was on the '92 Dream Team.
4. The Blackhawks — Which generated more advance enthusiasm — Tuesday's Winter Classic or the winter solstice? … Falling raindrops are a perfect representation of this team's progress. … Young Frank Nazar probably already pines to be back in Rockford.
5. Ryan Chiaverini — The son Mark Giangreco and Jerry Taft never had, the WLS-Channel 7 Sports mainstay should be seeking broader vistas. … Ditziness is now part of the fabric at the ABC o-and-o.
6. SNOOZE, CUBS, SNOOZE — Here's an NL Central reality: Take away Shota Imanaga and these were really a bland bunch of guys. … The clubhouse password should have been “languid.” … Before media access, they should invest in a few improv advisers to suggest credible diamond deadpans.
7. Tom Brady — Grossly overpaid Fox analyst is getting better all the time. … He's losing the pat Mr. Nice Guy facade and letting his hi-ego QB mind roll … TB's TV arc-up is killing his detractors.
8. Virginia McCaskey — Her 102nd birthday is Saturday.
9. Will Venable — New White Sox manager apparently did not study “Job Search Logic” at Princeton. … He may wind up making Pedro Grifol look like Tony La Russa.
10. Brad Underwood — Have NIL money and the transfer portal taken away the power alleys of Illinois' “Mr. February?” … He'll still have that charming sideline demeanor.
11. TOM WADDLE — Close to 30 years ago, the affable ex-Bear appeared on the express entrance ramp to Johnny Morris Media Highway. … Now he just slogs away with the draining drones at AM-1000.
12. Sports gaming touts — Laughable … Experts should hit 70% of their bets and anyone hitting 70% (a 37% return on investment) ain't going public with them. … At least Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder had gold chains and that oily Steubenville swarthiness.
13. Do the fathers of spotlighted young QBs text? — If the answer is “yes,” the release of the communications history between Carl (Caleb) Williams and Pablo (Justin) Fields could torch the McCaskey metaverse.
14. Pat Fitzgerald — Former Northwestern HC could be sitting on one of the most lucrative years of his life. … Big Q still lingering: Where was the Ryan family when the “enchanted” was suddenly taken out of Fitzgerald's lakefront?
15. Sean McDonough — Doesn't get the attention he deserves, but the droll ESPN ace is the most honest national play-by-play man in the business. … In terms of reigning corporate daintiness, all wrong for his era.
16. THE SKY — What spells summer in Chicago like street festivals, Cubs baseball and the WNBA? … Marketing reality is that the team has to sell 10,387 seats 20 times each season in a metro drawing area of 8M-plus. … Is Tyler Marsh the answer — or merely a $2,000 “Jeopardy!” response?
17. Chicago Sports Network — Geez, Jerry Reinsdorf and Comcast can't get it together. … That's like hearing Cher and Elon Musk are having trouble with a prenuptial agreement.
18. The 2024 Paris Olympics — Four months ago, right? … Highlight should have been Snoop Dogg communing with the spirit of Jim Morrison at Pere Lachaise Cemetery to plan an NBC Christmas special.
19. Pro Bawlers — Lonzo Ball has missed 183 of the last 197 Bulls regular-season games … Brother LaMelo, now with Charlotte, has been unavailable for 116 of the last 196. … Nice rehab if you can get it.
20. Dan Patrick — The best sports talk show in America. … In a land overrun with must-flee mediocrities, Patrick shows that there's still a place for intelligence, pace and fun. … A dying breed.
21. JOE MANSUETO — Just once, could Lionel Messi show up when Inter Miami CF has a game at Soldier Field? … Messi has disappointed large crowds in 2023 and 2024. … The driven Mansueto and his Chicago Fire FC deserve sweeter scores.
22. Dan Campbell — The ramblin', gamblin' ways of the Lions HC undoubtedly play well with Bob Seger peeps and the old Motown crowd. … But one of these January games, it's going to bite him on his Honolulu blue haunches.
23. Jason Benetti — Decision to tell the White Sox to shove their broadcast job one year ago couldn't have worked out better. … He didn't need a weatherman to tell which way the airwaves were blowing and he has proven broadcast talent travels — even to Detroit.
24. The 326 acres of Arlington Park — Local school boards should have asked for “championship certainty” before signing off on any tax breaks for the cloddish McMuffins. … Somewhere, Dick Duchossois is chortling — he took his racetrack with him.
25. AND TO FAITHFUL DAILY HERALD READERS — May all of your tickets in 2025 be comped (along with choice parking), your sports passions fulfilled and your children learn to organize their own outdoor play dates.
Jim O'Donnell's Sports and Media column appears each week on Sunday and Wednesday. Reach him at jimodonnelldh@yahoo.com. All communications may be considered for publication.