Back in the day takes back seat to new reality

Different world:The Brian Urlacher-Danieal Manning fiasco would never have arisen back in the day.Not a chance.But the bottom line is: this isn#146;t back in the day anymore.Hey:I don#146;t like when basketball players get mid-fives from teammates after missed free throw attempts or when football players celebrate a sack or a TFL while being blown out, but it happens all the time.Welcome to the new reality.The bottom line:Players care. They really do. But fans will always care a little more.Ugly history:The last time the Bears won on the road in San Francisco was 1985.Since then, they#146;ve been outscored 239-42 in seven games at Candlestick Park.Ouch. But ... :The next time they#146;ll win on the road in San Francisco will be Monday night ... Jay Cutler or not.Speaking of Cutler:Still can#146;t believe the NFL didn#146;t buy Tim Dobbins#146; #147;He ran into me#148; excuse for the vicious hit he laid on the Bears QB.The league#146;s $30,000 fine seems just about right.Concussion discussion:Cutler, Konerko, Toews ... wish it would end there, but it won#146;t.A numbers game:Hard to argue with Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera being named the AL MVP.Pretty sure one Mr. Trout will be collecting a few of those trophies in the years to come.Question:Am I the only guy in the world who isn#146;t part of an a capella group made up of eight friends from college?Nothing but the hits:Tension between NASCAR drivers Clint Bowyer and Jeff Gordon on the track in Phoenix and members of both their crews in the garage area afterward made for some absolutely fascinating TV.NASCAR can only hope the Chase finale is as riveting.Fun with numbers:According to Pregame.com, prior to Tuesday#146;s mega-player trade, odds on the Toronto Blue Jays to win the World Series were as high as 100-to-1. After Tuesday#146;s trade (assuming the Commish OKs it), the Blue Jays are now as low as 15-to-1.The countdown:Ten days for the new sod to take hold at Soldier Field.Hope it#146;s done correctly because no one, and I mean no one, wants to face the Wrath of Robbie again.Fun with technology:Safeco Field will soon be home to the largest video board in all of baseball.Meanwhile:Wrigley Field remains home to dozens of Magnavox 27-inchers hanging throughout the facility.Good move:The White Sox announcing discounted prices for all 13 Sunday home games.That includes seats and parking.Not too shabby:Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch on Wednesday became the first player in the history of NCAA Division I (FBS) football to record more than 400 passing yards and more than 150 rushing yards in the same game. Goodbye Toledo, indeed.BTW:How fun would an Oregon vs. Texas AM matchup be?The voice of reason:#147;I feel like sometimes the guys get a little bit of a hall pass because they say, #145;I#146;m working on it.#146; Well, you are not working on it very hard.#148;#151; FedEx Cup champion Brandt Snedeker, on slow play on the PGA Tour.One last thing:Here#146;s hoping you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving.