Spellman’s Scorecard: Things won’t be the same for Bears

It’s weeks like this when I’m thankful for the diversion that is sports.

So, without further ado, let the nonsense begin.

Strange days ahead:It still hasn#146;t sunk in that when the Bears#146; season starts, Lovie Smith won#146;t be patrolling the sidelines and Brian Urlacher won#146;t be the man in the middle.I#146;m not complaining at all, mind you, just saying it will be weird.Always a Bear:And though he technically didn#146;t retire as a Bear, he retired as a free agent, Urlacher didn#146;t play for any other team, so in my eyes he retired a Bear.Yeah, you know what I mean.AARP, there it is:Trainer Wayne Lukas (77) and jockey Gary Stevens (50) team up to win the Preakness with Oxbow.Sweet.Now if only A.J. Foyt (78) and his driver Takuma Sato can work some magic this weekend and win the Indianapolis 500, we can all celebrate with an early dinner at the Rusty Scupper.What?Just sayin#146;:The Hawks#146; road whites might be my favorites unis in all of sports.Hope we get to see #146;em in action for a few more weeks.Things that are bugging me:Newscasts teasing to #147;rain in the forecast?#148;Anyone who is still overwhelmed by a drive-up ATM.The River Front Dodge radio guy#146;s accent. I just can#146;t figure it out, and it#146;s driving me crazy.Lost in the bustle:Vancouver fired coach Alain Vigneault.Good news or bad news for the Hawks?Breaking it down:You know it#146;s coming, the inevitable positional breakdown of the White Sox vs. Cubs leading up to the cross-town series.I asked a friend who has seen many games on both sides of town, and this was his breakdown: Sox bad, Cubs worse.My general breakdown would be this: Sox outfield and bullpen, Cubs infield, and as for the starting rotations? Flip a coin.Not hating the enemy:Besides the fact that he can flat-out coach, you gotta like the Red Wings#146; Mike Babcock. Not only does the guy tell it like it is, but he does it using coach-speak only about 17 percent of the time.Very rare.Question:So, Luol Deng is in what, his 18th season with the Bulls?True Champions:You always hear how Champions Tour golfers #147;get it.#148;To that I was always like #147;whatever.#148;But after talking to local Tour guys Jeff Sluman and Chip Beck this week at an event promoting the upcoming the Encompass Championship at stunning North Shore Country Club (June 17-23), I#146;m convinced.They do get it.BTW:Sluman, a Hinsdale resident, is a huge hockey fan. I think we talked Blackhawks more than golf.Real good guy.Catching on:Anthem singer Jim Cornelison#146;s signature move, a grand point of his arm toward the American flag to signify that it #147;was still there,#148; has caught on with many Blackhawks fans at the United Center who now do the move as well #151; whether they realize it or not.Interesting to watch.Saving the day:M.P. has been simply a Lion out of the bullpen.Star-studded Saturday:It should be some Saturday at Arlington Park.In addition to the solid cast of regulars, jockeys Garrett Gomez, Mike Smith, Shane Sellers and Joe Rocco Jr. also will be on hand for an afternoon card that features three $150,000 races.And finally ...:Whether you#146;re at AP, the UC, Indy or with family, have a great #151; and safe #151; Memorial Day weekend.mspellman@dailyherald.com