North: Who knew the Cubs would be this good?
OK, let's all fess up: we were wrong about the Cubs!
I looked at the record (71-51) and I couldn't believe it. I don't know if anyone predicted them for a wild-card spot or a first-place finish, but I know I didn't have them at 20 games over .500 at this point of the season.
I've commented before about the success of Joe Maddon, Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Jake Arrieta, but it's time to acknowledge a few other players who are getting the job done.
Center fielder Dexter Fowler is strong and quick, and his on-base percentage and composure are good for this team.
Also, Jason Hammill (7-5 3.35 ERA), John Lester (8-9 3.58 ERA) and Kyle Hendricks (6-5 4.03) round out a starting rotation after Arrieta (15-6 2.30 ERA) that gives the Cubs a chance in almost every game.
Who knew players such as Jorge Soler, Chris Coghlan, Kyle Schwarber and Fowler would be so steady? We now have real interest in baseball in September. I like the ending to this story.
Postgame Bears shows:
The Chicago Bears season just got even more interesting for me.
I am excited I'll be back on the local airwaves in Chicago hosting a Bears postgame show on The Drive 97.1-FM.
I would like to thank some people for this opportunity starting with Greg Solk, senior vice-president of programming for Hubbard Radio, who is not afraid to think outside the box. Also, a special thank you to my dear friend, Jeff Schwartz, now executive vice-president at Yahoo! Sports Radio.
I know there will be plenty of competition from other stations, but I can promise you I will tell it like it is and hold the Bears accountable.
The competition includes WSCR 670-AM, which will have Chicago Football editor Hub Arkush and two former Bears linemen, James "Big Cat" Williams and Olin Kreutz.
Also in the mix at WGN 720-AM are three former Bears: Ed O'Bradovich, Dan Hampton and Glen Kozlowski.
WBBM 780-AM will feature Ron Gleason with two former Bears, Jim Schwantz and Jay Hilgenberg.
ESPN 1000-AM will feature former Bears tackle Steve "Mongo" McMichael, Jeff Dickerson, Ben Finfer and one of my old partners, Fred Huebner.
As for me, I'll have the listeners as my co-hosts and I'm sure I'll be hearing from others as well as the great Dan McNeil, currently co-hosting with Pete McMurray mornings on The Drive.
I encourage you to try us all and let the chips fall where they may. One thing is certain, though, is that the postgame landscape just got more interesting!
Program notes:
Follow me on Twitter@ north2north, and listen to Fox Sports Daybreak with Andy Furman and myself from 5-8 a.m. Monday through Friday on Fox Sports radio, and check me out on iHeart radio or Foxsportsradio.com.
• North's column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.