North: There aren't any guarantees, but Cubs are looking good
The Chicago Cubs got the vitamin B-12 shot they needed for the second half of the season when they acquired Aroldis Chapman from the New York Yankees.
Granted, he didn't start off well with an awkward news conference, but they didn't sign him to be the great communicator. They signed him because he throws over 100 miles per hour and has a 1.78 ERA with 3 wins and 19 saves this season.
Cubs president Theo Epstein saw Chapman as the final piece to the championship World Series puzzle, knowing only too well no team wins without a solid closer.
Of course, the signing does not guarantee a ring because there are no guarantees in baseball or any sport for that matter. The Seattle Mariners won 116 games in 2001, yet there is no World Series banner flying from Safeco Field.
Yes, it looks like the Cubs organization has covered all the bases and now it's up to the manager and the players to deliver. Joe Maddon seems to have the guys on track, so buckle up kids because they have it all, and that's about as close as you will get to a guarantee.
Will Bears play with an edge?
I love hearing that Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long is upset people aren't taking his team more seriously. Why? Because that means he will play with a chip on his shoulder this season.
Good. But how about the rest of the players?
If Long was on the outside looking in at a team with a 6-10 record in 2015 as we are, he might feel differently.
Remember this is a team that lost a quality running back in Matt Forte, a solid tight end in Martellus Bennett and a good offensive coordinator in Adam Gase.
That said, the 2006 Bears went to the Super Bowl. Did they seem Super Bowl-worthy?
Not really, and that trip was such a surprise to many that the big game has been pretty much forgotten.
Why? Well, first because they lost 29-17 to the Indianapolis Colts. Secondly, fans felt some disbelief it was really happening.
How Lovie Smith and Rex Grossman got them there still amazes me. That defense, however, deserves to be saluted.
Cutler today is an upgrade from Grossman, but a Super Bowl is a real long shot. I hope they go out and surprise us all.
2016 Olympics belonged here:
With the 2016 Olympics fast approaching, I continue to hear the talk about security, sewage and water problems, lack of proper facilities and the venue being incomplete.
It has been an ongoing story and venue completions were almost always a problem in the past. Usually, though, the problems dissolved in time and I'm not sure if that will happen in Brazil.
I do know if the greedy IOC had handled it fairly, the athletes would be participating right here in Chicago!
Have a good weekend!
Program notes:
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