Author: staff
PHOENIX — The Chicago Cubs hoped Nico Hoerner’s fluke injury wouldn’t require time on the injured list.Unfortunately for Hoerner, the Cubs couldn’t continue to wait and see how his ankle progressed as they deal with thin infield depth. So Hoerner went on the 10-day IL with a right ankle sprain before Sunday’s series finale in Arizona.AdvertisementThe Cubs activated shortstop Andrelton Simmons off the IL. Simmons spent the Cubs’ first 34 days sidelined with right shoulder soreness, an issue that emerged shortly after he signed in March.Hoerner hurt his ankle getting tangled with second base umpire Dan Iassogna during an outfield collision in the first inning Tuesday in San Diego. He remained in the game, striking out in the top of the second before leaving in the bottom of the inning. Hoerner had not appeared in a game since then.AdvertisementHoerner can’t seem to catch a break. It’s the fifth time in the last two seasons the 25-year-old infielder spent time on the IL. He was getting in a groove before the fluky injury, hitting .305 with a 328 on-base percentage to accompany stellar defense to anchor the Cubs’ middle infield.Simmons wasn’t in the lineup Sunday, but should provide defensive stability at shortstop for however long Hoerner is sidelined. Simmons went 2-for-24 with seven strikeouts and two walks in six rehab games at Triple-A Iowa.
MLB’s broadcasts aren’t just play by play and commentary of the action on the field.We get little stories of the broadcast teams’ personal lives. We get umpires that actually make the home crowd happy … and a happy crowd that does funny things.AdvertisementSo every week this season, we’re rounding up some of our favorite hilarious, botched, and/or outlandish calls and moments over baseball’s broadcasts.Advertisement
PHOENIX — When Willson Contreras came to the plate in the ninth inning Saturday, he was sporting his first three-strikeout game of the season.But that didn’t carry into his plate appearance that sparked the Chicago Cubs’ 4-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Contreras’ eight-pitch lead-off walk against closer Mark Melancon led to a three-run ninth inning and, despite the earlier strikeouts, continued a sizzling start to the season with free agency months away.AdvertisementManager David Ross attributes Contreras’ success and maturation to being comfortable with himself and understanding what he can control.“This is as good as I think I may have ever seen Willson. … Super happy with where he’s at right now physically, mentally,” Ross said. “I think he knows he’s going to be a really good major-league player for a really long time. He’s going to make a lot of money, and he’s just focused on helping support his teammates and having a really good season and having fun playing baseball. And I’ve seen that pretty much every day.”AdvertisementContreras leads all big-league catchers in numerous offensive categories, including batting average (.286), wOBA (.397) and wRC+ (155). He believes he’s making the right mental adjustment in the batter’s box, looking to create contact with every plate appearance.[ [Don’t miss] Willson Contreras’ bigger Chicago Cubs leadership role is fueled by years of listening — and putting in work ]This approach has resulted in striking out less — his 19.7 K% is currently almost 9% lower than last year — and walking more. Contreras has reached base in 18 of his last 19 games and he has only struck out more than once three times in 27 games. And when he’s making contact, Contreras is hitting the ball hard. His 49.3 HardHit% leads the majors while his 116.2 mph exit velocity is a career high and seventh-best in the league.Willson Contreras reacts after scoring the go-ahead run during the ninth inning against the Diamondbacks on May 14, 2022. (Chris Coduto/AP)But perhaps most importantly: Contreras is hitting the ball to the opposite field at a career-high clip.“I realized what brought me to the big leagues was to make contact to the opposite way,” Contreras said Saturday. “I did it in Double A, did it Triple A, that’s what made me a better hitter.“My mindset right now is to try to make contact and whatever happens after that, I can’t control that. It’s keeping it simple at home plate.”In the past, going the opposite way has typically been a good indicator of when Contreras is locked in. Except now, he’s doing it at a career-high level over an extended stretch. Only two big leaguers are hitting the ball to the opposite field at a greater clip than his 37.3%, according to FanGraphs.Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.Part of that approach stems from Contreras valuing being a good all-around hitter and wanting quality contact. How teams pitch to him can determine his approach, but hitting coach Greg Brown credited Contreras for doing his homework on pitchers and applying it in-game.[ [Don’t miss] Column: Anthony Rizzo has no regrets over his ‘bad breakup’ with the Chicago Cubs — ‘I wish them well’ ]“Willson is one of the most talented hitters I’ve ever been around, and it’s because of that ability to drive the ball the other way, it’s the ability to take his hips the other way,” Brown said. “He’s got enough bat speed and he understands space where he doesn’t need to try to pull a ball. He can create to the big part of the field and I think that’s what you’re seeing.Advertisement“Even when his numbers weren’t there necessarily at the beginning, he was steadfast on staying in the process of knowing that better days were coming.”Willson Contreras flips his bat after earning a walk as Diamondbacks catcher Daulton Varsho pauses at home plate during the first inning on May 13, 2022. (Ross D. Franklin/AP)The addition of the designated hitter to the National League and the Cubs having a backup catcher of Yan Gomes’ stature has allowed Ross to keep Contreras’ bat in the lineup while reducing the wear and tear from everyday catching. That means Contreras gets more days like Saturday when he starts as the DH and can focus solely on his hitting.Contreras, who turned 30 on Friday, seemingly hasn’t let his contract situation and impending free agency affect his performance. He still has an arbitration hearing next month to determine his 2022 salary. Since he reported to spring training, Contreras made clear his focus was on the season and not worrying about his future or inking a big contract extension. He is clearly at peace with whatever his future holds, whether that’s getting traded this summer or experiencing free agency for the first time in his career.It helps that Contreras knew how he wanted to take on the season. He watched firsthand last year as longtime teammates Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Javier Báez dealt with the same situation. Contreras recalled hearing contract stuff discussed within the clubhouse nearly every day and realized he did not want to replicate that this year.“I don’t want my team to lose focus on winning the game or playing the game hard — I don’t want different people to be bothered by my personal stuff,” Contreras said. “That’s something personal. I don’t think anybody needs to need to hear what I think, needs to know what my thoughts are. But I’m glad that I watched them go through it and I learned from it.”
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Federal agents interviewed the parents of the teenager accused of shooting and killing 10 people at a Buffalo supermarket and served multiple search…
The 2021-22 Chicago Blackhawks season probably has faded from fans’ memories already — because who really wants to remember anything that transpired on — or off — the ice during that turbulent time?The team would rather have fans look forward as they begin to reinvent the franchise, including introducing potential season ticket holders to their hockey operations’ new executive team Monday during an event at the United Center Concert Club.AdvertisementThat braintrust includes general manager Kyle Davidson and associate GMs Norm Maciver and Jeff Greenberg.And likely in attendance will be Brian Campbell, who still doesn’t have an official title but has been a fixture at Davidson’s side since October.Advertisement“I’ve always wanted to bring people in around me that bring different perspectives,” Davidson said in April, adding that Campbell and Maciver were former players, while Greenberg was a Cubs executive. “Looking forward, I’d like to take that outside hockey, definitely outside the Blackhawks, and really build that breadth of expertise.”Davidson also is keeping his eye on how some of the younger Hawks perform during the AHL Calder Cup playoffs. The Rockford IceHogs advanced to face the Chicago Wolves in a best-of-five divisional semifinal series that started Thursday.“It’s an exciting time and it’s a great opportunity for us to really enhance our evaluation and understanding of where they’re at,” Davidson said.Here are the key dates and topics to track for the Blackhawks offseason.May 29-June 4: NHL scouting combine at the KeyBank Center and LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo, N.Y.June 30: Last possible date of the Stanley Cup Final.July 1: First buyout period begins.July 2: First deadline for teams electing salary arbitration to notify.July 7-8: NHL draft at the Montreal Canadiens’ Bell Centre.July 11: Deadline for qualifying offers.July 12: Restricted free agents may contact teams; first buyout period ends; last day for teams to offer their unrestricted free agents eight-year deals.July 13: Restricted and unrestricted free-agent signing period begins; players may accept qualifying offers.July 17: Deadline for players electing salary arbitration to notify.July 18: Second deadline for teams electing salary arbitration to notify.July 22: Qualifying offers expire automatically.July 27-Aug. 11: Salary arbitration hearings period.The Hawks lost their first-round pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets when lottery-ball luck bounced the New Jersey Devils’ way — the team slotted just above them before the drawing.Under the terms of the Seth Jones trade, the Hawks needed to win one of the top two spots to keep the pick, but those picks went to the Montreal Canadiens and Devils, respectively.But the grass might be greener in 2023.The consensus among experts is that next year’s draft class is stronger and deeper.AdvertisementThe Hawks could have as many as four picks in the first two rounds if they land the Tampa Bay Lightning’s top-10 protected first-round pick (which is likely unless some disaster befalls the Bolts next season), courtesy of the Brandon Hagel trade.The Hawks also own the Lightning’s second-round pick, part of the acquisition of Tyler Johnson that allowed the Lightning to use Brent Seabrook’s contract for salary-cap relief.ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 21Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz and CEO Danny Wirtz introduce Kyle Davidson as their new general manager with Jaime Faulkner, president of business operations, on March 1, 2022, at the United Center. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)With the Blue Jackets getting the Hawks’ 2022 first-round pick, the Hawks keep their 2023 first-rounder, and with a full-blown rebuild in effect they could be in the lottery again.Draft experts are as wild about Regina Pats center Connor Bedard as they were about Connor McDavid. Another top center prospect, Adam Fantilli, plays with the USHL Chicago Steel and physically fits the mold of players the Hawks want in the future.Sweden’s Leo Carlsson is a center-wing who has size at 6-foot-3 and can skate. And keep an eye on 5-10 left-handed Winnipeg Ice forward Zach Benson, whom TSN analyst and former Calgary Flames general manager Craig Button called “Patrick Kane-esque.”“I always said this about Patrick Kane: He’s got the guts of a cat burglar,” Button said. “Zach Benson has those qualities.”AdvertisementBut those prospects are for down the road — the Hawks must start with the draft capital they have in 2022.Québec Remparts center Nathan Gaucher (6-3, 207 pounds) is a physical two-way forward with scoring ability who could fall to the Hawks at No. 39.Noah Östlund torched the U.S. for two goals May 1 to help Sweden win gold at the IIHF under-18 World Championship.Draft-watchers have noted London Knights defenseman Isaiah George (6-0, 195) is a smooth and efficient skater who makes good decisions in the defensive zone and is versatile enough to play special teams.The Hawks might want to shy away from smallish skill players, but even at 5-foot-11 and 172 pounds, forward David Goyette’s combination of puck handling and vision could be hard to pass up in the second round. The fact he wears No. 88 and plays for Davidson’s hometown Sudbury Wolves is just a bonus.AdvertisementNorth Barrington native Lane Hutson is undersized (5-8, 148), but the defenseman led the U.S. national development under-18 team with 53 assists, something to consider given the Hawks finished in the bottom three in points by defensemen two seasons in a row.At least this year Davidson and his new front office will benefit from having a scouting combine after the previous two were canceled because of the pandemic.Teams also had fewer junior and tournament games to evaluate players, but Nolan Allan impressed then-Hawks GM Stan Bowman at the IIHF under-18 world championship in Texas — including when he plowed Russia’s Nikita Chibrikov into the bench early in the gold medal game.“He’s got the size, the skating and the physicality,” Bowman said after drafting Allen 32nd overall last year. “He was a big workhorse for the Canadian team that won the gold medal.”Fast-forward to this month, when Allan and second-round pick Colton Dach earned assignments to the Rockford IceHogs for the AHL playoffs.Even if Allan doesn’t play, it’s another phase of his development.Advertisement“That doesn’t matter for me,” Allan said this month. “There’s other guys, they played here the whole year so they deserve to play.“It’s just soaking everything in and using this as experience.”Chicago Blackhawks coach Derek King looks at players after a Minnesota Wild goal in the second period at the United Center, Feb. 2, 2022. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)Davidson set early July as a target for a candidate list and the middle of the month to settle on his choice.“We want to be pretty nimble with it,” Davidson said. “So much going on at the same time right now.”Davidson laid out some of the characteristics he’s looking for in a coach during a May 3 briefing with reporters.“We want the coaches that are able to communicate, able to drive a message and create a positive culture and get players to want to come to the rink and compete every single night,” he said. “And that’s based on track record and that’s also based on how they deliver a message, so we’ll learn that based on what they’ve done in the past but also through the interview process.”AdvertisementOne might think, given Derek King’s 27-33-10 finish as interim coach and Davidson’s firing of assistant coaches Marc Crawford and Rob Cookson, that King might be at a disadvantage to get the permanent gig, but Davidson dismissed that notion.“It doesn’t impact Derek at all,” he said. “He’s going to be a candidate in the coaching search.“With respect to Marc and Rob, we want to have a bit of a clean slate as we go into the next … coaching regime.”Outside of King, it’s an interesting landscape.Could the Hawks take a hard look at Barry Trotz, recently fired by the New York Islanders, or longtime understudy Lane Lambert? Rick Tocchet could be another to watch if the Philadelphia Flyers don’t get to him first. John Tortorella comes with a wealth of experience (and baggage) and was Jones’ coach in Columbus.In his first season as an NHL assistant coach, 40-year-old Spencer Carbery guided the Toronto Maple Leafs’ power play to a No. 1 regular-season finish (27.3%). As bench boss of the Hershey Bears, he was named AHL’s Most Outstanding Coach in 2020-21 after finishing with the league’s best record.AdvertisementRocky Thompson, a former Wolves head coach, had to step away from his position as San Jose Sharks associate coach in September because he couldn’t take the COVID-19 vaccine for an undisclosed medical reason. Is that issue resolved?Derek Lalonde helped collect back-to-back Stanley Cups as assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning.Marco Sturm, 43, aided the Los Angeles Kings’ turnaround as an assistant. His deep ties to German hockey could help him make an instant connection with Lukas Reichel.Defensemen Seth and Caleb Jones and forward Sam Lafferty are playing for the U.S. team in the IIHF Men’s World Championship, which started Friday and runs through May 29. Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat declined to participate.Caleb Jones hopes to make a case to be re-signed by the Hawks.“Obviously playing with Seth is a bonus, but what they’re trying to do here, they’re trying to rebuild a little bit and maybe look for a little bit younger guys coming up that can contribute for the future, and I think I fit that mold,” he said in late April.AdvertisementLafferty felt “a lot of satisfaction” after being rewarded with a two-year extension ($1.15 million cap hit) on April 29.“It’s nice to have that (security), but at the end of the day, you’ve got to improve and get better,” Lafferty said. “When you stop doing that, you’re in trouble. The process doesn’t change.”Chicago Blackhawks center Dylan Strome (17) celebrates his hat trick in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at the United Center, March 8, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)Davidson hasn’t outright said the Hawks are out of the unrestricted free-agent market, but it’s a safe bet given the plans for an overhaul.“I would say it’s unlikely we’re going to sign some long-term deals. Very unlikely,” he said. “But that’s not to say we won’t fill some spots in the UFA market if the right opportunity presents itself.”Just don’t expect anything splashy.Davidson has made it clear he probably is going to be stingy with cap space — which he might need down the line when the team becomes competitive again.Advertisement“We’ve been in a situation for so long that we’ve had none,” he said. “It would be nice to have some and really be able to dictate how we use our budget and use our salary-cap dollars from a strategic standpoint rather than just being reactive to it.”Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.With the Hawks trying to preserve cap space, will it affect their willingness to spend on Dylan Strome and Dominik Kubalík, two restricted free agents with arbitration rights?“It definitely goes into the conversation,” Davidson said. “Any time a player is due for a raise or a new contract, you have to be looking not just for the next season but for the seasons moving forward.“That definitely goes into the decision-making process when it comes to any RFA or UFA or player you’re going to bring in or contract you’re going to sign.”Free agents: Defensemen Erik Gufstafsson, Calvin de Haan (unrestricted), Caleb Jones (restricted, arbitration eligible), Wyatt Kalynuk (restricted, arbitration eligible, currently in AHL); forwards Kirby Dach (restricted), Philipp Kurashev (restricted), Dylan Strome (restricted, arbitration eligible), Dominik Kubalík (restricted, arbitration eligible); goalies Kevin Lankinen (unrestricted), Collin Delia (unrestricted).AdvertisementUnder contract: forwards Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Jonathan Toews, Tyler Johnson, Sam Lafferty, Taylor Raddysh, Henrik Borgström, Reese Johnson, MacKenzie Entwistle, Boris Katchouk, Jujhar Khaira (long-term injured reserve), Lukas Reichel (currently in AHL), Brett Connolly (currently in AHL); defensemen Seth Jones, Jake McCabe, Riley Stillman, Alex Vlasic; and goalie Arvid Söderblom (currently in AHL).Eligible for extension: Kane, Toews, DeBrincat, Borgstrom, Khaira, Connolly.
A decade ago, Chicago was on the verge of getting its first-ever casino, a controversial idea that nevertheless received legislative approval before it was vetoed by…
Would you like to dress up your tree with a garden around it? That’s fine — as long as it consists of compatible plants in the ground, and is not a raised planter.Raised planters are a common sight around the bases of trees. They are often built of pavers, bricks or stones and filled with soil and plants. But they’re not a good idea: “That can do the tree serious harm,” said Stephanie Adams, a plant pathologist in plant health care at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle.AdvertisementConstructing a planter around the trunk of a tree risks seriously harming the tree. (Morton Arboretum)The bed will bury the bottom part of the tree’s trunk in moist soil and mulch, encouraging diseases and infections. “It’s a favorable environment for fungi, which are the primary cause of most plant diseases,” Adams said.“The bark of a tree is meant to be above ground where it can stay dry,” she said.AdvertisementA raised planter can also smother the tree’s roots by piling soil too deep on top of them. Tree roots normally grow just a few inches below the soil’s surface, where air and water can readily filter down to reach them. Piling a foot or more of soil on top of the roots can cut them off from the air and water they need.What can you do around the base of a tree without damaging it? Here are some suggestions from Adams:Spread mulch. A wide, level area of mulch on the soil around a tree has many benefits. It insulates the soil against extreme temperatures. It prevents moisture from evaporating during hot weather. As the mulch decays, it enriches the soil for plants’ roots. “Just be sure it’s not too deep or heaped against the trunk,” Adams said. Spread your mulch in an even layer 3 to 4 inches deep, and right at the base of the tree, keep it 2 to 3 inches away from the bark of the trunk. “If you have a garden under your tree, those plants can share the mulch patch,” she said.Grow good companions. Trees can coexist happily with many kinds of plants. After all, they don’t grow alone in the forest. However, it’s important to choose carefully. Tree companions must be shade-tolerant species, because they will be under the tree’s branches in summer. They should be perennials or woody plants that last for years. “Long-lived plants don’t cause as much damage to the tree’s roots because you don’t have to dig all the time,” Adams said.Adams likes small shrubs, such as compact cultivated varieties of hardy hydrangea. It’s best to plant them early in the life of the tree, so you aren’t digging large holes among established tree roots.Many shade-garden perennials also work well, such as hostas, brunnera, ferns, columbine, and lungwort. “Perennials will improve the soil, because they contribute organic matter when they die back each winter,” she said. Add spring bloom with long-lived bulbs like early-flowering varieties of daffodils and shade-tolerant squill, puschkinia, snowdrops or glory-of-the-snow. Low-growing plants often used as ground covers include Canadian wild-ginger, sweet woodruff, bishop’s wort (Epimedium) and spotted dead-nettle (Lamium maculatum). Find more inspiration by visiting the Arboretum’s Ground Cover Garden (mortonarb.org/explore).Use containers for annual flowers. Impatiens and begonias are not good choices around a tree, because digging to plant these annuals in the ground every year damages the tree’s roots again and again. Instead, use these colorful flowers in containers filled with potting mix. Set the pots under the tree on plant stands or elevate them on bricks or sticks so they don’t block water and air from flowing through the soil to the tree’s roots.Give up on grass. Turf grass grows poorly under trees because it requires sun, and trees create shade. It’s also not good for the tree, because it competes too much with the tree roots. “Perennials and shrubs grow in clumps, so the tree’s roots can find a way in between them,” Adams said. “Grass roots are more like a blanket that blocks everything.” Replace grass under a tree with mulch or a perennial garden.AdvertisementAvoid edging. Let your garden or mulched area have a soft, natural boundary rather than pounding metal or plastic edging into the soil around a tree. “The edging can interfere with tree roots,” Adams said. If the roots are trapped by the edging, they start to circle inside it rather than stretching out from the tree the way they should. Over time, circling roots can begin to strangle the tree’s trunk. “Skip the edging and let your tree’s roots grow free,” she said.For tree and plant advice, contact the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum (630-719-2424, mortonarb.org/plant-clinic, or plantclinic@mortonarb.org). Beth Botts is a staff writer at the Arboretum.
Rich Strike was not one of the top five stories in the run-up to the Kentucky Derby; he was probably not one of the top 50.No one even knew he would be in the race until the morning before, and a quick glance at his record would have told us he probably did not belong.AdvertisementAll of that changed in a matter of seconds as we watched him burst from off-screen and out of our realm of awareness to pass dueling favorites Epicenter and Zandon in the stretch run. Not only did Rich Strike become the second longest shot ever to win the Derby, he introduced us to a second-generation trainer named Eric Reed, who had nearly lost his stable to a fire six years earlier.Then, just as quickly as he became the star of the Triple Crown stage, he exited it, removed from Preakness consideration by Reed and owner Rick Dawson, who said they would rather let Rich Strike rest up for the Belmont Stakes. The Derby winner’s withdrawal immediately reframed the Preakness, which will be defined by his absence.AdvertisementBut the race will go on, so as we prepare for post time on Saturday evening, here are five stories to watch:Sonny Leon celebrates after riding Rich Strike past the finish line to win the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7 in Louisville, Ky. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)Rich Strike probably would not have gone off as the Preakness favorite, and the history of long shot Derby winners tells us he probably would not have won at Pimlico Race Course. But that’s not the point.His shocking upset invigorated racing fans, who had watched a medication violation overturn the previous year’s Derby result and spur an ongoing legal saga around the sport’s top star, suspended trainer Bob Baffert. Rich Strike, a champion spawned from the unlikeliest circumstances, seemed to encapsulate out purest notions of what the sport can be. Could he and the newly prominent connections around him do it again? This was going to be our driving question going into the Preakness.Instead, we’re left with a big party, a field of good 3-year-olds — a couple of them potentially great — and no narrative to connect the Triple Crown races. The last time the Preakness went off without the Derby champion in 2019, ratings on NBC dropped 29%. We’re so used to the traditional Derby-to-Preakness formula, we don’t quite know how to tell the story without it.None of this is Reed’s or Dawson’s fault; they seem intent on doing what’s best for their horse rather than sticking blindly to the familiar path. But the Preakness will miss Rich Strike, no matter how good he is or is not.He looked the part in winning the Louisiana Derby and the Risen Star Stakes. He looked the part in the morning at Churchill Downs, where several rival trainers, including Chad Brown, labeled him the horse to beat. He looked it at the top of the stretch in the Derby.For months, he did nothing wrong, nothing to tell Steve Asmussen he was anything less than a worthy Derby favorite. He was faster at an early age than Asmussen’s previous Horse of the Year winners, Curlin and Gun Runner. The winningest trainer in North American history was certain he had his first Derby victory until the last few seconds of the race, when Rich Strike flashed into his world.Epicenter came out of the Derby well, and he’ll have an immediate chance to reassert his superiority, much as Curlin did in winning the 2007 Preakness on his way to the Hall of Fame. He will probably be favored at Pimlico, and he won’t have to worry about Rich Strike catching him this time, though he will have fourth-place Derby finisher Simplification to contend with. But as Marty McGee of the Daily Racing Form pointed out, only three of the last 43 Derby runners-up to enter the Preakness have won it. That history won’t matter if Epicenter is clearly the top talent in the field, but it’s something to keep in mind.AdvertisementLuis Saez rides Secret Oath to victory in the 148th running of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 6 in Louisville, Ky. (Jeff Roberson/AP)It was a shame the stands sat empty in 2020, when the indomitable filly Swiss Skydiver would not let Derby champion Authentic pass her in the Preakness. What a thrilling duel it was, despite the strange October run date and the peak-pandemic setting.We don’t often see female horses win the Preakness; six have done it and only two of those, Swiss Skydiver and Rachel Alexandra, since 1924. But it’s always intriguing when a filly jumps from the Kentucky Oaks, the top female-only race on Derby weekend, to the Preakness. Lukas, a six-time Preakness winner, will take his shot with Secret Oath, this year’s Oaks champion.It’s fair to wonder if Secret Oath has the speed to be a genuine threat. When she ran against males in the Arkansas Derby, she went off as the favorite but finished third behind Cyberknife and Barber Road, neither of whom went on to make a huge impression in the Kentucky Derby. Her results, even her Oaks win, do not suggest a monster talent on par with Rachel Alexandra. On the other hand, her resume (including speed figures) was more impressive than Rich Strike’s heading into Derby week, so ignore her at your peril.Brown, a four-time Eclipse Award winner as the nation’s top trainer, and Klarman, an analytically-inclined owner who grew up a few blocks from Pimlico, read the landscape perfectly in 2017. They did not point Cloud Computing to the Derby, opting to keep him fresh for the Preakness instead. He took advantage of several tired Derby horses to deliver the only major victory of his career.Brown and Klarman might have higher long-term hopes for Early Voting coming off his impressive second-place finish in the Wood Memorial. But they did not feel he was sufficiently battle-tested to thrive in the 20-horse Derby field, and they’re hoping, just as they did with Cloud Computing, that a six-week rest will translate to Preakness glory.Early Voting’s rider, Jose Ortiz, tried to control the Wood Memorial from the lead, only to be passed late by Mo Donegal. If he attempts the same strategy in the Preakness, he will likely have to contend with a stalking Epicenter. Will the extra four weeks of rest help Early Voting hold on in such a scenario? Brown and Klarman are betting on it.AdvertisementWe’re not used to a healthy Derby winner skipping the Preakness, but as several smart racing people said after the news about Rich Strike broke, this was inevitable. We simply do not live in a world in which trainers are comfortable bringing their star 3-year-olds back on two weeks’ rest. We’re not going back to the 1970s, when top 3-year-olds routinely came into the Triple Crown series with foundations of 10 or more races and it was no big deal to run three times in five weeks. Caution is now the rule, and plenty of people in the sport think the Triple Crown calendar is a relic from the past.Others say tradition matters and the Triple Crown should be hard. But if we see more and more Derby-winning trainers consider bypassing the Preakness, the whole series will suffer. This is not a new conversation; past leaders of the Maryland Jockey Club have tried to stir it up. But with each Triple Crown track operating independently, there’s no unified authority to step in and demand reform.Those who argue for a new calendar say the Preakness could be run on Memorial Day weekend or the first weekend in June, with the Belmont Stakes going to July 4 weekend. We’ll hear that concept tossed around over the next week. But will any of the people who actually make decisions be involved in the conversation?147th Preakness StakesPimlico Race CourseSaturdayAdvertisementTV: Chs. 11, 4 (coverage begins at 2 p.m.)
Dear Amy: I have a 9-year-old special needs child. “Kyle” is high-functioning on the autism spectrum, but doesn’t do well with athletics and other “typical” settings that might help a child fit in, make friends, and otherwise have a functional childhood dynamic.We worry that he is becoming more socially isolated. We are very engaged and committed to his therapy and well-being. Our small families follow suit (especially both sets of grandparents).AdvertisementMy issue arises from my younger (adult) brothers.They are both loving uncles, but seemingly detached.AdvertisementI really resent their lack of effort or involvement that I know my son would benefit from: Whether the occasional day trip to the zoo, park, ballgame, or the treat of an overnight stay.They haven’t offered in years. They don’t have kids and live nearby.Growing up, I was the oldest brother who acted as caretaker. I’ve always thought each of them was spoiled and self-centered.Am I wrong to get so worked up over this? I just cannot get past my disdain.I know it’s not their job to “parent” their nephew, but a few hours of quality time per month would immeasurably help his psyche.Your recommendations?– Upset DadDear Dad: Contact between these uncles and “Kyle” would likely be good for Kyle. It would also be good for your brothers.AdvertisementThose of us who have special needs family members understand that sometimes the relationship can unlock qualities that will put a person in touch with their own deeper humanity.If they got to know their nephew, your brothers would see that he has a sense of humor, that he has a unique way of seeing the world and processing information, and, if he connected with them and they formed a close relationship, they would simply be better men.Do they want to be better men? Maybe not.They will not spontaneously step up, because they don’t know how. Do they need an engraved invitation from their older brother? Unfortunately, yes, they do.Rather than sharing your disappointment and disdain, you should ask your brothers for help.Invite them (one at a time) to go on an outing with you and Kyle.AdvertisementYou are going to have to show them how to be with him, and when you do, one or both of your brothers might develop their own quirky kind of relationship with Kyle, which would grow as these uncles become more confident. You can then ask if they could each take him perhaps one Saturday morning a month for some “uncle time.”Dear Amy: My fiancé and I have been together for four and a half years. We are getting married next month.It will be a small wedding, with less than 50 guests.After sending our invitations, stating a start time of 2:30 p.m., one of my aunts texted and asked, “What time is the wedding? We have a conflict that we are working around. For us, if it was later in the day, it would be better… just saying!”I know she received the invitation. I simply texted back that the wedding started at 2:30.I later found out that her conflict is a garage sale she’s been planning to have.AdvertisementThis week, another uncle texted: “We’re just thinking about your wedding day. How late in the evening do you plan for the reception to go?”Amy, I believe if this were not a gay wedding, these inappropriate questions would never be asked. I don’t think they consider this wedding “real.”Am I overreacting in being offended?– Two GroomsDear Grooms: I am so happy to report that you are not being discriminated against. How do I know this? Because on my own wedding day, people called and texted me asking what time the ceremony was, asked for directions to the church, and told me they were bringing extra guests.I will be happy to run wedding-day stories from others, many of which will put your aunt’s and uncle’s advance requests in perspective.AdvertisementThe further happy news is that none of this will matter. You’ll have a grand time.Dear Amy: I loved your response to “Happy to Help,” who wondered how to help her partner overcome writer’s block.Ask AmyDailyNo-nonsense advice for better living delivered to your inbox every morning. For a limited time, sign up for the Ask Amy newsletter and get the book “Ask Amy: Essential Wisdom from America’s Favorite Advice Columnist” for $5.I was so happy to see my favorite author, Anne Lamott, quoted in the answer!– Big FanDear Big Fan: Quoting from Charlotte’s Web: “It’s not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer.”Anne Lamott is that, to many writers and readers.AdvertisementGot a question for Amy? Enter it here and we’ll send it to her.Sign up here to receive the Ask Amy newsletter to get advice e-mailed to your inbox every morning, and for a limited time — get the book “Ask Amy: Essential Wisdom from America’s Favorite Advice Columnist” for $5.©2021 Amy Dickinson.
The Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees were tied in the bottom of the ninth Saturday at Guaranteed Rate Field.Tim Anderson represented the potential winning run for the Sox at second base.AdvertisementSome hitters might try to do too much to produce for a team in those circumstances. But Luis Robert exhibited patience, waiting for the right pitch to attack against Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman.Robert took three balls and a strike. Then he got his pitch, ripping a single to right. Anderson scored ahead of Aaron Judge’s throw, giving the Sox a thrilling 3-2 victory in front of 32,830.Advertisement“I was trying to be early with his fastball,” Robert said through an interpreter, of his approach in the situation. “I was trying to make contact.”It was the second game-ending hit of Robert’s career. The first came during his rookie season, when he a home run on Aug. 30, 2020 against the Kansas City Royals.“This felt better,” Robert said. “I was more excited, fans here versus the Yankees. After two losses, this one was very good.”The Sox dropped the first two games of the series, allowing a combined 25 runs.Dallas Keuchel gave the Sox a pitching boost Saturday, scattering four hits in five shoutout innings. He struck out three and walked three in the 86-pitch outing.“We’ve made our fair share of mistakes the first couple of nights (of the series) and they’ve capitalized a lot on those,” Keuchel said. “I felt like if I could make some pitches and execute early, I had a good chance. It’s fun to pitch against a team like that with the way they are swinging the bats and the depth of their lineup, they can interchange a few guys every night it seems like.“They just keep rolling. But we are a good team too.”Keuchel followed up a strong outing against the Boston Red Sox with one against the Yankees. He went a season-high six innings May 8 at Fenway Park, allowing two runs on six hits in a 3-2 win.AdvertisementWednesday’s postponed game against the Cleveland Guardians pushed his start back a day. He was ready for the team with the best record in baseball.“He’s spent his whole career pitching against good teams, rights and lefts,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “He beat a good team in Boston. They’re good. When he executes his pitches, he’s got a lot of weapons.”Keuchel got a double-play grounder to wrap up the first. It was the first time in the series the Sox didn’t allow a run in the first.The Sox did the damage in the first Saturday. Anderson singled, one of his three hits, and scored on a single from Robert for the first run. Robert extended his hitting streak to 12.Yoán Moncada homered leading off the third.Keuchel exited with the 2-0 lead after getting Anthony Rizzo to ground out to second baseman Josh Harrison with the bases loaded to end the fifth.Advertisement“I’m feeling more like myself,” Keuchel said. “I told you (reporters) I was close. I would have liked to have gone a little bit longer tonight. I thought that was my job. I’m a little disappointed in five.“My job is to go out there and throw as many as I can. I thought (86) pitches I had enough to at least go six. With how many games we’re playing (17 games in 17 days), I thought I had at least 100 pitches tonight. That didn’t happen. I’m not very happy with that but that’s the competitor in me and we’re going to have to figure out something (Sunday) because we have a lot more guys down now too.”Reliever Kendall Graveman allowed one hit in two scoreless innings.The Yankees scored once in the eighth against Joe Kelly, and the Sox brought in closer Liam Hendriks with two on and one out. He struck out Josh Donaldson and Gleyber Torres, keeping it at 2-1.The Yankees tied the game on a Kyle Higashioka sacrifice fly in the ninth, but Isiah Kiner-Falefa was out trying to advance to third on the play. Moncada cut off AJ Pollock’s throw and got the ball to Anderson, who was covering third and tagged Kiner-Falefa for the second out of the inning.“Excellent relay and cutoff,” La Russa said. “That was huge.”AdvertisementAnderson singled with one out in the ninth and Moncada walked, bringing up Robert.“That’s high baseball IQ because you’re not going to walk (Chapman) off with a home run, his stuff is too good,” La Russa said. “You’ve got to find a way to get somebody on base. Tim’s base hit was huge, the walk from Moncada, they did a good job taking what he gave, and he ain’t going to give you a lot that you can do big damage.”Robert found a hole through the right side of the infield and Anderson did the rest, giving the Sox their first walkoff win of the season.“The first two games they were just better than us,” Robert said. “But today we came prepared and were able to execute and then we got on top.”