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Sports

Drew Smyly reaches 10 years of MLB service time — something the Chicago Cubs pitcher doesn’t take lightly

PHOENIX — Drew Smyly pondered the question, thinking back 10 years ago to his rookie season in Detroit.What is the biggest difference in you as a pitcher from your first big-league season to now?AdvertisementThe left-hander, then 23 years old, advanced to the 2012 World Series while learning his craft as part of a Tigers rotation that has since combined to win five Cy Young Awards. Smyly, now 32, still relies on the same three-pitch combination — cutter, sinker and curveball — and overall believes he is the exact same pitcher than a decade ago.AdvertisementThat doesn’t mean Smyly hasn’t evolved.When his career began, it was early in the analytics revolution and he didn’t really understand beyond locating his fastball down and away while mixing pitches. Over the course of eight stops in different organization, Smyly has picked up things along the way. He learned his fastball played well up in the zone with Tampa Bay. His road back from Tommy John surgery tested his resolve over a three-year stretch. He reinvented himself in Philadelphia after being released twice in less than a month, throwing more off-speed stuff.Those ups and downs culminated in hitting 10 years of service time in Major League Baseball last week.“A lot of people can also lose motivation after a certain time,” Smyly told the Tribune. “It’s been hard, too, once you start to build a family and you’re gone, it makes it more challenging. But most people at this level, you just love the competition so much. It’s so hard. I don’t take it for granted. I’m really grateful that I get to do this.”Chicago Cubs starer Drew Smyly pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning, May 13, 2022, in Phoenix. (Ross D. Franklin/AP)The MLB Players Association estimates less than 10% of major-leaguers hit the 10-year mark. Smyly entered the season needing only 29 days on the roster to reach the milestone. He received a bottle of Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Champagne from his Cubs teammates.Beyond the financial benefits of receiving a full pension post-playing career, the achievement is an acknowledgement of Smyly’s journey from a highly-ranked prospect to respected veteran and the work he has put in.“It’s a big honor for me because the baseball world is pretty small,” Smyly said. “If you get a certain reputation it kind of stays with you and people get weeded out really quickly just on their work ethic, their attitude, personalities, a lot of different factors. “Obviously, you’ve got to get the job done on the field, and that probably matters the most, but being a good player in the clubhouse and trying to help a team win and knowing that all of these teams see value in me, whether it’s on the field or in the clubhouse, that makes me feel pretty good.”AdvertisementHe has certainly earned it, grinding through plenty of tough moments and often uncertain job security. Injuries could have derailed Smyly, but he kept coming back, most notably from a torn left labrum in 2015 and Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss two MLB seasons (2017-18). He was released twice and traded three times, including part of a three-team deal in July 2014 when the Tigers sent him to the Rays to acquire left-hander David Price. His deal with the Cubs in March represented his third straight one-year guaranteed contract.“It’s not easy signing a one-year deal, going from new team to new team,” Smyly said. “Once you get out there on the field, it’s the same game. It’s me versus him. And that’s what I love the most about the game. But everything else is pretty challenging: making new teammates, new coaches, new fan bases, trying to win over all of that can get pretty taxing.Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.“Perseverance, longevity — it’s not easy. It wasn’t smooth sailing by any means, but just keep believing and keep trusting and keep going out there.”Smyly was reminded how frustrating baseball can be Friday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks. A few well-placed balls by Arizona’s hitters and defensive plays the Cubs couldn’t quite make combined to spoil Smyly’s outing in a 4-3 loss.“I might pull out some of my hair out tonight, but that’s just baseball,” Smyly said. “Sometimes you don’t get the results you want, but when I replay the game, I was making really good pitches throughout the whole night.”Aside from three well-struck balls in the Diamondbacks’ three-run third inning, Smyly didn’t allow much hard contact in six innings, his longest start of the season. He allowed four runs on 10 hits with one walk and four strikeouts.Advertisement“That third inning was honestly pretty ridiculous,” Smyly said. “They had two balls down the line just fair. One guy hit it in front of the plate and bounced 40 feet in the air for an RBI single. … They kept getting a lot of people on base, but I thought I did a good job of managing it and getting us back in there.”Despite Smyly’s final line, manager David Ross thought Smyly pitched well and was indicative of what he gives the Cubs.“When he takes the bump you feel like you’ve got a really good chance to win,” Ross said. “He’s been one of our more consistent starters for me, just the length, pace. … (He’s) really consistent. I thought it was a good showing for him.”

Sports

Column: A crazy week for the Chicago White Sox shows off the many moods of manager Tony La Russa

There are 50 shades of Tony LaRussa, and we saw a few this week.There was Happy Tony before his Chicago White Sox opened a homestand Monday on the first summerlike night on the South Side, with Yoán Moncada and Joe Kelly back and his team riding a six-game winning streak. Their eight-game skid was in the rearview mirror, and better days were ahead.AdvertisementThen we got a glimpse of Ornery Tony late Monday after the Sox blew a six-run, ninth-inning lead to the Cleveland Guardians and eventually lost 12-9 in 11 innings.The Sox committed four errors, including two in the fateful ninth by Moncada and Tim Anderson before Josh Naylor’s tying grand slam off Liam Hendricks. La Russa defended Moncada after when asked about the two errors, saying the ball had hopped up on the third baseman.Advertisement“What was the other one you didn’t like?” La Russa asked CHGO reporter Vinnie Duber.Duber pointed out the error by Anderson.“Did you ever try to throw something?” La Russa asked.Duber pointed out Anderson’s error was on a missed catch from an outfield relay.“We didn’t lose that game because of our defense,” La Russa said. “I disagree with that, so …”Chicago White Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz, left, and manager Tony La Russa talk things over in the dugout during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Guaranteed Rate Field, May 12, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)This is all part of La Russa’s competitive nature, we’re told, which was why Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf brought him out of retirement to finish the job Rick Renteria couldn’t. No one takes it personally when La Russa questions the validity of a valid question. Occupational hazard.Happy Tony returned after Tuesday’s 4-1 win over the Guardians, which preceded an unfortunate COVID-19 outbreak in the Guardians coaching ranks that led to a postponement Wednesday. It was well-timed for the Sox, giving La Russa’s bullpen an extra day of rest before the four-game series against the New York Yankees, the best team in baseball.Before Thursday’s game, Duber asked La Russa if Johnny Cueto, pitching at Triple-A Charlotte, was an option for Tuesday’s doubleheader in Kansas City, Mo. We then saw Funny Tony.Advertisement“You’re an option,” La Russa told Duber, drawing awkward laughs from those who recalled La Russa had previously questioned Duber about whether he’d ever made a throw.Somehow Duber not only had convinced La Russa he could throw but start for the White Sox.Next came Befuddled Tony on Thursday night after Kelly recorded the first two outs of the eighth inning on four pitches of a 7-7 game before imploding with three straight walks, including seven balls in his last eight pitches. It was Kelly’s second outing after rehabbing from a right biceps injury the last 6½ months.La Russa let Kelly face Aaron Judge, who had hit a home run off Ryan Burr that nearly made it across 35th Street in his previous at-bat. Kelly induced Judge to hit a weak chopper up the middle, a tough play but one that a good second baseman could make with the ginormous Judge running to first.Leury García was not that second baseman. His throw wasn’t strong enough to beat Judge on a bang-bang play. As the go-ahead run scored and the first-base umpire signaled Judge safe, first baseman José Abreu fell asleep for a second as Gleyber Torres motored around third and scored the second run on the play.Abreu attempted an awkward throw to the plate that NBC Sports Chicago analyst Ozzie Guillén outwardly mocked during the postgame show. In real time, analyst Steve Stone pointed directly at Abreu’s inattentiveness for allowing the second run to score.AdvertisementKelly then completely fell apart, walking Anthony Rizzo on four pitches. Instead of calling on Duber, who was in the press box writing his story, La Russa called on left-hander Tanner Banks to face the right-handed-hitting Giancarlo Stanton, who had homered twice off Dylan Cease.With the Sox already trailing, Russa didn’t want to use high-leverage relievers Hendriks, who last pitched Monday, or Kendall Graveman, who had a day of rest after the postponement.Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa walks to the dugout after making a pitching change against the Cleveland Guardians at Guaranteed Rate Field, May 10, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)“At that point we’re already down, I don’t think you can waste an arm,” La Russa later said before correcting himself. “Not waste an arm, use up an arm. That’s what I think.”Stanton singled home another run on an 0-2 changeup. Banks then served up a three-run home run to right-handed-hitting Josh Donaldson, making it 14-7. After the 15-7 loss, we saw Bemused Tony, still marveling at the ridiculous turn of events in the eighth after two quick outs in a tie game.“I mean, you had to see it to believe it,” La Russa said. “I still don’t believe it.”That would’ve made a great marketing slogan for the 2022 Sox, a team that has to be seen to be believed. Only 20,050 fans showed up Thursday on a beautiful night for the start of the biggest home series of the season, and the team averaged 16,596 in two games against the Guardians in similar weather.AdvertisementThe Sox haven’t exactly helped their cause. They entered Friday’s game 15-15, ranked dead last in fielding and 12th in pitching and hitting .225 as a team. It’s not the kind of performance that gives off “World Series vibes.”So what shades of Tony La Russa will we see the rest of the season?We can hardly wait to find out.

Lifestyle

Use trunk flare to determine how deep to plant a new tree

“My neighbor told me my tree was planted too deeply. How do I determine the proper planting depth?”— Nicole Cramer, GlenviewAdvertisementTrees are often planted too deep by homeowners and professionals, so it is a good idea to understand how to position a new tree at the proper depth.Recently planted trees that resemble telephone poles coming out of the ground are probably planted too deep. Generally, this will not cause problems in the early years, but it can be a major factor in the decline or even death of the tree in the future.AdvertisementLook at the base of the tree where it meets the ground to determine if your tree is at the proper depth. Mulch should be pulled a couple inches away from the base of the tree. The majority of the roots will develop in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil, though this varies depending on the type of tree and garden soil. The tree’s root system will develop at a shallower depth in heavy clay soils versus better-drained loamy or sandy soils.Trees are often planted too deep by homeowners and professionals, so it is a good idea to understand how to position a new tree at the proper depth.
– Original Credit: Chicago Botanic Garden (RJ Carlson / HANDOUT)If the tree is planted too deep, new roots will have difficulty developing because of a lack of oxygen. A tree that is planted too deep and does not die over time may never reach its full potential.Use the trunk flare instead of the root ball top to guide you in determining the planting depth of a new tree. The trunk flare is the area at the base of a tree that swells and merges with the roots. Look down the trunk until you see it start to widen at the base — this is the trunk flare.If the trunk flare is buried in the root ball, plant the tree higher in the hole and carefully remove the excess soil above the root system. Be careful to avoid breaking up the root ball and damaging any roots or the trunk of the tree as you shave off excess soil. Use a sharp, flat spade to do this and push the spade toward the trunk of the tree as you remove the soil. The trunk flare should be visible when planting is completed.In heavy clay soils, I prefer to plant trees high — with the trunk flare 2 to 3 inches above existing grade. When soils are sandy and very well drained, I generally position the trunk flare 1 to 2 inches above grade. If the root ball appears to be loose, remove the wire basket and burlap after the tree is positioned in the planting hole.In general, it is best to not amend the soil used to backfill a planting hole. Use the soil that was dug out of the planting hole to fill in around the root ball. I have planted trees this way with good results. In some situations, replacing the heavy clay backfill soil with new soil or heavily amending it can be detrimental. Water movement through the soil will be impeded when it enters soil with one type of texture (a new or amended backfill) and then meets the existing garden soil. Excessive water can accumulate in the bottom of the planting hole and lead to root suffocation and rotting of the roots. Roots tend to grow in the planting hole where there is better aeration, rather than growing out into the surrounding soil.It is a good idea to dig a wide planting hole, as it will reduce soil compaction around the root ball and improve soil aeration, making conditions better for roots to grow. When feasible, make the planting hole two to three times the width of the root ball. Make the sides of the hole slanted with a gradual slope upward so it is easier to backfill. AdvertisementWork the soil in around the root ball so there are no remaining air pockets. If the entire bed has been amended, it is less important to dig a wide planting hole. It is OK to amend the top layer of soil around a newly planted tree.For more plant advice, contact the Plant Information Service at the Chicago Botanic Garden at plantinfo@chicagobotanic.org. Tim Johnson is senior director of horticulture at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Lifestyle

Ask Amy: Family vacation might be riled by new spouse

Dear Amy: My husband, kids, and I live in a different state than most of my family.We are planning a trip to my family’s state and would like to invite my parents and grandmothers to rent a cabin for a few nights.AdvertisementI don’t see my grandmothers often as they are not well enough to travel too far.I want to be able to enjoy a wonderful and relaxing trip with them as I am worried about the amount of time I have left to spend with them.AdvertisementI want to create happy memories with them, my parents, and children together. My grandmothers get along great and often spend time together. They are both widowed, but one of them remarried about a year ago.Amy, this man is rude and pretentious and makes everyone uncomfortable.We all keep our feelings to ourselves and are respectful when we have been around him, but my parents and my other grandmother are not a fan of this man.I worry spending a whole weekend with him would be too much for everyone.His presence would likely turn this relaxing time with my family into a weekend revolving around his lectures, narcissistic antics, and drama.Is it selfish of me to only want to spend this precious time with those that bring happiness? Would it be wrong of me to only invite my grandmother and not her condescending new spouse?How might I extend this exclusive invite? Or is there a polite and discreet way to ask he not make this trip a disagreeable one?– Happy Memories OnlyAdvertisementDear Happy: Your grandmother chose to marry, and when she did, the man she married entered your family. For better and – it seems – for worse: he is there.It is not selfish of you to want “only happiness,” but no family can be guaranteed only happy experiences or happy memories. Every family must deal with the challenges presented by their reality.I suggest that you issue this invitation to everyone, and then do your best to manage this disruptive new family member during your weekend together.If you establish a baseline willingness to stand up to him: (“Excuse me, ‘Steve,’ but I’d love to hear what my grandmother thinks …”) you might have a better time.Dear Amy: Our daughter’s overseas wedding was first scheduled two summers ago. Family from both sides (mostly) don’t live there, so with the borders closed, the ceremony was postponed — twice.Now the wedding is on — for this July. We are now seeing that a number of guests who RSVP’d that they were coming the first two times now say they cannot make it. We will miss seeing them.AdvertisementSo here is the question: Since we already have the lovely venue paid for a specific number of guests, is it tacky to invite those who “didn’t make the first guest list” originally to join us now?If it is not tacky, how might we even phrase that?– Wondering About WeddingDear Wondering: When it comes to “tacky,” I take a stance that’s probably more Dolly Parton than Emily Post.I say, be authentic, be polite, and – if you’re backed into a corner – be truthful!Issue your invitations. You might call this event: Third Time’s the Charm.AdvertisementI don’t think it’s necessary to make any reference to previous plans when you invite people.If prospective guests inquire: “Hey, I thought you didn’t have room for me…!” say, “The pandemic really messed with our plans and some close family members can’t make it overseas this summer, so if you are able to join us on relatively short notice, we’d love it!”Dear Amy: “Concerned Sister” was trying to prompt her aging sister to make some plans for her future.Thank you for highlighting the need for families to discuss end-of-life issues with one another.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.My mother descended into the ravages of dementia before we had ever discussed these things. In the years I spent caring for her, I often wished I knew what her wishes were. It would have made everything so much easier for me and for other family members who were trying to provide the best care for her.We were very much in the dark, and I still have regrets about that tough period.Advertisement– With RegretsDear Regrets: The situation you describe is what journalist Ellen Goodman was struggling with through her own mother’s illness and death, inspiring her to start The Conversation Project (http://theconversationproject.org/), which provides helpful prompts to get families talking.Got 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.

Sports

Chicago White Sox surrender 4 home runs in a 10-4 loss to the New York Yankees, their 3rd defeat in 4 games

Chicago White Sox starter Vince Velasquez was one out away from a scoreless first inning Friday against the New York Yankees.Standing in his way: the hot-hitting Giancarlo Stanton.AdvertisementThe cleanup hitter continued his tear with a two-run home run, his third of the series.Velasquez surrendered three homers in five innings as the Yankees beat the Sox 10-4 in front of 28,877 at Guaranteed Rate Field.Advertisement“Just starting off, I didn’t come out as hot as I expected,” Velasquez said. “The last two outings (against the Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox) have been really locked in. It just seems like I was out of sync right from beginning.“This team is very selective when it comes to finding what they like and if you don’t execute, they’re going to capitalize.”The Yankees finished with four home runs — two-run blasts from Stanton and Josh Donaldson and solo homers by Aaron Judge and Joey Gallo — and won for the 17th time in 19 games.Gavin Sheets hit a two-run homer for the Sox, who lost for the third time in four games.Stanton hit two-run homers in the first and third innings Thursday, helping the Yankees to a 15-7 victory.He wasted no time contributing again Friday. Judge drew a one-out walk and Stanton homered with two outs.“The first inning, I didn’t have my slider, I didn’t have the command of the curveball as much as I wanted to,” Velasquez said. “With a big strike zone like that, I’m trying to force contact. It was a matter of sticking to what the task was and I fell short.”The Sox tried to dig out the 2-0 hole, loading the bases with one out in bottom of the first.AdvertisementSheets struck out and Yankees catcher Jose Trevino threw to third to try to get Tim Anderson. The shortstop made it safely by diving, but the third baseman Donaldson tried to nudge him off the base.The benches and bullpens briefly cleared.Once everyone went back to their respective areas, Yankees starter Gerrit Cole struck out AJ Pollock to escape the jam without allowing a run.“He made the pitches to get the hitters out,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “You’ve got to give him credit.”The Yankees had four hits — two singles and two doubles — during a three-run second.Judge’s solo homer in the fourth, his second of the series, made it 6-0. Gallo’s solo home run in the fifth gave the Yankees a 7-1 lead.AdvertisementVelasquez allowed seven runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and three walks in five innings.“Look at the standings, look at what they’re doing,” Velasquez said of the Yankees, who have the best record in baseball at 24-8. “They’re going to ambush and when you don’t have your best stuff it makes things a little bit harder.“But you’re going to have you’re good days, you’re going to have your bad days. It’s just a matter of you kind of getting back on the horse and going back to work.”La Russa appreciated “the way (Velasquez) gutted it out and gave us five (innings).”Cole allowed three runs on six hits with nine strikeouts and a walk in 6⅓ innings. He surrendered the two-run homer to Sheets in the sixth.“He’s got great stuff,” Sheets said. “He’s a guy that you don’t know what he’s going to throw at you. It could be 100, it could be 82, it could be 88. You just have to battle, you’ve got to grind with him.Advertisement“He gets your focus at the plate, because his stuff’s very good. It’s fun to face guys like that. It’s not guys you see every day. You gear it up, and it’s a good battle.”Donaldson’s two-run homer against reliever Matt Foster came during a three-run ninth. The Sox have allowed 38 runs (30 earned) on 48 hits in the last four games.“When we got torched today, it was almost always we just missed our location,” La Russa said. “You would see the catcher setting up and the pitch went a different place. And that’s what a hitter is supposed to do, they’re supposed to punish it. And they did.”

Sports

Nico Hoerner and Seiya Suzuki remain day to day with ankle injuries and are out of the Chicago Cubs lineup

PHOENIX — The Chicago Cubs’ middle-infield depth is being tested.Nico Hoerner is day to day with right ankle soreness after exiting Wednesday’s win in San Diego following a collision with second-base umpire Dan Iassogna in the second inning. Hoerner is still being evaluated after initial imaging Wednesday did not show a fracture.AdvertisementSeiya Suzuki’s status also remains day to day because of lingering right ankle soreness. The right fielder pinch hit in the ninth inning Tuesday but did not play Wednesday. Suzuki took batting practice Friday. Coming off Thursday’s day off, neither Hoerner nor Suzuki was in the lineup for Friday’s series opener at the Arizona Diamondbacks.Manager David Ross indicated they were available off the bench, though given Hoerner’s ankle continues to get checked out, he likely won’t be a first option.AdvertisementHoerner’s absence thins the Cubs’ middle-infield options. Nick Madrigal went on the injured list Tuesday with a low back strain. Meanwhile, shortstop Andrelton Simmons is not yet ready to join the team from his rehab assignment. He will play nine innings Friday and Saturday at Triple-A Iowa.Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner, top right, talks with a trainer after suffering a right ankle injury when he collided with umpire Dan Iassogna during a game against the Padres on May 11, 2022, in San Diego. (Gregory Bull/AP)Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki tosses his bat as he flies out during the third inning against the Padres on May 9, 2022, in San Diego. (Gregory Bull/AP)Ildemaro Vargas, who struggled defensively when he replaced Hoerner midgame Wednesday, started at shortstop Friday with Jonathan Villar slotted at second base.“I know each day he feels a little bit better and is trying to listen to his body and we get really good feedback reports,” Ross said of Simmons. “The main thing it’s getting better every single day. He’s a big-leaguer that’s been doing it a long time. He’ll know when he’s ready and he knows where we’re at. We’ll see how things work out today and then go from there.”Justin Steele’s left thumb felt fine when he threw a bullpen Friday, including with his slider grip, which gave him issues in his last start to cut the outing short from soreness. The Cubs will see how he feels Saturday. Sunday’s starter versus the Diamondbacks hasn’t been determined, but Ross expects it will be either Steele or Wade Miley.Right-hander Alec Mills (right quadricepts tightness) is scheduled to throw a bullpen Saturday while infielder David Bote (left shoulder surgery) is getting at-bats in extended spring training at the team’s complex in Mesa, Ariz.