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Sports

The ‘Sodfather’ confirms the obvious: This Chicago spring — with its ‘brutal’ weather pattern— has been the worst

The Sodfather confirmed Wednesday what most of us in Chicago already assumed.This has been our worst spring ever. Period.AdvertisementRoger Bossard, the head groundskeeper of the Chicago White Sox, didn’t need numbers to back up his claim. He has millions of eyewitnesses.Bossard said Sox manager Tony La Russa recently asked him if he’s ever remembered worse conditions during a Chicago spring.AdvertisementThe answer was a resolute “no.”“There have been times where I had to push some snow off the field or had to melt an inch here or there, but I’ve never seen a constant like this,” Bossard said.“This is my 56th year (as Sox groundskeeper). Never seen it like this. It’s horrible and it’s not just the Sox and Cubs. It’s the golf courses and everybody is just suffering. The plant isn’t growing the way it’s supposed to. The weather pattern is brutal. It’s as bad as I’ve ever seen.”And it’s not just the rain, the cold and the 23 mph wind, all of which made the Sox’s 3-1 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field a matter of survival of the fittest. Bossard said it’s also the absence of sun that’s hurting his grass and plants.Cubs first base coach Mike Napoli looks on as rain falls during a game against the White Sox at Wrigley Field on May 3, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)“The turf people, we’ve been suffering,” he said. “There is just no sunshine. There are 17 positive ultraviolet rays that come from sunshine that affect plant growth and we haven’t been getting any of them. Well, obviously some, or it wouldn’t grow at all.”La Russa said Tuesday night was among the five or 10 “toughest” playing conditions of his managerial career, which includes 5,282 regular-season games. He didn’t specify whether he also was counting playoffs or his minor-league career or starting out in the Dominican Republic winter league, where Sox owner Bill Veeck dispatched scout Jerry Krause to find out whether La Russa was a keeper.Suffice it to say that’s a lot of games. In his 61st season, La Russa can probably lay claim to the title of bad baseball weather expert.So the question is: Why in the world did last night’s game have to be played?AdvertisementMLB made the ultimate decision, according to sources, after consultation with both teams. The playing surface at Wrigley Field was deemed fine at the start of the game, and the mist was light enough to play through without fear of player injury. Once the game started, it was in the umpires’ hands.Neither team wanted a doubleheader Wednesday, which makes for a very long day and eats up the bullpen. It would’ve been a split doubleheader, making it even longer. Both teams have a scheduled day off Thursday. But after Wednesday’s game, the Sox will have played 15 games in 15 days, dating back to April 20 with a doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians after back-to-back postponements. They needed a break before a road trip to Boston.Fans brave cold and wet weather from the bleachers at Wrigley Field during a game between the Cubs and the White Sox on May 3, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)The Cubs can be a bit sensitive when it comes to decisions around canceling games after some memorable wrong calls over the years, including the “no-rain rainout” against the San Francisco Giants in 1999 and a Milwaukee Brewers game in 2017 that was prematurely canceled on what turned out to be a fine day. Brewers manager Craig Counsell said it was the first time “we’ve had players treated for sunburn after a rainout.” Then there was an Atlanta Braves game in 2018 that was so miserable players worried about getting pneumonia. The Braves also blew an eight-run lead, which may have factored into the complaints.The Sox have had their share of bad weather calls over the decades as well.After a night game was postponed early on April 26, 1996, California Angels reliever Lee Smith suggested the postponement was made because Chicagoans wanted to watch Michael Jordan and the Bulls in a playoff game against the Miami Heat.Advertisement“I think they figured out that if they played, you and I would’ve been the only ones to show up,” Smith said.The most infamous wrong call was perhaps the 7 ½ hour rain delay before a 9 p.m. cancellation on Aug. 12, 1990, at old Comiskey Park. But at least Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf showed sympathy for fans who waited out the long delay. The Tribune game account reported: “At 8:15 p.m., the Sox offered free food and soft drinks to the remaining fans. At that point, the press box emptied quickly.”White Sox fans have a laugh in the stands at Wrigley Field on May 3, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)Bossard recalled that the National Weather Service kept insisting “a window was coming.” The window, however, was closed.“And we fell for it,” he said of the 1990 incident. “The Weather Service, they have eight scopes. I have two. And it’s their business and all clubs rely on them.”Relying on accurate weather predictions, while also trying to accommodate players who treasure their off days and fans who already bought tickets and made the trip to the ballpark, is often a no-win situation for team executives and MLB honchos. Because someone will wind up unhappy.But after it’s over, fans can say they survived a brutal night at the ballpark.AdvertisementSox fans in the Wrigley stands waved a giant ”L” flag after Tuesday’s win, reminiscent of the “Mike Caruso Game” in 1999, a classic City Series win for the Sox on another rainy day.“It’s funny,” Bossard said. “When you get the ‘W,’ everything is all right.”

Sports

Jairo Torres cumple los requisitos del Chicago Fire dentro y fuera del campo. Y a los 21, está listo para un gran papel

En los últimos días, Jairo Torres emigró a un nuevo país, conoció a sus nuevos compañeros y participó en su primer entrenamiento del Chicago Fire, intercalado con una alegre despedida en México y una bienvenida de héroe en Pilsen.Torres anotó el sábado en su último partido con Atlas FC en la Liga MX, recibiendo un estruendoso aplauso en un momento emotivo para el joven de 21 años que surgió de la academia de Atlas y ayudó a Los Rojinegros a ganar el título Apertura 2021.Advertisement[embedded content]El domingo por la noche voló desde su natal Guadalajara a O’Hare para embarcarse en la próxima etapa de su carrera con el Fire, quien presentó formalmente al jugador designado el martes durante una conferencia de prensa en el centro de la ciudad.“Un jugador como Jairo, es alguien que puede hacer la vida de un entrenador mucho más fácil”, dijo el entrenador Ezra Hendrickson. “Quita algunas de tus noches de insomnio. Es simplemente un muy buen jugador. Gran jugador con buena capacidad técnica, sobre todo en situaciones de uno contra uno, algo que necesitamos en este equipo”.AdvertisementTorres entrenó con el Fire por primera vez el martes por la mañana en el SeatGeek Stadium en Bridgeview, luego vino al centro para su conferencia de prensa introductoria. Luego se fue a Vault Gallerie para conocer y saludar a los fanáticos en el oeste de la ciudad, una llegada a Chicago que se produjo más de dos meses después de que el Fire adquiriera al extremo.Se une al Fire en el momento adecuado: después de un comienzo de temporada 2-0-2, no han ganado en sus últimos cinco partidos de la Major League Soccer.Naturalmente, la movida de Torres viene con mayores expectativas en el Fire, con quien se pondrá a prueba para ser un ganador y un líder, un papel que Torres dijo que está ansioso por asumir.“Creo que maduré mucho en Atlas”, dijo. “El equipo en el que estaba realmente me ayudó a crecer y madurar para convertirme en un mejor jugador. En realidad, sabía que al entrar había muchas expectativas sobre mí, pero voy a tratar de asumir ese papel para ser un líder, siempre, dentro y fuera del campo”.[ To read this story in English, please click here ]“Me refiero a que hay una razón por la que vine aquí. Así que voy a dar todo lo que tengo para ser un modelo a seguir dentro y fuera del campo y estar completamente concentrado para dar lo mejor de mí aquí”.Hendrickson dijo que espera que Torres juegue algún tiempo el sábado ante el Atlanta United, y cree que la incorporación del mexicano ayudará a corregir un ataque del Fire que ha anotado solo seis goles en nueve partidos.El director técnico del Fire, Sebastian Pelzer, dijo que el equipo exploró a Torres durante aproximadamente un mes, prestando especial atención a su trabajo sin balón además de su habilidad ofensiva.“Cuando lo vi en vivo fue incluso mejor que en la pantalla”, dijo Pelzer sobre la habilidad de Torres. “Quedé muy impresionado con sus habilidades ofensivas. Y también el compromiso que tiene con su equipo, trabajando duro también defensivamente”.Advertisement“Somos ambiciosos. Queremos triunfar, y tener un jugador con total compromiso por el esfuerzo del equipo, eso es lo que se necesita. Jairo se destacó en muchas cosas y esa fue una de ellas”.El nuevo mediocampista del Chicago Fire, Jairo Torres, a la izquierda, posa para fotografías con fanáticos en Vault Gallerie, 2015 S. Laflin St., el martes 3 de mayo de 2022 en Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)Sobre el papel, Torres cumple todos los requisitos para el Fire desde el punto de vista futbolístico. Es un extremo joven y dinámico que muestra mucho potencial.Tampoco está de más fichar a un jugador que pueda conectarse con la comunidad mexicana de Chicago.“Sabemos la importancia de los jugadores mexicanos en Chicago”, dijo Pelzer. “Nos gustaría servir a esta comunidad también. … No es sólo buscar diferentes países. También es encontrar una buena combinación de cómo podemos contribuir a la comunidad de Chicago”.Pero todos también son realistas y se dan cuenta de que cuanto mejor juegue Torres para el Fire, más probable es que atraiga el interés de los clubes europeos.Eso podría significar otro torbellino en unos años.Advertisement“Esta es una liga que ha estado creciendo durante muchos, muchos años”, dijo Torres. “Es realmente emocionante poder venir aquí porque muchos jugadores que han estado viniendo aquí, con el crecimiento de la liga, también se han ido a jugar a Europa. Y al final del día, ese es el sueño de todos, ¿verdad? Para poder ir a Europa”.Torres no será la única incorporación nueva al Fire antes de que cerró la ventana de transferencia primaria de la MLS el miércoles. Una fuente confirmó un informe del Athletic que decía que el Fire tiene un acuerdo verbal para fichar a Mueller, un nativo de Schaumburg que recientemente jugó para el Hibernian en la Premiership escocesa.Mueller, de 25 años, fue el Jugador Ofensivo del Año 2017 de los Diez Grandes en Wisconsin y jugó fútbol juvenil con Sockers FC Chicago en los suburbios del noroeste.Pelzer se negó a entrar en detalles el martes, pero insinuó que Mueller, finalista del premio al Novato del Año de la MLS 2018 con Orlando City, debería firmar a tiempo.Torres y Mueller deberían darle al Fire muchas opciones de ataque en apoyo de Xherdan Shaqiri y Kacper Przybyłko.—Este texto fue traducido por Octavio López/TCA

Sports

Giants will face Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers at London’s Tottenham Stadium Oct. 9

London is taking the Giants back to face the Pack.The Giants will take on Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 9 at 9:30 a.m. ET at Tottenham Stadium, a source tells the Daily News. The Packers will be the home team.AdvertisementThis will be the Giants’ third ever trip to London and their first to Tottenham Stadium. They are 2-0 so far in those games.They beat the Miami Dolphins, 13-10, at Wembley Stadium in the NFL’s first ever regular season game in London on Oct. 28, 2007. And they beat the Los Angeles Rams, 17-10, at Twickenham Stadium on Oct. 23, 2016.AdvertisementEli Manning was the quarterback for both of those victories.The Packers will become the 32nd NFL team to play in London since 2007.The Giants and Packers will play in London’s Tottenham Stadium this season, Daily News learns. (Ian Walton/AP)“The Green Bay Packers are excited to make our international debut during the 2022 season,” Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy said recently in a statement.On Wednesday, the NFL is expected to announce the specifics of all its 2022 international games featuring the Packers, Cardinals, Jaguars, Saints and Buccaneers.It is already known that the Bucs will play in the NFL’s inaugural regular-season game in Munich, Germany, and the Cardinals will play in Mexico City, where they hosted the league’s first-ever regular-season game outside the United States in 2005.The Saints will play in the UK for the third time. The Jaguars already announced that they will play a home game at Wembley Stadium in 2022.The NFL then will release its full regular season schedule on May 12. The Giants already know their home and road opponents.They’ll host the Cowboys, Eagles, Commanders, Ravens, Panthers, Bears, Lions, Texans and Colts.AdvertisementThey’ll visit the Cowboys, Eagles, Commanders, Packers, Jaguars, Vikings, Seahawks and Titans.And now, first year coach Brian Daboll knows he’ll be taking his team across the Atlantic Ocean.

Sports

3 Chicago Sky storylines as the WNBA champions defend their title in 2022, plus key matchups to watch

The Chicago Sky embark on a new era for the franchise when they open the 2022 season Friday.It took the team 14 years to claim its first WNBA title and with that came a few upgrades. The practice facility in Deerfield was stripped of its Bulls-themed colors, replaced by Sky blue and gold. Merchandise options have expanded for fans who were deprived for years. And the Sky will host their first All-Star Game on July 10 at Wintrust Arena.AdvertisementIt only takes one championship to change a team’s standards on and off the court. After the Sky overcame a .500 regular-season record last year to win the WNBA Finals, six-time All-Star Candace Parker believes they have more to prove.“I don’t think we were good last year,” Parker said. “We played well in the playoffs, but I don’t think as a whole we can say we had a good season. That is what is motivating me right now.Advertisement“In offseason workouts, we had conversations about how we were better than (the sixth seed). Now we just have to go out and show it.”[ [Don’t miss] Cubs and Marquee Sports Network announce a multiyear TV partnership with the Sky ]Armed with five former All-Stars and young but experienced talent, the Sky are vying to become the third team in WNBA history to win back-to-back championships and the first since the 2002 Los Angeles Sparks.First, though, they have to go through a 36-game regular season before they can think about repeating. Here are three storylines to follow as the Sky season starts.ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 34Chance the Rapper sings as Chicago Sky players dance during a rally for the WNBA champions. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)While no decisions have been made about this group’s future together, the writing is on the wall. Allie Quigley pondered retirement in the offseason, Parker recently turned 36 and Courtney Vandersloot’s overseas commitments might keep her from playing in 2023 because of the league’s new prioritization rules. Azurá Stevens and Emma Meesseman are also unrestricted free agents after this season.However, looking around the landscape of the league, the Sky have the best shot at reaching the high bar they have set for themselves. Outside of the Connecticut Sun, few teams got better in the offseason.The Seattle Storm are returning a worse version of last season’s team and are betting on their post-Olympic break downturn being due to fatigue. The Las Vegas Aces lost Liz Cambage in free agency, the Minnesota Lynx will be without Napheesa Collier, the Phoenix Mercury are waiting on Brittney Griner’s detainment in Russia to be settled and the Los Angeles Sparks have a lot of big names with questionable talent.[ [Don’t miss] Grading the Chicago Sky’s offseason moves, from trading Diamond DeShields to re-signing Kahleah Copper ]This Sky group hasn’t been together as long as the 1997-98 “Last Dance” Bulls, but the championship expectations are the same. The upper echelon of the league arguably got worse while the Sky got better. However it is framed, the Sky are primed to capitalize on what could be their final shot to win another championship with this roster.“I have stated it before: Our team is like a cheat code because we have a lot of players who can do different things,” Stevens said. “Not every team has that and it makes it hard for other teams.”AdvertisementChicago Sky forward Emma Meesseman at media day on May 3, 2022. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)There are 100 directions the Sky could go with their starting and closing lineups. Coach/general manager James Wade could roll with the lineup that won a championship last year: Vandersloot, Quigley, Kahleah Copper, Parker and Stevens.That group outscored opponents by 89 points in 161 minutes together during the 2021 playoffs. No one would bat an eye to see that lineup together again for most of the season.The wrinkle to this equation is Emma Meesseman’s domination in training camp. She has drawn rave reviews from teammates and put up an effortless 24 points in 26 minutes versus the Dallas Wings during the first preseason game.If she comes off the bench, Meesseman no doubt would be a front-runner to win the Sixth Woman of the Year Award. She thrived in that role with the Washington Mystics and has the talent to lead the second unit.[ [Don’t miss] Emma Meesseman gives the Chicago Sky a 3rd WNBA Finals MVP on the roster. Here’s how the talented forward can help the team in its repeat bid. ]However, there is a scenario in which Meesseman starts and ends games for the 2022 Sky. Stevens has dealt with injuries throughout her career but said during training camp she feels better mentally and physically. While the Sky don’t plan to restrict her minutes, if they want to ease her along so she is ready come playoff time, Stevens could end up vying for Sixth Woman of the Year honors.It’s a mystery heading into the season how Wade will alter his lineups once Copper comes back from her season in Spain. No matter what, expect both Meesseman and Stevens to receive heavy minutes.AdvertisementChicago Sky guard Dana Evans at media day on May 3, 2022. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)The Sky put a lot of miles on their starters during their 2021 playoff run. Every starter except Stevens played more than 32 minutes per game in the postseason.Vandersloot, who partially tore the plantar fascia in her left foot during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, averaged a team-high 34.4 minutes. Going with a smaller rotation in the playoffs is normal, but injuries derailed this team at the start of 2021.Heading into 2022, the Sky are rich in backcourt depth, which they hope will give their All-Star guards room to breathe. Evans has taken a major step forward in her development. Throughout camp, the former second-round pick has looked like she has mastered Wade’s system. She said her 2021 self compared with now feels like “night and day.”“I just want to be great,” Evans said. “I will never settle for just being in the league. No, I want to be one of the best players in the league. That is my goal. Sloot doesn’t need a ton of reps, so I’m just trying to get better day by day.”[ [Don’t miss] Ann Wauters, the Chicago Sky’s new assistant coach, has an impressive pedigree. Now her goal is to help them repeat. ]Evans grabbed the backup point guard spot last year after being traded to the Sky midseason, but they have other options beyond her. In a trade that sent former All-Star Diamond DeShields to Phoenix, the Sky acquired former Indiana Fever guard Julie Allemand. She still is playing in France but is eager to return to the WNBA after two years off.New assistant coach Ann Wauters believes the Sky can utilize Allemand outside of being a traditional facilitator.Advertisement“She’s going to have a different role playing behind Sloot but at the same time being that impact player we know she can be,” Wauters said. “She’s more of a combo guard. We see her being able to play behind Allie. She’s ready to get here.”Sparks at Sky, Friday: The buzz around the league is that the Sparks are a championship-caliber team after adding Chennedy Carter, Liz Cambage and Jordin Canada. That theory will be tested in the season opener by a loaded Sky frontcourt.Aces at Sky, May 28: These teams have become rivals since 2019, and this is the first season in which the Sky enter as the heavy favorite in each matchup, barring injuries.Mercury at Sky, May 31: This will be the Mercury’s first visit to Chicago since the Sky beat them in four games in the finals. The infamous hole in the visitors’ locker-room door has been repaired, but what about the Mercury’s feelings?James Kay is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.

Sports

Michael Kopech continues to learn with each start for the Chicago White Sox. ‘His stuff is electric,’ says Tim Anderson.

Chicago White Sox starter Michael Kopech knows the elements can be part of a game.The Sox and Cubs had to deal with the cold, wind and rain Tuesday in the City Series at Wrigley Field.Advertisement“The wind was the main thing. The wind was changing directions every inning,” Kopech said. “Sometimes (the elements) work with you and sometimes they work against you. Today, I felt like I was able to work with them for the most part. But it wasn’t too terrible.”Kopech remained in control in the tough conditions, allowing four hits while striking out five and walking two in four-plus scoreless innings in a 3-1 victory against the Cubs.Advertisement“His stuff is electric,” said Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, who homered in the win.White Sox starter Michael Kopech smiles as he and catcher Reese McGuire (21) walk to the dugout after retiring the Cubs in the second inning Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)Kopech didn’t qualify for the victory; Reynaldo Lopez was credited with the win after getting a double play and a strikeout in the fifth. But Kopech helped the Sox win consecutive games for the first time since April 15-16 against the Tampa Bay Rays.“Last year, I saw the hunger,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said. “I mean, he wants to be a starter. And when you have talent like that and you add desire?“You see the way he works to get ready. The breaking ball is getting more consistent. He’s moving his fastball around. He’s got a changeup, and when it gets a little warmer, he’ll use that too.“It was a tough day for pitching. In fact, I was going to get him out after four and he says, ‘I’m still good to go.’ I gave him a chance to be the winning pitcher. I said, ‘I’m not going to push it.’”[ [Don’t miss] Column: Players and fans alike weather miserable conditions for the opener of the City Series at Wrigley Field ]Kopech cruised through the first two innings, striking out three. He was tested in the third after a 14-pitch at-bat for Alfonso Rivas resulted in a walk, giving the Cubs runners on first and second with one out.Seiya Suzuki ripped a liner that first baseman José Abreu caught. Abreu beat Rivas to first to complete a double play.The Cubs loaded the bases in the fourth with a single, a walk and an error. Kopech got Yan Gomes to pop out to Abreu to end the inning.AdvertisementKopech exited after allowing a single to Nick Madrigal to begin the fifth. He lowered his ERA to 1.17 in the 83-pitch effort.“For the most part they were taking pretty good at-bats,” Kopech said. “One in particular was Rivas, 14-pitch at-bat, ended in a walk. That changed my whole outing. Credit to him there.“Also, I think some guys are going up there looking for a certain pitch and my job is to not give them that pitch or to execute a pitch that’s so good that they can’t touch it. I think I just caught a few guys in between tonight, and a couple of their guys got me.”[ [Don’t miss] Luis Robert gets a rest in the City Series opener, but the White Sox CF is responding well after returning from a groin strain ]Kopech wanted to go at least five innings, but he also acknowledged the big picture.“That’s the conversation, right?” he said. “I want to be healthy at the end of the year and able to go six, seven, eight or whatever in July, August, September, hopefully October. I completely understand, but I’m still in the position where I want to do it now. I want to do it in May, I want to do it in June, I want to do it in July.“I just want to give the best performance I can for my team every time I take the mound. And (Tuesday) could have been that. But I understand that I’ve had some high pitch counts in earlier innings that kept me from being able to do that too. So I’ve got to be more efficient.”AdvertisementKopech continues to learn with each start.“I don’t think I’ve pitched to the best of my capabilities, but I feel like I’ve had opportunities to grind and battle with what I do have,” he said. “With those opportunities, I’ve been able to take advantage of working with what I’ve got.“Lot of lessons in this first month. But I think I’ve got a lot of improvements to make too.”