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Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer and his wife, Merrill, sold their six-bedroom, 7,500-square-foot house in the Ravenswood neighborhood for $3.52 million.Hoyer, 48, was the general manager of the Cubs from 2011 until 2020 — including the team’s World Series-winning title run in 2016 — and since 2020 has been president of baseball operations.AdvertisementBuilt in 2006 and designed by the Morgante Wilson architectural firm, the house has 5½ bathrooms, an open floor plan, oversized windows, high ceilings, intricate moldings, a large kitchen with commercial-grade appliances, a newly redesigned primary bedroom suite with a walk-in closet, a second-floor lofted family room with 20-foot vaulted ceilings and a third-floor bedroom that can also be used as a den or a craft room.The lower level contains a guest room, a large recreation room and a home theater and golf simulator. The mansion has a heated 1½- car attached garage and a heated 2½ car detached garage, and it also has a screened porch and an oversized sport court in the backyard. The house sits on a lot that measures 50 feet by 161 feet, which is a large size for the city.Advertisement“It’s a wonderful home and the new family will hopefully enjoy it as much as the previous owners have,” listing agent Jeffrey Lowe of Compass told Elite Street.The Hoyers bought the mansion in July 2019 for $3.09 million. They first listed it in March for $3.65 million.The mansion had a $37,007 property tax bill in the 2020 tax year.Public records do not yet identify the buyers.Bob Goldsborough is a freelance writer.Join our Chicago Dream Homes Facebook group for more luxury listings and real estate news.

With players bailing from Tuesday’s All-Star Game at a record pace because of back spasms, groin strains and injuries yet to be announced, it’s difficult to remember who’s in and who’s out.The allure of playing in the Midsummer Classic has gone the way of the NBA’s slam dunk contest. Mike Trout, Justin Verlander, Josh Hader, Jose Altuve and others sent their regrets for various reasons. Starling Marte stole home Sunday at Wrigley Field before the New York Mets announced he wouldn’t play in the All-Star Game.AdvertisementStill, many fans will tune in because that’s what we’ve done since we were kids and ,well, it’s too late to quit.Here are a few things to know about Tuesday’s telecast from Dodger Stadium, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Fox-32 and Fox Deportes.AdvertisementWhite Sox shortstop Tim Anderson tosses a ball into the stands after the first inning against the Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 7, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)Only three: Aaron Judge, who leads the majors with 33 home runs and is entering free agency; Shohei Ohtani, the greatest hitter/pitcher combo in baseball history; and Juan Soto, who reportedly turned down a 15-year, $440 million extension offer from the Washington Nationals because it’s under market value.As of this writing, none of the three has pulled out.Locally, White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, who homered to end the Field of Dreams game against the New York Yankees last August, makes his starting debut for the American League. Anderson’s career arc — including having to overcome the shooting death of his best friend, Branden Moss, in 2017 — is known by Sox fans but deserves a retelling for a national audience.Cubs catcher Willson Contreras and his brother William, an Atlanta Braves catcher/DH, also will be featured attractions. Only four other sets of brothers have started in the same All-Star Game: Mort and Walker Cooper, Dixie and Harry Walker, Joe and Dom DiMaggio and Sandy and Roberto Alomar. It also could be Willson Contreras’ last hurrah as a Cub.Cubs outfielder Ian Happ and Sox closer Liam Hendriks, a last-minute replacement, are the other Chicago All-Stars. Sox starter Dylan Cease, a deserving candidate, was snubbed.The decision was made by MLB honchos when fan balloting began in 1970. The powers that be decided fans were not smart enough to pick deserving pitchers but followed the game enough to choose the eight position players. It’s an archaic rule that makes no sense and hopefully will be changed whenever Theo Epstein takes over.[ [Don’t miss] Meet Arch Ward, the sports editor who created MLB’s All-Star Game ]Some undeserving pitchers certainly might be selected, just as some undeserving position players get in every year because of name recognition. That’s a perk of stardom — getting into an All-Star Game is akin to a Hollywood celebrity getting into a nightclub through a side door. And once you’re in, you’re in.Fox Sports play-by-play announcer Joe Buck, left, and analyst Troy Aikman work in the broadcast booth before a preseason NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars on Aug. 22, 2019. (Lynne Sladky/AP)The longtime Fox broadcaster will be unable to call the All-Star Game because he left for ESPN last winter. So Twitter trolls accusing Buck of disrespecting their favorite team will be scarce. He also won’t be there to ask any mic’d-up outfielders about being trade bait at the deadline, as he did with Kris Bryant last year.AdvertisementJoe Davis is the new voice of the All-Star Game. He’s the Dodgers play-by-play man and a Midwest boy who grew up in Pottersville, Mich., listening to Len Kasper and Pat Hughes call Cubs games.Davis was recruited to Beloit College by alumnus and NBC Sports Chicago reporter K.C. Johnson. By the way, Davis also is very good at his job and deserves a listen without judging him against Buck.Unfortunately, John Smoltz remains in the Fox booth, so keep the remote handy in case he filibusters about the state of the game. Mostly. After last year’s inane decision to wear league jerseys instead of players’ usual team uniforms, the white and gray jerseys of the National and American leagues will have the player’s team letter in gold on the front. It has something to do with the Oscars. Don’t ask.[ [Don’t miss] Column: Ranking all 30 MLB teams heading into the All-Star break. Where do the White Sox and Cubs stand? ]Longtime Dodgers fan Larry King died in 2021. But this is a good opportunity for MLB to honor King, the Babe Ruth of celebrity baseball fans.No Gen X or millennial celebrity has picked up King’s torch, a bad omen for the national pastime. Still, many Hollywood celebrities are expected to be on hand, including popular recording artists and actors who will elicit the following response from middle Americans watching at home: “Whozat?”AdvertisementExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 79White Sox players greet Tim Anderson (7) at the plate after the shortstop hit a walk-off home run in the ninth inning to beat the Yankees 9-8 in the Field of Dreams game Thursday in Dyersville, Iowa. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)The early line is 12½. The second game, scheduled for Aug. 11 on Fox, features two of the worst teams in baseball: the Cubs and Cincinnati Reds. It needs all the hype it can get since you really can’t replicate the moment Kevin Costner walked through the cornfield before the White Sox-Yankees game, much less Anderson’s walk-off home run into the corn.Former baseball stats guru Peter Hirdt once suggested to Tribune baseball columnist Jerome Holtzman that MLB stage two All-Star Games. The fans would vote for one, and the players and coaches would vote for the other. Many players, of course, would be selected for both. Everyone would be happy.I’d update that idea and make it two seven-inning games, perhaps with a between-games show. Starters, of course, could be used only once. Before fan balloting began in 1970, MLB staged two All-Star Games from 1959-62 to help the players association fund its pension plan.Hard to imagine Baker doing otherwise, but even he knows getting in as many players as possible is on the All-Star agenda. Commissioner Rob Manfred and the MLBPA agreed in the 2017 CBA to remove the so-called Bud Selig rule, which gave the winner home-field advantage in the World Series, and finally made it a true exhibition game with nothing at stake.A better idea would be giving teams a financial incentive to actually play — and win — and letting managers use real strategy instead of trying to make every player and team’s fans happy.Maybe then we wouldn’t see players dropping out like flies.AdvertisementOf course. You’re a baseball fan. That’s what you do.

MONTERREY, Mexico — Alex Morgan converted on a penalty in the 78th minute and the U.S. national team won the CONCACAF W Championship 1-0 over Canada on Monday night to secure one of the region’s spots in the 2024 Olympics.As FIFA President Gianni Infantino watched from a private box, the United States finally broke a stalemate when Rose Lavelle was fouled in the box and Morgan fooled Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan on the penalty. It was Morgan’s 118th career goal.AdvertisementJamaica defeated Costa Rica 1-0 in overtime earlier Monday to claim third place in the tournament.The four semifinalists all earlier earned spots in the 2023 World Cup next summer in Australia and New Zealand. Runner-up Canada will play Jamaica in a playoff for the region’s other Olympic bid in September 2023.AdvertisementThe United States is now 33-0 in World Cup or Olympic qualifying matches since losing to Mexico 2-1 in advance of the 2011 World Cup.The game was a rematch of the Olympic semifinal a year ago in Tokyo. Canada edged the United States 1-0 on a late penalty kick to advance to the final, its first victory over the Americans in 20 years.The Canadians went on to win the gold medal on a penalty shootout with Sweden. The U.S. team finished with the bronze.Alyssa Naeher was in goal for the United States instead of Casey Murphy, who started the previous game in the tournament. Defender Emily Fox also returned to the lineup from COVID-19 protocol.Temperatures hovered in the low 90s at the start of the match at Estadio BBVA. Sheridan had a big save in the 31st minute when Mallory Pugh made a break down the right side and took a hard shot at the goal.She made another in the 45th, with an assist from teammate Kadeisha Buchanan, on Sophia Smith’s scramble to score at the goal line. Smith had another chance in the 64th, but it went wide.Canada had a flurry of late opportunities, including a header from Jordyn Huitema that went wide.Kalyssa van Zanten scored in the 102nd minute to give Jamaica the edge in the earlier game. Van Zanten, who plays for Notre Dame, came into the game as a substitute in the 99th minute and scored on a well-placed pass from Drew Spence.Advertisement“I talked to her before she goes in and told her there’s a goal in those boots and she nodded to me and it gave her some confidence,” said Jamaica coach Lorne Donaldson, who took over the Reggae Girlz early last month amid upheaval.Costa Rica had perhaps the best opportunity in the first half when Melissa Herrera faced Jamaica goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer alone, but her shot went wide left.Rocky Rodriguez, who plays for the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League, hit the post with a shot in stoppage time, and the game went to overtime.Costa Rica fell to the United States 3-0 in the semifinals, while Jamaica lost to Canada 3-0. Jamaica and Costa Rica each have been to the World Cup once before.The United States has been to every World Cup since the tournament started in 1991. The Americans have four titles, including the last two in 2015 and 2019.

LOS ANGELES — Juan Soto’s name came up recently in trade speculation after he reportedly turned down a 15-year, $440 million contract offer to stay with the Washington Nationals.The outfielder was in the spotlight during Monday’s media sessions.AdvertisementAnd Monday night, he took center stage by winning the Home Run Derby.Soto tossed his bat high in the air after his 19th homer in the finals, surpassing Seattle Mariners rookie Julio Rodríguez to win by one.Advertisement“It feels amazing,” Soto told ESPN in an on-field interview.Nationals outfielder Juan Soto, right, celebrates afer winning the Home Run Derby on Monday, July 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Abbie Parr/AP)Soto, 23, and the 21-year old Rodríguez are examples of some of the game’s young talent. One of the game’s all-time greats — 42-year old Albert Pujols — also provided highlights.Players on the National League All-Star team gathered around Pujols before the St. Louis Cardinals great began his bonus round in his opening-round matchup with Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies.Players on the American League roster ran over from near the other dugout to show appreciation for Pujols, who is in his 22nd major-league season.Soon, every All-Star who was at the Home Run Derby circled Pujols in an impromptu salute.“That was pretty awesome,” Pujols said when interviewed on the field immediately after his round.Albert Pujols of the Cardinals, left, is hugged by National League teammates during the Home Run Derby on Monday, July 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)Pujols wasn’t finished. The former Cub Schwarber, the event’s top seed, also finished his round with 13 home runs, leading to a one-minute “swing-off.”Chants of “Albert Pujols” echoed throughout the ballpark. Cheers grew louder with each homer.AdvertisementPujols finished the first-round matchup with one more homer than Schwarber before losing in the semifinals to Soto.Rodríguez reached the finals after hitting 32 homers in his opening-round win against Corey Seager of the Texas Rangers and 31 in the semifinals, denying the New York Mets’ Pete Alonso the chance for a three-peat.Rodríguez went first in the finals and hit 18 home runs. Soto knew what he had to reach and celebrated between home and the mound after coming out on top.

LOS ANGELES — Willson and William Contreras sat back to back in booths Monday afternoon at Dodger Stadium’s Center Field Plaza, answering questions from reporters.Tuesday, the brothers will be batting back to back in the All-Star Game.AdvertisementWillson, the Chicago Cubs catcher, is sixth in the National League lineup. William, of the Atlanta Braves, is slotted seventh as the designated hitter.“This is one in a lifetime,” Willson said on All-Star workout day. “This is one experience that we will never forget. This is amazing for me and my family. Real proud of what we’ve done together.Advertisement“And hopefully we can keep that coming. Hopefully it’s not only one. Hopefully we get to spend more All-Star Games together.”William didn’t know how the lineup stacked up until a reporter asked him about it.“That was something we were talking (Sunday night) at dinner,” William said through an interpreter. “It’s really something happy for us to share.”It’s the first time since Roberto and Sandy Alomar Jr. in 1992 that brothers will start an All-Star Game together.Willson’s Cubs teammate Ian Happ, a first-time All-Star, predicted “a lot of tears.”“It’s going to be so cool for them,” Happ said. “Just seeing them in the clubhouse being able to say hello to each other. What a really special moment for those two to be able to put on the same All-Star jersey and share that field.”National League All-Star William Contreras of the Atlanta Braves looks on during All-Star workout day at Dodger Stadium on July 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)Late in Monday’s media session, William walked over to his older brother’s booth and the two took questions.“We saw each other last night and we hugged each other and said, ‘We finally did it,’” Willson said. “It was a dream come true. I’m really proud of my brother because I have shared a lot of experiences with him and he’s making the adjustments at the right time. That’s why I think he deserves to be in the All-Star Game.”AdvertisementThe White Sox shortstop doesn’t have a particular National League pitcher he’d like to face.“It don’t matter,” Anderson said with a laugh. “I just want to get in the box.”Voted the American League’s starting shortstop, Anderson is the No. 7 batter in the AL lineup. It’s his second All-Star Game and first start. He was on deck when the ninth inning ended last year in Denver. This year he’s in line for at least one plate appearance.“It means a lot,” Anderson said of being a starter. “It hasn’t happened in 50-plus years in White Sox history (Luis Aparicio in 1970), so it’s definitely a blessing. It’s definitely a dream come true.“I never imagined being a starter or even being at an All-Star Game. I’ll always be thankful.”Anderson appreciated the support from fans.Advertisement“The class is deep,” Anderson said. “Shortstop is a hot positon and for me to be able to start is crazy. I’m just having fun and enjoying the moment.”While the Sox didn’t live up to expectations in the first half, they won five of their last six before the All-Star break. That included taking three of four against the first-place Minnesota Twins to get within three games in the AL Central standings.“That was definitely huge to finish out that way against a good ballclub,” Anderson said. “You saw what they did to us when they came to our place (the Twins won two of three July 4-6). Hopefully we continue to keep playing that way and hopefully get back in this thing.”During last year’s All-Star Monday at Coors Field, Kris Bryant answered questions about his future with the Cubs.Contreras and Happ, this year’s Cubs representatives, fielded similar questions Monday.Contreras, an impending free agent, was asked if it had gone through his mind that his third All-Star appearance might be his last as a Cub.Advertisement“It’s not like I haven’t thought of that,” he said. “But this is my third time as a Cubs player and I’m really proud and thankful because the Chicago Cubs were the first team that saw me in Venezuela. They were the first team that gave me the opportunity to be a pro baseball player and I will always be thankful, no matter what happens.“No matter what the future holds, no matter what the outcome is, I feel like Chicago will always be my home, even if I end up playing in a different city.”National League All-Stars Ian Happ of the Chicago Cubs and Jake Cronenworth of the San Diego Padres during All-Star workout day at Dodger Stadium on July 18, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)Happ is a free agent after the 2023 season.“The connection that I have to Chicago, the city, the organization, I put this jersey on every day,” he said. “Wrigley Field is a place you go to work and it’s pretty special.” Asked what he learned from watching former teammates navigate through uncertainty, Happ said: “The thing I took away from it, as tough as it was to lose friends, those guys are still playing baseball and doing really well.“Joc (Pederson is) an All-Star. (Anthony Rizzo) has (22) homers before the break. Kris is happy where he is, Javy (Báez) is happy where he is. Guys end up being OK and playing baseball and still having a great time.”AdvertisementAs for the present, Happ is having a great time sharing the All-Star experience with his family.“You can’t put into words how awesome it is to get to share that with the family and with those people who have been there through everything,” he said. “They’ve been there through the great moments, when I played as a kid, all the travel and the struggles all the way through. So to be able to enjoy this together is really, really special.”The Sox closer found out Sunday morning that he had been added to the AL All-Star roster. A lot of planning quickly followed.“Trying to figure out flights, figuring out my parents’ flights, trying to get the dogs to sitters and someone to take care of the cats,” Hendriks said. “My wife, who was in Chicago at the time, getting out here. Her flight was delayed, she booked another flight to make sure she got here on time.He added with a laugh, “Other than that, it’s been fun.”Hendriks was not needed in relief Sunday, as the Sox beat the Twins 11-0 at Target Field.Advertisement“So I didn’t have to worry about adding stress and pitching as well,” he said.Hendriks said all the last-minute planning was well worth it.“Without a doubt,” he said. “You go through the stress levels of that, it’s always an honor to be out here and experience this. Whether it be the first day (named to the roster) or the last day, it’s always an honor to come here and represent the White Sox in back-to-back years.”

In a potentially seismic event in the Chicago sports market, the Blackhawks and TV analyst Eddie Olczyk appear to be parting ways.Olczyk likely won’t return as a color commentator for Hawks games on NBC Sports Chicago, the Tribune confirmed. The Athletic first reported the expected split Monday.AdvertisementAccording to The Athletic, “negotiations stalled” before the Hawks could officially renew Olczyk’s contract, which expired June 30.Olczyk could not be reached for comment.AdvertisementA Hawks source said the team believed it had given the former Hawks forward an “above-market offer” on a multiyear contract extension that “significantly” increased his salary per game.Team officials thought they had reached a verbal agreement weeks ago and were awaiting Olczyk’s signature, the source said, and they were “blindsided” by Monday’s development.Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.Under his old contract, Olczyk was paid for a full 82-game schedule, though each year he would bow out of local games on occasion to work for TNT and other national hockey broadcasts as well as to handicap horse racing for NBC.The new wrinkle was the Hawks wanted to switch to a per-game rate, though they sweetened the offer for each game. According to the team source, “Eddie still would have been one of the highest-paid broadcasters across the league.”The Hawks hadn’t been calling possible replacements for Olczyk, the source said, but exploring fill-ins for those occasions when he would be assigned to national broadcasts.Olczyk has been the Hawks color commentator since the 2006-07 season, when he was paired with Dan Kelly.But it was the combination of Olczyk and Pat Foley, who joined him in 2008, that became synonymous with Hawks broadcasts.Foley stepped away from his play-by-play duties after last season’s farewell tour. Despite speculation that he was pushed out, both Foley and the Hawks said his exit was amicable.AdvertisementChris Vosters was named Foley’s successor and will need a new partner if Olczyk doesn’t return next season.

The North Carolina woman who sued the Chicago Bears and defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. last year voluntarily dismissed her complaint earlier this month, according to Mecklenburg County court records.On Oct. 14, Joann Blakney filed a civil complaint that accused Edwards of assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress and the Bears of negligent supervision and defamation relating to an altercation at a Charlotte, N.C., hotel on Oct. 17, 2020.AdvertisementThe Bears filed a motion to dismiss their case, but Blakney withdrew her complaint before the team’s motion was to be heard in court this month. A Bears source said the team did not attempt to reach a settlement with Blakney. Edwards also did not attempt to settle, according to his agent, Peter Schaffer.Blakney also dismissed complaints against Bears vice president of security John Tarpey and Stanford Hotels Corporation employees Paul Horner and Jeffrey A. Burton, court records show.AdvertisementCriminal charges against both Edwards and Blakney from the October 2020 incident are still pending, according to the Mecklenburg County district attorney’s office.Blakney’s attorney, Arcangela Mazzariello, said in an email she plans to refile the civil complaint after dealing with her client’s criminal charge of misdemeanor simple assault. Mazzariello said the criminal case is on the court docket this week.Edwards faces a criminal charge of misdemeanor assault on a female, but the summons has not been served because he has not returned to North Carolina.The incident happened the night before the Bears played the Carolina Panthers in October 2020.[ [Don’t miss] Chicago Bears take Mario Edwards Jr.’s assault charge ‘very seriously,’ Matt Nagy says. The team was informed of incident the night it happened. ]According to the suit, Blakney said she engaged in consensual oral sex with Edwards but he became violent when she rejected his request to have intercourse. Schaffer said last year that Edwards engaged in consensual sexual activity with Blakney and left when she became angry over a disagreement about the extent of their relationship.Blakney alleged in the complaint that shortly after the incident Bears employees asked if she wanted or needed money, brought Edwards to her despite her wishes and falsely said publicly she was a prostitute.A police report obtained by the Tribune listed Edwards and a 28-year-old woman as victims and said officers were responding to a report of “a female hitting a male with her hand and scratching his forehead.” The report stated that Blakney went to the hospital for her injuries, which were listed as “bruises/scratches.” She said in the suit the injuries included a concussion and trauma to her vision and abdomen.The NFL completed an investigation of the incident last summer and concluded “there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that there was a violation of the Personal Conduct Policy.”AdvertisementEdwards is in the second year of a three-year, $11.66 million contract with the Bears.

J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School (GBN) graduate, brought the Stanley Cup to Northbrook on July 15.The Colorado Avalanche recently clinched the 2022 NHL championship and Stanley Cup. Compher is a center for the Colorado Avalanche.AdvertisementCompher shared the Stanley Cup at a Friday Northbrook Park District event at the Northbrook Sports Center on the same rink where Compher experienced ice hockey as a Northbrook Bluehawks youth player.“To be in Northbrook for today is super special to me,” Compher said. “I grew up here, I played all sports here, played hockey in this rink for a long time, just super excited to see everyone that’s helped me get to this point.AdvertisementHolding the Stanley Cup is J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate, pictured with the Glenbrook North High School hockey team. Image from the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)“There’s been people that played large roles, small roles, all important though, to make sure I was able to, first, live my dream as a professional hockey player and now as a Stanley Cup champion.“This is why it feels as good as it does because of the support that I get from people in this town,” Compher said. “That’s what makes it so special, is how many people helped me get here.”Compher made an afternoon visit with the Stanley Cup to the Landmark Inn Bar and Grille in downtown Northbrook, surprising diners.Earlier, Compher brought the cup to a Northbrook fire station, then to the 11:15 a.m. sports center where a large turnout awaited.There, Northbrook Village President Kathryn L. Ciesla presented Compher with a village proclamation featuring a red and white ribbon gold seal, proclaiming July 15, 2022 as J.T. Compher Day.Northbrook Village President Kathryn L. Ciesla takes a Stanley Cup photo with J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate and member of the 2022 championship team, the Colorado Avalanche. Image from the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)Also present were Compher’s parents Bob and Valerie Compher plus siblings Morgan Compher, 25, and Jesse Compher, 23, who won an Olympic silver medal with the 2022 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey team at last winter’s Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, China.J.T. Compher’s girlfriend Sydney Badger of Las Vegas, Nevada also attended.“This is the best part of living in a town like Northbrook where it’s just wholesome, it’s excellent,” Ciesla said.Advertisement“A kid, a family, right? … of great athletes, comes back and shares their happiness with us, it’s perfect,” Ciesla said with a smile.“It’s wonderful, like this is exactly what the town needs and I think especially after recent events in Highland Park, I think it’s really nice to remember but move forward in a positive way,” Ciesla said, referring to the recent mass shooting at the July 4 parade in downtown Highland Park. “I think kids need it, parents need it.”At the sports center podium, J.T. Compher called for a moment of silence for Highland Park.The GBN ice hockey team was present along with Northbrook Bluehawks youth athletes.Center, Ryan Sandler, 16, of Northbrook, a rising junior at Glenbrook North High School and on the GBN hockey team, is seen through the Stanley Cup and on right is J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate and member of the Colorado Avalanche.  Images from the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)“What he’s doing is amazing,” said hockey player Ryan Sandler, 16, of Northbrook, a rising junior at GBN.“Seeing a Northbrook kid like us doing something on a stage this big is great.”AdvertisementEli Firsel, 12, of Northbrook, a rising seventh-grader and Northbrook Bluehawks player, said, “I think that it shows people that you can keep chasing your dream.”J.T. Compher said the Stanley Cup arrived about 8:30 a.m. on Friday at the family’s west Northbrook residence. Compher took the Stanley Cup upstairs to his childhood bedroom during the visit.His mother Valerie made chocolate chip pancakes, serving the hot cakes with syrup and butter in the top bowl of the Stanley Cup.“My mom’s made those (chocolate chip pancakes) since we were kids,” J.T. Compher said.The taste of chocolate chip pancakes from the Stanley Cup, “was really good,” Jesse Compher said.“It’s nice to have everyone back home.”AdvertisementLeft, J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate, shares a moment with sister U.S. Olympian women’s hockey silver medalist Jesse Compher, 23, a 2017 Glenbrook North High School graduate. Images from the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)While at home that morning, “She (Jesse) put the (silver Olympic) medal around the Stanley Cup and we were talking (about) how many siblings have an Olympic hockey medal and the Stanley Cup.“We don’t think there’s that many so it’s special and I’m super proud of her,” J.T. Compher added.Valerie Compher said about chocolate chip pancakes, “It’s the all time family favorite so having to share that in the Stanley Cup, I mean, how could that be bad?“We all took a fork and we all took bites out of it.”Bob Compher said, “It’s one of our go-to meals before hockey tournaments,” adding the approximate 10 chocolate chip pancakes that Friday with “no whipped cream, just syrup straight” are, “part of the tradition.”Photo opportunity donations at the sports center benefited Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook (of Glenview).Advertisement“It’s just awesome to have an event like this with the Stanley Cup in our backyard,” said Amy O’Leary, Youth Services executive director.J.T. Compher joined the Buffalo Sabres via the second round of the 2013 NHL Draft and was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in 2015. His name will be engraved with the Colorado Avalanche on the bottom rim of the Stanley Cup.“Sixty years they said it’ll be on there,” J.T. Compher said.J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate, kisses the Stanley Cup. Image from the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)“I still have to pinch myself sometimes.“It comes in waves, excitement and then it sometimes feels weird to even be by it (Stanley Cup).“It’s just crazy right now,” Compher added.Advertisement“To see how excited people get, kids, grown adults, everyone, their eyes light up and they say how shiny it is,” Compher also said about the Stanley Cup.“This thing’s a rock star.”Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.Here are a few more photos from Friday:With the Compher family of Northbrook. From left, Sydney Badger of Las Vegas, Nevada, Morgan Compher, 25, Bob Compher, J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate and member of the 2022 NHL championship team, the Colorado Avalanche, Valerie Compher and U.S. Olympian women’s hockey silver medalist Jesse Compher, 23, a 2017 Glenbrook North High School graduate. Imagefrom the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)During a moment of silence for the July 4, 2022 victims of the Highland Park mass shooting is J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate. Image from the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)People wait to have photos taken with the Stanley Cup and J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate and member of the 2022 championship team, the Colorado Avalanche. Image from the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate, carries in the Stanley Cup in a surprise entrance for fans before stepping onto the ice for a presentation. The Stanley Cup will soon have Compher’s name engraved on the trophy due to the 2022 championship win of the Colorado Avalanche. Image from the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)J.T. Compher, 27, a 2013 Glenbrook North High School graduate, points to the spot on the Stanley Cup which will have Compher’s name on it as part of the 2022 championship team, the Colorado Avalanche. Compher’s name will be on the cup for 60 years, Compher said. Imagefrom the J.T. Compher Stanley Cup appearance at the Northbrook Sports Center on July 15, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

Relatives of people killed on Sept. 11, 2001, are urging former President Donald Trump to cancel a Saudi-backed golf tournament set to be held this month at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey.In a letter dated Sunday, members of the group 9/11 Justice asked to meet with Trump and urged him not to host the event, set for July 29-31, noting that Trump has blamed Saudi Arabia for the attack.Advertisement“We simply cannot understand how you could agree to accept money from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s golf league to host their tournament at your golf course, and to do so in the shadows of ground zero in New Jersey, which lost over 700 residents during the attacks,” they wrote in the letter.“It is incomprehensible to us that a former president of the United States would cast our loved ones aside for personal financial gain,” they wrote to Trump, who is expected to run for president again in 2024. “We hope you will reconsider your business relationship with the Saudi golf league and will agree to meet with us.”AdvertisementIn the letter, the group noted that Trump told Fox News in February 2016: “Who blew up the World Trade Center? It wasn’t the Iraqis. It was Saudi. Take a look at Saudi Arabia.” He went on to say: “The people came, most of the people came from Saudi Arabia. They didn’t come from Iraq.”On Sunday night, Brett Eagleson, the president of 9/11 Justice, said he emailed the letter to a Trump aide in the afternoon and had not received a response.Eagleson, who was 15 when his father died on Sept. 11, said the stakes here were clear. It is “allowing the Saudis to literally get away with murder if this golf tournament is allowed to proceed,” he said in an interview.“It just sends a message that with the right amount of money, you can make people forget about anything,” he said, adding, “If anyone knows the extent of the Saudi role in 9/11, it’s Trump.”Messages left at Trump’s club in Bedminster, and with a spokesman for Trump, were also not immediately answered.The Saudi-sponsored golf league is part of a campaign by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to refresh the kingdom’s image in the eyes of the world.The man who defeated Trump in 2020, President Joe Biden, has recently faced criticism for his own connection to Saudi Arabia. Last week during a Middle East trip, Biden fist-bumped Crown Prince Mohammed, who was judged responsible by the CIA for the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.Biden said he confronted Crown Prince Mohammed about the killing during a closed-door meeting with him; Saudi officials contradicted his account.Advertisementc.2022 The New York Times Company

The trade deadline became a bit more suspenseful this past weekend when the Athletic reported that Washington outfielder Juan Soto turned down a $440 million, 15-year contract offer to stay with the Nationals.Suddenly, social media was ablaze with talk of Soto possibly being traded, and what kind of incredible offer it might take to acquire him.AdvertisementA deal involving the 23-year-old superstar would be seismic because of his talent, his youth and the fact that he’s not due to be a free agent until after the 2024 season. Any team considering acquiring Soto would have to weigh how likely he’d be to stay there, but even 2 1/2 years of him could be worth quite a bit.It’s moments like these that online trade simulators were meant for, and baseballtradevalues.com was probably getting a lot of hits Saturday. That site tries to put a figure on a player’s value, while accounting for his contract status. For example, Soto’s trade value (his projected on-field worth minus his salary) is listed on the site as $193.7 million, trailing only Wander Franco ($286 million), Ronald Acuña Jr. ($221.2 million) and José Ramírez ($209 million) in all of baseball.AdvertisementSo when using the site’s trade simulator, the goal is to line up a deal in which the Nationals get around $193.7 million in value in exchange for Soto. Let’s have some fun with this.For the purposes of this exercise, we’ll assume all no-trade clauses will be waived as needed. All prospect rankings are from MLB Pipeline, and trade value figures in parentheses are in millions:Deal No. 1: Soto ($193.7) to the Red Sox for SS Marcelo Mayer ($55.4), 1B Trison Casas ($39.7), RHP Brayan Bello ($28.8), RHP Tanner Houck ($27.1), 2B Nick Yorke ($25.2) and SS Xander Bogaerts ($22)If a player like Soto comes available, you immediately start thinking about wealthy teams already in contention – the franchises that can benefit right away from adding him and have the wherewithal to keep him long term. The Dodgers and Yankees fit that description, but they only have one top-25 prospect each.In this deal, Boston would be giving up the No. 10, 14, 44 and 64 prospects — and Bogaerts, a four-time All-Star who can become a free agent after this season. If Washington feels it can extend him, would a trade like this make sense?Deal No. 2: Soto ($193.7) to the Cardinals for OF Dylan Carlson ($72.8), 3B Jordan Walker ($61.6), 2B Nolan Gorman ($32.4) and OF Tyler O’Neill ($28.3)Walker is the game’s ninth-ranked prospect, and Carlson and Gorman are high draft picks who have reached the big leagues but haven’t turned 24 yet. O’Neill hit 34 homers last year.Deal No. 3: Soto ($193.7) to the Tigers for OF Riley Greene ($72), 1B Spencer Torkelson ($64.1) and LHP Tarik Skubal ($55)AdvertisementWashington would receive baseball’s No. 1 prospect (Greene), the top pick in the 2020 draft (Torkelson) and a 25-year-old (Skubal) who has shown promise in the majors. Detroit made a deal like this when it acquired Miguel Cabrera, but that only worked out because the Tigers were able to keep him long term. It makes little sense for them to bring in Soto unless they’re prepared to spend what it takes to hold on to him.Deal No. 4: Soto ($193.7) to the Giants for RHP Logan Webb ($79), SS Marco Luciano ($54.3), LHP Kyle Harrison ($39.2) and OF Luis Matos ($19.3)San Francisco has come back to earth after its 107-win campaign a year ago, so perhaps the Giants would want to pursue a reboot with Soto. In this deal, they’d have to trade two top-25 prospects and an impressive young pitcher in Webb, but if they could keep Soto they’d have a lengthy window to build a good roster around him.Deal No. 5: Soto ($193.7) to the Padres for 2B Jake Cronenworth ($54.5), SS C.J. Abrams ($52.1), LHP MacKenzie Gore ($42.4) and OF Robert Hassell III ($38.7)Even if San Diego only had Soto for a couple years, teaming him up with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado is an enticing idea. And the Padres can afford to move Abrams because of Tatis’ presence. Whether this package is enough to move the needle for Washington is another matter.Deal No. 6: Soto ($193.7) to the Marlins for RHP Eury Pérez ($68.8), LHP Trevor Rogers ($61.6), OF Jesús Sánchez ($31.5) and RHP Max Meyer ($29)AdvertisementThis seems far fetched, in part because Miami is in Washington’s division, but if the Marlins want to shed their reputation as a franchise that lets superstars go, there’s no time like the present. The value numbers line up for this trade, and Miami could pull it off while still having a nucleus of Sandy Alcantara, Jazz Chisholm and Pablo López waiting to play with Soto. The Nationals get two top-25 prospects in Pérez and Meyer, plus two 24-year-old big leaguers in Rogers and Sánchez.Deal No. 7: Soto ($193.7) to the Angels for OF Mike Trout ($115.7), OF Taylor Ward ($59.3) and LHP Reid Detmers ($21)Now we’re into fantasyland — or are we? Having largely wasted a decade of Trout’s greatness, would the the Angels hit the reset button by dealing him for another star outfielder seven years younger? Trout has a huge contract of his own, but if the Nationals were prepared to give one to Soto, perhaps they’d be willing to pay Trout and hope he can keep playing at an MVP level well into his 30s.And last but not least, a bonus deal for those of you who just like to watch the world burn:Soto ($193.7) to the Phillies for OF Bryce Harper ($70), RHP Mick Abel ($28.2), SS Bryson Stott ($26.7), RHP Andrew Painter ($25.8), 3B Alec Bohm ($23.1) and LHP Ranger Suárez ($20.4).