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CLEVELAND — Dylan Cease ranks among the best in the American League in several pitching categories.He led the league in strikeouts per nine innings (13.01) entering Monday and was second in strikeouts (133) and fourth in ERA (2.45).AdvertisementDespite the impressive numbers, Cease’s name did not appear Sunday afternoon when Major League Baseball announced the pitchers and reserves for this year’s All-Star Game.“It’s disappointing, but I can’t control it so I’m just going to focus on what I can control,” Cease said before Monday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field.AdvertisementCease will be back on the mound Tuesday in Game 2 of a split doubleheader against the Guardians. Davis Martin is slated to pitch Game 1.Cease has built on his 2021 season, when he showed growth while going 13-7 with a 3.91 ERA and 226 strikeouts.[ [Don’t miss] Column: White Sox need more than a couple of wins to prove they’re a serious threat in the AL Central ]He’s 7-4 in 17 starts, and his 2.3 WAR is seventh among AL pitchers, according to Baseball Reference.“He’s got the type of stuff that could be special,” Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal said last week at Guaranteed Rate Field. “He’s made huge strides from the first year I got here to now.”The All-Star pitchers and reserves were selected via a combination of the player ballot — a vote by players, managers and coaches — and by MLB, according to the All-Star Game release distributed Sunday.Cease has received support throughout baseball after his name wasn’t on the list. Former teammate Carlos Rodón told The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly that Cease “put together a first half better than a lot of guys on that list.” Carlos Rodón said an All-Star snub hurts more for guys who haven’t received the honor in the past. He seemed more bothered that his former White Sox teammate, Dylan Cease, was left off. “He put together a first half better than a lot of guys on that list.”— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) July 10, 2022
Cease said Rodón’s comment “means a lot.”“Carlos and I are good friends, so it was cool he had my back like that,” Cease said.AdvertisementA chance remains that Cease could be added as a replacement if spots become available, which often happens in the lead-up to the All-Star Game. The game is scheduled for July 19 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.“A lot of things happen within the last week, so I wouldn’t give up,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said.Cease is concentrating on continuing to elevate his game.“In my mind I think there’s still room to get better as always,” he said. “If I continue to focus on what I think needs to be fixed and I just continue to take care of the basics and fundamentals, it should take care of itself.”[ [Don’t miss] Tim Anderson is ‘very thankful’ to be the 1st White Sox shortstop to start the All-Star Game since 1970 ]Still, he’s glad to see some of the work he has put in paying off.“It’s definitely more fun when you have good results, and this is definitely the most competent I’ve ever been as a pitcher, the best numbers I’ve put up, all of that,” Cease said. “It’s a little disappointing that as a team we aren’t where we want to be. That would be the most fun, good numbers and team’s doing well. But I’m pretty proud of myself and happy with a lot of the adjustments that have been made.”AdvertisementThe Sox began their final trip before the All-Star break with the first of four games in three days against the Guardians. That’s followed by four in Minnesota against the first-place Twins.Chicago #WhiteSox president Ken Williams addressed the players and staff on Friday about their underachieving performance this season, reminding them of their talent, but that it was time to focus and pull together. No one was absolved, from staff to players, for the team’s woes.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 11, 2022
They entered Monday with a 41-43 record, and USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote Sunday, “There have been a lot of whispers of unrest, cliques and the lack of player leadership inside the clubhouse tearing apart this talented team.”La Russa said of the report: “You always wonder who the sources are, where the information came from. Not really worth much unless you know that. I think I’m closer to it than whoever the sources are. Our coaches are closer to it. But you know, when you have expectations, talked about it and they’re disappointing, there ain’t no free lunch.“I like the veterans. And I like the way our young guys respond to their responsibilities and their willingness to step forward. It’s a terrific mix. That’s why stuff like that always is something. Put it this way: Either whoever the sources are are right or the coaches and I are wrong. So you take your pick. You watch us, you can agree wherever — it’s the beauty of this situation. Everybody has their own opinion, just like strategy. Either they’re right or we are wrong.”Cease likes the team’s chemistry.“It honestly makes coming into the clubhouse and to the park a lot more enjoyable,” he said. “I consider this a pretty close-knit group, so, yeah, it’s definitely not an issue on this team.”
When Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine entered his first summer as an unrestricted free agent, he kept his cards close to the vest.The two-time All-Star guard said he couldn’t commit to remaining in Chicago and planned to take as many calls as possible to weigh the market as he pursued a maximum contract.AdvertisementBut in the end, LaVine said he didn’t take a single meeting with another NBA team. Within the first 24 hours of the free-agency window, LaVine had committed to a lucrative future — $215 million over five years — while chasing a title with the Bulls.“My heart was in Chicago,” LaVine said during a Monday news conference.AdvertisementLaVine said he approached free agency with an “open mind” and researched other teams before sitting down for a dinner with Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas, general manager Marc Eversley and coach Billy Donovan. After building the roster around him the last two years, LaVine said the front office didn’t hesitate to grant all of his requests.He described the dinner as celebratory — and, he added, an opportunity to get the front office to pick up the tab for some expensive wine.[ [Don’t miss] Marko Simonović hopes to earn a Bulls rotation spot after bulking up in the offseason: ‘I’m ready to work’ ]“Once they came to me with everything I wanted, there was no other reason for me to go outside and look at any other team,” LaVine said. “I think that would have been pretty disrespectful on my end. They gave me everything I asked for.”While other Eastern Conference teams made blockbuster trades for new centerpiece players this offseason, the Bulls stuck to their plan to maintain the same core unit from last season. They have added only five new faces to the roster: veterans Andre Drummond and Goran Dragić and rookies Dalen Terry, Justin Lewis and Javon Freeman-Liberty.Despite a quiet free-agency period, LaVine voiced excitement about the Bulls additions. He described Terry as an “exciting, competitive” player and said he exchanged texts with Dragić and Drummond, who hopes to train with LaVine in California later this summer.LaVine said the Bulls believe they can improve on the 2021-22 season with the same starting group.Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) and forward DeMar DeRozan (11) head to the locker room after a playoff loss to the Bucks at the United Center on April 24, 2022. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)“People are going to move each and every year, and there’s still a lot of movement that can happen during the offseason,” LaVine said. “It’s just teams trying to get better and better, and I think we’re trying to do the same thing as well. “You know, we added some additions, but … we wanted to run it back. I think that’s what (Karnišovas) and Marc wanted to go after and really see what this team was like whole and healthy. So I’m fine with it. I understood how good we were in the first half of the year, but we’ve got put two halves together.”AdvertisementDespite making the playoffs for the first time and earning his second All-Star distinction, LaVine’s 2021-22 season ended on a bitter note as he struggled through a left knee injury, missing games and flying to California for a midseason injection.LaVine said he’s feeling “way better” after undergoing arthroscopic surgery in May, describing the procedure as “run of the mill.” He’s back in the weight room and on the court less than two months after surgery and expects to be full speed for training camp.“I’ve been doing all the good stuff and all the boring stuff,” LaVine said. “You have to start slow like always, but I feel really good.”[ [Don’t miss] John Bryant embraces coaching the Bulls summer league team after his father’s death: ‘He’d be so proud of me’ ]Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.Despite the significance of securing a maximum contract, the biggest news of LaVine’s offseason had nothing to do with basketball. He announced earlier this week that he and his wife, Hunter, are expecting their first child.LaVine flashed an uncharacteristically large smile as he talked about becoming a new parent, citing his relationship with his father as an inspiration as he prepares for his family to expand.“That’s bigger than basketball, bigger than everything,” LaVine said. “I’m nervous, anxious, excited. … I know how to play basketball — but this is something I haven’t done yet.”AdvertisementWhile LaVine is feeling the pressure of his impending new role off the court, he expects to feel the same next season on the court — even with a max contract.When the Bulls return to Chicago for training camp in two months, LaVine said he’ll be excited to get back to business.“There’s no extra added pressure,” he said. “It’s just who I am. (There are) goals and things I want to reach within how much better can we get as a team, but there’s no added pressure. “I think this is just a compliment of a lot of hard work and showing what type of player I am.”
NORTH BERWICK, Scotland — Greg Norman once talked about playing in the British Open next week. Now he doesn’t even get to attend the dinner at St. Andrews for past champions.Norman, who won the Open at Turnberry in 1986 and at Royal St. George’s in 1993, would have been eligible for the four-hole “Celebration of Champions” exhibition that takes place only at St. Andrews, along with the Champions’ Dinner.AdvertisementThe R&A said Saturday it contacted Norman to tell him “we decided not to invite him to attend on this occasion.”“The 150th Open is an extremely important milestone for golf and we want to ensure that the focus remains on celebrating the championship and its heritage,” the R&A said. “Unfortunately, we do not believe that would be the case if Greg were to attend.”AdvertisementNorman has been viewed as a disruptor in golf as CEO of the Saudi-funded LIV Golf series that is paying as much as $150 million to sign former major champions like Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau and staging 54-hole events with a shotgun start that pay $25 million in prize money.The PGA Tour has suspended players who have signed up for the rebel league, and the European tour is fining its players 100,000 pounds ($120,000) for each LIV event they play.Norman described the decision as “petty” to Australian Golf Digest.“I’m disappointed. I would have thought the R&A would have stayed above it all given their position in world golf,” he said. “(It’s) petty, as all I have done is promote and grow the game of golf globally, on and off the golf course, for more than four decades.”Norman already rubbed the R&A the wrong way with an interview earlier this year with Australia-based News Corp. in which he said he was filling out his entry form for the 150th Open and “I think I can still get in.”It led the R&A to issue a statement that said, “We have no plans for any additional exemptions.”Norman is 67 and past Open champions are exempt only until they are 60. His final year of eligibility was in 2015 at St. Andrews. He chose not to play, saying he hadn’t practiced enough and he didn’t feel right about taking a spot in the field from a younger player.The R&A did not deny exemptions for eligible players, following the decision of the USGA for the U.S. Open because of the open nature of their majors. There are 23 players in the field at St. Andrews who played in the last LIV Golf event.AdvertisementIt was not clear if Norman intended to be at St. Andrews. The R&A said it was responding to inquiries in releasing a statement that ended, “We hope that when circumstances allow Greg will be able to attend again in the future.”
Derek King will be sticking around the Chicago Blackhawks after all.The Hawks hired the former interim head coach as an assistant coach — along with and former Boston Bruins assistant coach Kevin Dean — to first-time bench boss Luke Richardson.AdvertisementGoaltending coach Jimmy Waite and video coach Matt Meacham also will return to the Hawks staff.[ [Don’t miss] Meet the newest Chicago Blackhawks: A rundown of their 11 picks in the 2022 NHL draft ]“It’s great to have this experienced staff with me behind the bench,” Richardson said in a statement. “Derek has made an impact here on this organization and I’m thrilled to have someone like him on our staff. Kevin’s mind for the game and defensive focus will be an asset for us. It’s great to have the cornerstone of this coaching group finalized and we will continue to add a few pieces.”AdvertisementKing, 55, was named interim coach on Nov. 6 after the Hawks fired Jeremy Colliton following a franchise-worst 1-9-2 start. King led the Hawks to a 27-33-10 finish.He was a finalist for the permanent job before the Hawks hired Richardson late last month. However, general manager Kyle Davidson said he considered keeping King around in some capacity because of his character and positive effect on the organization.King, a former New York Islanders forward, also was the Rockford IceHogs head coach before taking over the Hawks for Colliton.[ [Don’t miss] 5 things we learned about Luke Richardson, including why you might see the new Chicago Blackhawks coach in purple ]Dean was on staff with the Bruins for playoff runs in five seasons, including reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2019. He’s also a former head coach of the AHL Providence Bruins.The former defenseman was a fifth-round pick by the New Jersey Devils in the 1987 draft, and went play seven NHL seasons, including part of 1999-00 and all of the 2000-01 season.
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones in late March paid $3.21 million for a four-bedroom, 4,129-square-foot condominium on the 12th floor of a recently built tower in River North.Jones, 27, was traded by the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Blackhawks in July 2021. He is in the midst of an eight-year, $76 million contract extension that he signed after the trade.AdvertisementIn River North, the condo that Jones bought is one of only two units on its floor, and it’s in a building that was constructed in 2015. It has 3-1/2 bathrooms, 10-foot ceilings, stone flooring in all the common areas, Lutron lighting, powered recessed blinds, a family room with a gas ventless fireplace, and views to the north, south and east. Other features include an office with floor-to-ceiling wood bookshelves, a 46-foot-wide deck spanning the east end of the unit, a separate private patio off the primary bedroom, and a kitchen with two twin islands, wall cabinets by DeMode and top-of-the-line appliances from Miele, including a built-in coffee maker and a double oven.Carrie McCormick of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate represented Jones but declined to comment on her client or even confirm his identity. However, she told Elite Street that the unit “has the most incredible views of our city and is a very exclusive, high-end building that offers both privacy and exclusivity for Chicago.”Advertisement“A lot of people like this building because it’s exclusive. It’s a boutique building in a great location and it offers very high-end amenities and finishes,” she said. “And it offers the best views in the city.”The sellers first listed the condo in January for $3.3 million.The condo had a $68,712 property tax bill in the 2020 tax year.Goldsborough is a freelance writer.Join our Chicago Dream Homes Facebook group for more luxury listings and real estate news.
Women’s basketball legends Sheryl Swoopes and Dawn Staley sat courtside Sunday as the WNBA All-Stars took the floor at Wintrust Arena in front of a loud, energetic crowd.Retiring veterans Sue Bird and Sylvia Fowles received flowers after the first quarter. Chicago-area native Candace Parker and her Sky teammate Courtney Vandersloot received the loudest welcomes from the home crowd.AdvertisementBut despite the celebratory atmosphere among the 9,572 fans inside the arena, some missteps overshadowed the league’s first All-Star weekend held in Chicago.The Seattle Storm’s Sue Bird waves to the crowd after receiving a bouquet of flowers because she is playing in her last WNBA All-Star Game on July 10, 2022, at Wintrust Arena. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)There was no shortage of demand to see Sunday’s game. According to ticket reseller Vivid Seats, the average ticket price on the secondary market was $164, the highest for a WNBA All-Star Game in the last five years — and 64% more than the second-highest.AdvertisementBut unlike past years, fans were not invited to attend Saturday’s 3-point and skills competitions. Instead of holding the events at Wintrust Arena, which was committed to host the Nike Nationals high school girls basketball tournament, the league staged them inside McCormick Place with temporary courts and bleachers.[ [Don’t miss] Chicago played host to WNBA All-Stars this weekend. Here’s what we saw — and heard — around the city. ]As the Sky’s Allie Quigley made history by winning her fourth 3-point competition, Sky fans were relegated to watching it on TV. The team invited “select premium” season ticket holders to a viewing party at a hospitality area inside McCormick Place. Other fans were expected to hang out at WNBA Live — an outdoor fan festival set up in the McCormick Place parking lot — while the events took place in the otherwise empty convention center.The fans in attendance during Saturday’s competition were youth basketball players competing in the Nike Nationals, many of whom seemed less than interested in what was taking place on the court.P.S. kudos to @chicagosky for hosting premium season ticket holders during the skills and 3-point challenges, but they obviously did not have room to accommodate everyone.Fans shouldn’t have to meet a certain threshold of ticket payment to be “included.”— Eric (@nemchocke) July 10, 2022
After two seasons affected by the COVID-19 pandemic — there was no All-Star Game in 2020 and attendance was limited last year — WNBA fans were excited to return to All-Star weekend festivities, with many booking flights from around the country once Chicago was announced as the host in late April.But they seemed to be the only ones planning ahead. Other parts of the planning — including schedules and locations not being released until the night before events — also dampened the festivities.“When we picked Chicago as a place for the All-Star Game, we knew we weren’t going to be able to have Wintrust Arena (on Saturday). It was already committed,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said when asked before Sunday’s game about fan frustrations surrounding Saturday’s events. “So given that, when we found that Nike Nationals was going to be here, we took this great opportunity to integrate the elite youth sports into our 3-point and skills competitions, so the competition was not outside.[ [Don’t miss] Sylvia Fowles steals the show in her final WNBA All-Star Game with a rare 3-pointer and dunk in Team Wilson’s rout ]“There’s also a lot going on in our world around security and even having an outdoor festival at this very crazy time as you see shootings and people driving into restaurants with outdoor diners and things like that. So as we were planning this last fall, we were trying to find the best thing to do to try to stand up at least a little bit of an outdoor festival, to have a fan festival element. We still have COVID out there. So you know, cobbling together everything that’s going on and coming off two tough COVID years and not having Wintrust available yesterday, it just wasn’t possible to have a fan event.Melissa Kramer, center, was the first fan in line for the WNBA All-Star Game on July 10, 2022, at Wintrust Arena. She is a huge fan of Sue Bird. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)“We didn’t have an arena that could happen in here in the city of Chicago. I understand the fans are frustrated not attending that, but again, last year we weren’t at 100%, the year before we didn’t have an All-Star Game, so we’re kind of just trying to build what All-Star weekend will look like. We’re just trying to do the best we could with the cards we were dealt this year.”AdvertisementFans weren’t the only ones who felt left out of the festivities. All of the 3-point and skills participants were either already in Chicago, such as Quigley and Sky teammate Azurá Stevens, or were coming to Chicago to play in Sunday’s game. The Los Angeles Sparks’ Lexie Brown, who’s tied for ninth in the league in 3-pointers made this season, joked on Twitter that she would have paid for her own airfare to take part in the competition.Tbh, i would’ve flown myself to participate 😂😂😂— Lexie Brown (@Lexiebrown) July 7, 2022
The @LASparks @Lexiebrown is 3rd in the @WNBA in 3-point percentage (45.9%) on over 4 attempts per game. She’s Top 10 in the league in total 3-pointers made this season.— LA Sparks PR (@LASparksPR) July 6, 2022
All-star weekends are about the players, but they’re also a celebration for the fans. The games don’t count, but they’re an opportunity for fans to see the league’s biggest stars assembled in one place.With Chicago’s scenic downtown as a backdrop and perfect summer weather on display, the WNBA managed to stifle what should’ve been a triumphant return for fans and missed an opportunity to win over more local residents.ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 38Chicago Sky players Courtney Vandersloot, left, and Allie Quigley walk the orange carpet Friday during WNBA All-Star weekend in Chicago. (Quinn Harris / Getty Images)
The Chicago White Sox begin a make-or-break trip to Cleveland and Minnesota on Monday, facing the teams ahead of them in the American League Central in the final week before the All-Star break.The Sox could play themselves out of contention with a poor trip, or they could make a statement they’re still the team to beat in the second half by dominating the Guardians and Twins.AdvertisementBut the way the season has gone, chances are they’ll be close to where they were Sunday, looking up at the Twins and repeating their mantra: “It’s still early.”Whatever your perception of the Sox, know that manager Tony La Russa believes the media hype about the importance of the eight-game trip is merited, even though he’s sticking to the mantra.Advertisement“We need to play competitively and come out with competitive results,” La Russa said Sunday morning in the Sox dugout. “The one thing you have to temper the hype with is when it’s over, you’re still in July. But it’s an important road trip. It’s an important game today.”[ [Don’t miss] Tim Anderson is ‘very thankful’ to be the 1st White Sox shortstop to start the All-Star Game since 1970 ]The Sox came back Sunday to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-2 and split the four-game series, ending the homestand against the Twins and Tigers with a 3-4 record.The Tigers gift-wrapped this one in the eighth inning with a dropped two-out pop fly, which the Sox gladly accepted.“If a team gives you an extra out, good teams take advantage of it,” AJ Pollock said. “And we were fortunate enough today to be able to take advantage of it. … We’ve seen some teams take advantage of us when we didn’t make plays, and it’s nice to be that team (on the other end).”The score was tied at 2 in the eighth when left fielder Robbie Grossman botched a fly off the bat of Luis Robert to keep the inning alive. After an intentional walk to José Abreu, Pollock singled off Gregory Soto to give the Sox their first lead. Eloy Jiménez followed with another run-scoring single, and closer Liam Hendriks shut down the Tigers in the ninth for his 17th save.Leury García (28), AJ Pollock (18) and Adam Engel (15) celebrate the White Sox’s 4-2 win over the Tigers on Sunday, July 10, 2022, at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Mark Black/AP)The Sox improved to 41-43 and trail the division-leading Twins by five games as they hit the road for the last time before the All-Star break.It’s easy to look at the last two games against the Tigers as “big” wins, but every time the Sox think they’ve taken a season-turning step forward, they come out flat the next night. Hendriks said it’s important to “regain the authority figure we had last year,” referring to the team’s confidence level in 2021.“Just gain that (attitude of) ‘We are better than everybody else and we can do this,’” he said. “We need to get that mindset back. That’s something we’ve had spurts of, but it really hasn’t caught fire yet. I’m hoping games like (Saturday) and today in a row will help spark that fire a little bit.”AdvertisementTheories for the first-half malaise are widespread, but the most common seems to be that the Sox have played too “relaxed.” TV studio analyst Frank Thomas repeated that criticism after Thursday’s loss to the Tigers and called for some “snappage” in the dugout, suggesting players get in each other’s faces as they did back when he played.[ [Don’t miss] Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong and White Sox’s Oscar Colás are named to the All-Star Futures Game ]Game analyst Steve Stone was just as blunt during Friday night’s telecast: “You cannot sleepwalk your way through the rest of the season.”Whether the Sox players heard the critiques — or cared — is unknown. Maybe they simply shrug off the observations of the team’s TV analysts, believing everything is fine and the winning eventually will start happening because of the talent in the clubhouse.But Thomas and Stone are two of the most knowledgeable and outspoken analysts around, and unlike many team-approved announcers who sugarcoat their team’s shortcomings, they’re not afraid to point out the Sox’s problems.Michael Kopech is one of the most promising young pitchers the Sox have had in years, but he needed to step up Sunday after four straight losses and a 6.86 ERA in that span. Instead Kopech walked the first batter on four pitches, then served up a two-run home run to Javier Báez that put the Sox in a quick hole.White Sox starter Michael Kopech pitches against the Tigers during the first inning Sunday, July 10, 2022, at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Mark Black/AP)Kopech recovered and pitched into the sixth without allowing any more runs. But he needs to pitch deeper into games if he wants to be considered an elite starter. AdvertisementWhen he didn’t cover first base on a grounder to the bag in the second, La Russa and the trainers came out to the mound to see what was wrong. Sox fans held their breath. Back on June 12, Kopech left a start against the Texas Rangers after only 13 pitches with knee discomfort.But apparently the only thing wrong with Kopech on Sunday was he didn’t properly field his position.“I just got over a little slow,” he said. “How the first inning went, maybe there was some concern there were some underlying issues going on. I felt as good as I have been. I just didn’t have my best stuff.”Little things like that have made this an aggravating season for Sox fans. The Sox need to be cognizant of the perception they don’t run the bases well, play poor defense and make mental mistakes on a daily basis, such as when Robert let a fly ball fall next to him during Friday’s loss.“Not a good look,” Stone said.“Nope,” play-by-play man Jason Benetti responded.AdvertisementThere was silence in the booth for several seconds. Sometimes the silence says it all during a Sox telecast.A couple of wins over the Tigers was a nice way to end a mediocre homestand. But it will take a much longer streak of well-played games to convince everyone the Sox are back to where we all thought they would be.They no longer can rely on their reputations, whether it’s La Russa, Kopech, Robert or anyone else in the clubhouse.It’s time to prove themselves — all over again.
LOS ANGELES — An emotional Ian Happ dropped his head into his hands as he digested the news Sunday morning in the visitors clubhouse at Dodger Stadium.Chicago Cubs manager David Ross called a pregame meeting to go over the team schedule and plans for the upcoming All-Star break. But then Ross had one additional detail to share, waiting until the end to reveal the news: Happ made his first All-Star team as a National League reserve.AdvertisementHapp will join teammate Willson Contreras, the NL’s starting catcher, for the All-Star Game on July 19 in Los Angeles.Ross recalled Happ telling him Thursday before Contreras’ All-Star honor was announced that if he happened to make the team, not to tell him in front of everyone because he would cry like a baby. Of course, the clubhouse setting provided the perfect backdrop for the big news. It set off clapping and cheers from his teammates, who enveloped Happ in hugs.Advertisement[ [Don’t miss] After All-Star Game honor, Willson Contreras makes it clear: ‘I would love nothing more than play for the Chicago Cubs the rest of my life’ ]“It was a great scene, great for our guys, something to really celebrate and I think everybody was genuinely really, really happy for Ian,” Ross said. “Happer has been as consistent of a player as I’ve ever seen him be, and the fact he gets rewarded by being an All-Star, he’s deserving of that. He’s upped his game, not just offensive numbers but his defense and baserunning, his all-around game has been stellar and I’m so happy for him.”The All-Star honor is a remarkable achievement for Happ, who turned around a big-league career trending in the wrong direction.On this date last year, Happ was hitting .183 with a .296 on-base percentage, .626 slugging percentage, 29% strikeout rate and 73 weighted runs created plus (wRC+) through 76 games. The slump raised significant concerns about whether Happ, a free agent after the 2023 season, fit into the Cubs’ future plans. But instead of an awful first half completely derailing the 27-year-old switch hitter, he turned around his 2021 season in the final two months and carried that success into 2022.Happ has overcome adversity during his six-year career, including getting sent to Triple A to start the 2019 season. Among NL outfielders, Happ entered Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers ranked third in OBP (.372), fourth in batting average (.277), fifth in weighted on-base average (.357), fifth in WAR (2.2), sixth in RBIs (40) and seventh in wRC+(129). In his first at-bat Sunday after making the team, he doubled as part of a five-run first inning against Dodgers starter Julio Urías.“It’s spectacular, man,” Ross said. “I’m so proud of him. The mental toughness that you have to have to come out of that is really good. When you see guys set their path to greatness, it’s after stuff like that. Being able to come out and be where he’s at right now, I’m super happy for him.”Patrick Wisdom’s locker in the Dodger Stadium clubhouse is situated directly next to Happ’s, and Wisdom could feel the emotions coming from Happ after the announcement. Watching Happ endure last year’s struggles and come through it while playing at an elite level has rubbed off on Wisdom.“He’s having an All-Star-caliber year and he’s more than deserving to be on that team, so it wasn’t a surprise to me because I knew that he should be there,” Wisdom told the Tribune. “He’s a pro through and through, and either hitting behind him or in front of him, just watching how he handles the successes and the failures, I’ve added that to my game and am learning from him constantly whether he knew that or not.”
Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum led a team assembled by teammate A’Ja Wilson to a lopsided 134-112 victory in the WNBA All-Star Game on Sunday at Wintrust Arena.A first-time All-Star, Plum earned the MVP award by scoring 30 points to match the All-Star scoring record set by Maya Moore in 2015.AdvertisementBut it was Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles — also playing for Team Wilson — who stole the show in the final All-Star Game of her career. The 36-year-old Fowles, who announced in February this would be her final season, opened the game by sinking a rare 3-pointer and receiving a big cheer from the crowd as a former Chicago Sky first-round draft pick.“I appreciate the love that I’m getting, which is kind of weird because I always shy away from it,” said Fowles, who finished with seven points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals in 20 minutes. “But it’s been comforting knowing that people do appreciate the things I’ve done throughout my last 15 years in this league.”Advertisement[ [Don’t miss] Chicago played host to WNBA All-Stars this weekend. Here’s what we saw — and heard — around the city. ]Witnessing Fowles pull up behind the 3-point line is a rare sight for even the most passionate WNBA fan — she has taken only one shot from long range in her entire career, making it in 2010 for the Sky against the now-defunct San Antonio Stars.Fowles showed off again in the second quarter when she picked off a pass, jogged down the court and hammered a right-handed dunk. Despite her 6-foot-6 frame, the dunk was a similarly rare sight — Fowles hadn’t attempted a slam since 2008.Fowles said this All-Star weekend in Chicago was one of her favorites among her eight All-Star nods. She added that she led both teams in urging Sky star Candace Parker to dunk in the game, but Parker, 36, said she’s “too old” and stayed grounded for the game.“She dunked for both of us,” Parker said.Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird, who also has announced this is her last season, played only 15 minutes for Team Stewart and didn’t score in her final All-Star Game. She and Fowles earned standing ovations when they exited the court for the last time.[ [Don’t miss] WNBA players balance activist roles as political turmoil hangs over All-Star weekend ]“It’s actually a nice feeling. Maybe a little bit of closure, right?” Bird said. “As an athlete, when you come to the end of your career, so much goes into the decision to actually retire. So the way people have reacted and these little moments I get both in Seattle and on the road — I know it’s the right timing for me, but it gives it a (feeling) like, ‘OK, this is going to be all right.’ Everyone’s getting their moment that we can share.”Connecticut Sun center Jonquel Jones also made a run at the All-Star scoring record, finishing with 29 points for Team Stewart after missing her final attempt from 3-point range.AdvertisementExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 38Chicago Sky players Courtney Vandersloot, left, and Allie Quigley walk the orange carpet Friday during WNBA All-Star weekend in Chicago. (Quinn Harris / Getty Images)Parker mugged for the camera and playfully teased the referees throughout the game as she scored 15 points in 23 minutes for Team Wilson. She hounded Sky teammate Kahleah Copper whenever they were paired against one another, with Copper scoring eight points in 17 minutes for Team Stewart.“We’re definitely going have to win a championship so we can forget about this part of the season,” Copper joked after the game. “It’s funny because we had the moments where we’re going at it and then we came to each other and Candace was like, ‘I don’t like being across from you.’ So let’s just let it be over and then let’s get back on the same side.”Sky captain Courtney Vandersloot had eight points, eight assists and six rebounds in 17 minutes for Team Wilson, keeping her style of play consistent from the regular season to the exhibition. The Sky’s Emma Meesseman added eight points and four rebounds in 14 minutes for Team Stewart.Sky coach James Wade helmed Team Stewart, which was assembled by the Storm’s Breanna Stewart.[ [Don’t miss] Rev. Al Sharpton stirs effort for Brittney Griner’s return amid WNBA All-Star festivities: ‘Bring Brittney home’ ]Players continued to use All-Star weekend as a platform to bring attention to the detainment of WNBA star Brittney Griner in Russia.The Phoenix Mercury star was named an honorary All-Star starter, and both teams wore jerseys bearing Griner’s name and number throughout the second half.Advertisement“It’s hard for all of us. Not a day goes by that I’m not thinking about Brittney Griner,” Wilson said. “Wearing her jersey and letting the world know that we’re not whole without her, that’s a statement in itself. We’re playing on ABC and ESPN, showing that it’s real and understanding that we’re not going to stop until everyone understands how serious this really is.“At the end of the day, we’re always playing for BG. We’re just praying that she gets home safe.”
Melissa Kramer (backward cap) was the first fan in line this morning for the WNBA All-Star Game at Wintrust Arena on July 10, 2022.. She is a huge fan of Sue Bird, ” She’s extremely down to earth and we need more genuine people like Sue. Because of her, I found my own voice and place in the world.” (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)