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Cubs center fielder Christopher Morel, center, celebrates with first baseman Frank Schwindel (18) after designated hitter Willson Contreras, right, hit a two-run homer during the first inning on June 2, 2022, at Wrigley Field. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

José Abreu led off the seventh inning with a single Thursday, extending his hitting streak to 11 games.More importantly for the Chicago White Sox, the hit snapped a stretch of 16 straight batters retired by Toronto Blue Jays starter Alex Manoah.AdvertisementThe right-hander was on cruise control for most of the afternoon at Rogers Centre. The Sox rallied with three runs in the eighth, only to give up four in the bottom of the inning in an 8-3 loss.That completed a three-game sweep for the Blue Jays, who won their eighth straight game. The Sox, meanwhile, have lost six of eight to drop to 23-26 — and into third place in the American League Central.AdvertisementStarter Johnny Cueto kept the Sox in the game, allowing three earned runs in six innings. He left with a 4-0 deficit.The three-run eighth was a good sign, with Luis Robert hitting a two-run double against Manoah and Yoán Moncada picking up an RBI single against reliever Adam Cimber.The momentum was short-lived, however, as the Blue Jays answered with the big bottom of the eighth.Here are three takeaways from the sweep.It appeared the Sox were going to tie Tuesday’s series opener when Yasmani Grandal hit a fly ball to deep left with one out and runners on first and third in the sixth inning.Reese McGuire tagged up from third and headed home. But before he scored, Danny Mendick was tagged out trying to advance from first to second after a tremendous throw by left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Because the out was recorded before McGuire touched home, the run didn’t count.Sox manager Tony La Russa told reporters in Toronto after the 6-5 loss that Mendick apologized for the play.“I said, ‘First of all, tagging up on that play is a good play, but you’ve got a throw right in front of you,’” La Russa said, according to The Associated Press. “If the throw goes there, you’ve just got to stop. He stops, the run scores.”AdvertisementThose missed chances are magnified when the lineup is without someone as productive as Tim Anderson, who was placed on the injured list retroactive to Monday with a strained right groin.While Tuesday’s baserunning was the most obvious example, it wasn’t the only case of the Sox not taking advantage of an opportunity.Still trailing 6-5, Andrew Vaughn and Abreu singled to begin Tuesday’s ninth inning. Jake Burger grounded to third, and Matt Chapman stepped on the bag and threw to second for a double play. Gavin Sheets struck out to end the game.[ [Don’t miss] What’s the White Sox’s preferred lineup? ‘This is the best sport for first- or second-guessing.’ ]Abreu hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning of Wednesday’s game, bringing the Sox within two runs.Still down by two in the seventh, Abreu batted with the bases loaded and two outs. He grounded to short and the Blue Jays got the force at second. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. created some distance with a two-out, two-run homer in the eighth, helping the Blue Jays to a 7-3 victory.The Sox entered Thursday just 3-for-32 (.094) with the bases loaded this season. They loaded the bases in the first inning, but Manoah struck out Grandal to end the inning.AdvertisementThe Sox were outscored 21-11 in the series and have a minus-55 run differential this season.The Sox had a one-run lead in the fifth inning Tuesday, but the Blue Jays were threatening with runners on second and third, one out and Guerrero up. Sox starter Lucas Giolito fell behind in the count 2-0 but rallied for a strikeout.The Blue Jays followed with clutch two-out hits. Teoscar Hernández hit a sinking liner just out of the reach of diving center fielder Adam Engel for a two-run double. Alejandro Kirk followed with a two-run homer.The Blue Jays had four two-out RBIs Tuesday and six two-out RBIs Wednesday.Michael Kopech surrendered a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the second inning Wednesday. And in the third, he walked Chapman, giving the Blue Jays two on with two outs. Danny Jansen followed with a three-run homer.Giolito and Kopech allowed season highs in runs with six and five, respectively. Tuesday was the first time Giolito allowed more than three runs in a start this season.Advertisement[ [Don’t miss] What will the White Sox miss with Tim Anderson on the IL? 4 numbers that highlight the All-Star shortstop’s impact. ]“I just let it snowball,” Giolito said, according to The Associated Press. “I put up a big crooked number. It’s just very frustrating.”Giolito is scheduled to start Sunday’s series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays. Vince Velasquez and Dylan Cease are the projected Sox starters Friday and Saturday.A difficult stretch got off to a rough start for the Sox (23-26), who fell to third in the AL Central with Thursday’s loss. They are a half-game behind the second-place Cleveland Guardians (22-24).The Sox are fortunate the first-place Minnesota Twins stumbled in Detroit, dropping four of five games. The Sox trail the Twins (30-23) by five games.The Sox have lost five of six. And it doesn’t get easier with three games this weekend at Tropicana Field against the Rays before returning home to start a three-game series Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Whether it’s the Sultan of Swat, the Splendid Splitter or The Big Unit, baseball has a storied history of nicknames for its stars.Minnesota Twins color commentator Jim Kaat tried to add a new chapter to that history on Thursday and failed miserably.AdvertisementWhile describing Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes’ incredible start to the season during Thursdays Twins-Tigers broadcast, Kaat dubbed him “Nestor the Molester.”“‘Nestor the Molester,’ Nestor Cortes,” Kaat said. “Angles and different speeds. He’s a pitcher.”AdvertisementKaat, an 83-year-old man who played for the Washington Senators, has been making rather curious remarks on air as of late. In 2021, he apologized after saying should try to “get a 40-acre field full of” players who look like White Sox infielder Yoan Moncada, who is Cuban, during Game 2 of the ALDS between the Sox and Astros.After the U.S. Civil War, the government pledged to give freed slaves 40 acres and a mule, but the pledge was not kept. Cuba also has an ugly history of slavery-backed plantation farming.“While they have a little break here,” Kaat said later in that broadcast. “In fact I need to read this right now. Because, earlier in the game when Yoan Moncada was at the plate, in an attempt to compliment the great player that he is I used a poor choice of words that resulted in an insensitive and hurtful remark. And I’m sorry for that.”Cortes is having a star-making season for the Bombers. He’s 5-1 with a 1.50 ERA and 0.87 WHIP with 68 strikeouts in 60 innings. He’s allowed three runs or fewer in his last 19 starts. He’d previously been dubbed “Nasty Nestor” by Yankees fans.

Roger Valdiserri, who helped tell the story of some of Notre Dame’s greatest football teams as the school’s sports information director for three decades, died Thursday. He was 95.Valdiserri’s family said in a statement that he died of natural causes at a retirement community outside Chicago. The family said he was surrounded by his five children at the time of his death.AdvertisementValdiserri was a native of Pennsylvania who graduated from Notre Dame in 1954. His first job at the school was administrative assistant to football coaches Frank Leahy and Terry Brennan.He took over as sports information director in 1966 under coach Ara Parseghian. Notre Dame won the first of four national championships in football during Valdiserri’s tenure that season.AdvertisementValdiserri helped craft the role of the SID in major college football, famously changing the pronunciation of Notre Dame quarterback Joe Theisman when he joined the team in 1967 so it rhymed with Heisman.Valdiserri rose to the title of associate athletic director before retiring in 1995.Last year Notre Dame honored him at its game against Purdue with the dedication of a permanent seat in the press box at Notre Dame Stadium.The Roger Valdiserri Scholarship Award was established to be given annually to a student assistant working in the Irish sports information department.Valdiserri is survived by five children, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Tiare Jennings and Jana Johns hit grand slams, and No. 1 seed Oklahoma rolled past No. 9 seed Northwestern 13-2 in five innings Thursday on the opening day of the Women’s College World Series.The defending national champion Sooners pounded out 11 hits. Northwestern’s Danielle Williams (31-5) — a first-team NFCA All-America pitcher — lasted just three innings and took the loss.AdvertisementOklahoma (55-2) advanced to play rival Texas on Saturday in the schools’ first World Series meeting. Texas is responsible for one of Oklahoma’s losses this season, though the Sooners won two of three meetings.Northwestern (45-12) will play UCLA in an elimination game Friday.AdvertisementNorthwestern’s Rachel Lewis opened the scoring with a solo blast over the left-field fence in the third inning. It was her 23rd homer of the season.That was the only hit Oklahoma starter Hope Trautwein (19-1) allowed. She struck out seven and walked five in 4⅔ innings to claim the win.Oklahoma took over in the bottom of the third. The Sooners tied it on an RBI single by Johns that scored Rylie Boone. Williams walked Jocelyn Alo — the two-time USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year — to bring up Jennings with the bases loaded.Jennings, also a first-team All-American, put Williams’ first pitch over the fence in center to give the Sooners a 5-1 lead and control for good. It was Jennings’ 25th home run of the season.Johns’ grand slam in the fourth put the Sooners up 13-1.At OGE Energy Field, Oklahoma CityDouble elimination; x-if necessaryChicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.ThursdayAdvertisementGame 1: Texas 7, UCLA 2Game 2: Oklahoma 13, Northwestern 2Game 3: Florida vs. Oregon State, 6 p.m., ESPNGame 4: Oklahoma State vs. Arizona, 8:30 p.m., ESPNFridayGame 5: UCLA vs. Northwestern, 6 p.m., ESPN2Game 6: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 8:30 p.m., ESPN2SaturdayGame 7: Texas vs. Oklahoma, 2 p.m., ABC-7Game 8: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6 p.m., ESPNSundayGame 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 8 loser, 2 p.m., ABC-7Game 10: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 loser, 6 p.m., ESPN2MondayGame 11: Game 7 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 11 a.m., ESPNx-Game 12: Game 7 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 1:30 p.m., ESPNGame 13: Game 8 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 6 p.m., ESPNx-Game 14: Game 8 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 8:30 p.m., ESPNChampionship seriesBest-of-three, June 8-10

The latest member of the billionaire club is a slam dunk.LeBron James, the prolific four-time NBA champion whose business ventures include a multi-purpose entertainment company, is officially a billionaire, Forbes reported Thursday.AdvertisementJames boasts pretax earnings of $1.2 billion, according to Forbes, making him the first active NBA player to reach the billionaire threshold.The financial outlet says James’ stake in his SpringHill Company — which has produced films such as “Space Jam: A New Legacy” and the upcoming “House Party” — is worth $300 million, and values his multiple pieces of real estate at $80 million.AdvertisementLeBron James in March 21, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)The Los Angeles Lakers star, who has signed NBA contracts worth nearly $400 over the course of his 19-season playing career, is also said to have $500 million in cash and other investments, while his stake in the Fenway Sports Group is valued at $90 million.In 2014, James told GQ that the prospect of becoming a billionaire was his “biggest milestone.” “I want to maximize my business,” James said at the time.James, 37, has recorded the second-most points in NBA history with 37,062, and the seventh-most assists with 10,045. He won two NBA titles with the Miami Heat, one with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and one with the Lakers.James also starred in “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” which came out last year.

PARIS — Coco Gauff sat plain-faced in her French Open changeover chair after moving one set away from her first Grand Slam final at 18 — just 18! — and calmly snacked on some cut-up pieces of pineapple and other fruit, seemingly without a care in the world.Her opponent in Thursday’s semifinals at Roland Garros, Martina Trevisan, was taking a medical timeout so her right thigh could be treated and taped by a trainer. It was the sort of delay that might rattle some players, might make them slow down, relinquish momentum, think too much about what’s at stake.AdvertisementNot Gauff. Not on this sunny, breezy afternoon at Court Philippe Chatrier. When the American arrived in Paris, she celebrated her recent high school graduation by posing for cap-and-gown photos near the Eiffel Tower while holding her diploma. After wrapping up a 6-3, 6-1 victory over the 59th-ranked Trevisan, Gauff will be back in that stadium on Saturday to face No. 1 Iga Swiatek for the championship.Swiatek, who won the 2020 French Open, is on a 34-match winning streak after eliminating No. 20 Daria Kasatkina 6-2, 6-1 on Thursday.Advertisement“I’m in a mindset now like: ‘It doesn’t matter.’ I mean, I’m going to be happy, regardless. My parents are going to love me, regardless. So I’m just going to go into it like another match,” the 18th-seeded Gauff said. “I mean, yeah, it’s a Grand Slam final, but there are so many things going on in the world right now, and especially in the U.S. a lot of stuff is happening right now, so I think it’s not important to stress over a tennis match.”And then, in a message referring to the recent series of mass shootings in her home country, Gauff wrote in marker on a courtside TV camera: “Peace. End gun violence.”A willingness to speak out about issues of significance, and a wide-lens view of the world, reflect the sort of maturity that has served her well, especially with so much attention from such a young age. She won the French Open junior title at 14. She became the youngest qualifier in Wimbledon history and then beat Venus Williams on the way to the fourth round there at 15.Gauff, who turned 18 in March, is the youngest finalist at the clay-court major tournament since 2001, when Kim Clijsters was the runner-up a day after her 18th birthday.“I’m a little bit in shock right now,” Gauff said with a chuckle after using her still-improving forehand to open up the court and her long-terrific backhand to seal points against Trevisan. “I didn’t know how to react at the end of the match. I have no words to describe how I feel.”Coco Gauff celebrates winning her semifinal match against Martina Trevisan in two sets at the French Open on June 2, 2022. (Michel Euler/AP)Gauff has won all 12 sets she has played over the past two weeks. She did not need to navigate the most arduous path to get this far: Because of all manner of surprising results and early exits by top players from the bracket, she has faced only one seeded foe so far, No. 31 Elise Mertens.Now, in Swiatek, comes someone who will present a much tougher test and will require a higher level of quality.The men’s semifinals are Friday, with 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal playing No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev, and 2014 U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic facing No. 8 Casper Ruud.AdvertisementSwiatek has won her past five tournaments, last losing in February, against 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.The only Polish player to win a major singles title in tennis is now on a winning streak that equals one Serena Williams had in 2013. The only longer run this century was a 35-match unbeaten stretch by Venus Williams in 2000.With only faint wisps of clouds overhead and the temperature hovering around 75 degrees Fahrenheit (about 25 Celsius), the two women’s semifinals followed a similar pattern.Swiatek and Kasatkina were even at 2-all. But Swiatek claimed 10 of the last 11 games.Gauff and Trevisan were even at 3-all. But Gauff claimed nine of the last 10 games.Gauff won six of Trevisan’s service games, raising her tournament total to 35 breaks in six matches.AdvertisementTrevisan is a 28-year-old left-hander who entered the day on a 10-match winning streak, including her first career WTA title at Rabat, Morocco, a week before play began at Roland Garros. She also defeated Gauff the only previous time they played — in the second round in Paris two years ago.But Gauff is nothing if not a learner and a striver, someone who looks better and better with a racket in her hand each time she takes the court.A big part of that, perhaps bigger than her speedy serves that reached 115 mph (185 kph) on Thursday, is her preternatural cool, an old soul’s ability to see an obstacle and not be daunted.Early on, a Trevisan shot landed near a baseline and was ruled in to make it 30-all. Gauff asked chair umpire Marijana Veljovic to come get a closer look, and the pair engaged in an extended discussion, both pointing at the landing spot. Gauff crouched down to inspect as some spectators whistled and jeered, as they often do here when players argue a ruling.A smattering of boos then cascaded on Gauff when she walked to the net to check a mark after one of her backhands landed wide during a game in which Trevisan would break back to make it 3-all.Unbothered, Gauff broke right back to lead 4-3, smacking a backhand winner that brought Mom and Dad out of their seats in the player guest box. The match would continue for about 50 more minutes, but the outcome would never again be in any real doubt.Advertisement“Honestly I wasn’t nervous going in today. I haven’t been nervous at all, which is a surprise,” Gauff said. “The only time I get a little nervous is maybe in the morning. I go for a walk in the morning so that kind of clears my head and after that, I feel great.”

Brittney Griner can’t play with her WNBA colleagues. She can’t call them, either.But she can write.AdvertisementIn one small bit of normalcy, Griner has been able to receive emails and letters from WNBA players during her detainment in Russia. Hundreds of emails have been sent by players to an account Griner’s agent set up to allow them to communicate with her.It’s not easy: The emails are printed out and delivered sporadically in bunches to Griner by her lawyer after they are vetted by Russian officials. Griner doesn’t have access to the email account; she’ll either write a response on paper and her lawyers will take a photo of it or she’ll dictate a response if she doesn’t have any paper.AdvertisementLos Angeles Sparks forward Amanda Zahui B. never thought she’d hear back from Griner when she sent an email to the Phoenix Mercury center a few months ago.“When she responded to my second letter it blew me away,” Zahui B. said. “I was like she responded!! In my third letter, I was like ‘hey best friend, we are officially best friends now.’”Brittney Griner has been able to receive emails and letters from WNBA players to an account Griner’s agent set up to allow them to communicate with her. (Elaine Thompson/AP)Like so many WNBA players, Zahui B. wanted Griner to know she was thinking about her as the two-time Olympic gold medalist remains, in the view of U.S. officials, wrongfully detained in Russia.Griner has been detained for 105 days after vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis were allegedly found in her luggage at an airport near Moscow.When Zahui B. got her first response from Griner it made her smile and she promised herself she would send more notes. And she has, sending them every few weeks. So have many other players.“We just don’t want her to think she’s forgotten,” Liberty center Stefanie Dolson said.It’s not just emails being sent to Griner; Diana Taurasi actually sent a hand-written letter to her Mercury and Olympic teammate.Griner’s agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas said the letters have been a way for the 6-foot-9 center to stay connected to her WNBA family.AdvertisementSome players just offer hopes and prayers for Griner’s release and say they are thinking about her. Others send Sudoku puzzles or more personal notes.“She jokes in her letters. I don’t know how she does it with what she’s going through. She’s an amazing soul,” Zahui B. said. “She brings light in a situation like this. I don’t think a lot of people could manage to do that.”Zahui B., who jokingly admitted she tends to ramble, sent Griner updates on her daily activities describing such mundane things as getting her nails done or what she ate for lunch.She wasn’t extremely close with Griner when they both played in the WNBA and in Europe, but got to know her better over time. Griner sent a video to Zahui B,’s mom offering support when she was battling breast cancer and another one for her 60th birthday a few years ago.Griner, who last responded to the Sparks player last week, signed it “From 42 to 42″ when Zahui B. told her she was switching her number to 42 in honor of the center.While writing letters has come naturally to Zahui B., other players says it is tough to find the words to put pen to paper.AdvertisementGriner faces drug smuggling charges that carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Another American regarded as unjustly detained in Russia is Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan. Whelan was arrested in December 2018 while visiting for a friend’s wedding and was later sentenced to 16 years in prison on espionage-related charges his family has said are unfounded.Marine veteran Trevor Reed, who also had been jailed in Russia for nearly three years, was released in late April as part of an unexpected prisoner exchange involving a convicted Russian drug trafficker serving a long prison sentence in America.Last month, the Biden administration said Griner, 31, is being wrongfully detained. In May, her detention was extended another month until at least the middle of June.“It’s hard. It’s like so sensitive and you don’t want to say the wrong thing,” said Mystics forward Elizabeth Williams. “It’s also a sad situation and you don’t want to remind her it’s a sad situation. I think at the end of the day she’s happy to hear anything from anybody.”Williams said the union has sent out texts every couple of weeks to remind WNBA players they can reach out to Griner through the email account. For now, the account isn’t open to the public in an effort to keep it manageable.New York Liberty’s Sandy Brondello, who coached Griner in Phoenix for nine seasons, just found out about the chance to email her former player a few days ago.Advertisement“I’m going to tell her that I love her and that I’m thinking about her,” said an emotional Brondello. “That’s my girl, it’s terrible. She’s been there too long.”

For much of the spring, the internal praise for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields has been flowing through Halas Hall. Just last week, for example, tight end Cole Kmet said he has been witnessing a noticeable step forward from Fields as the team continues attacking its offseason program. Kmet has seen the way the Bears’ new offense puts Fields on the move more frequently and has heard the certitude in the way Fields has called plays.AdvertisementThere’s just something that seems to be emerging.“Man, he’s confident,” Kmet said.AdvertisementNew offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has been thrilled with the way Fields has been digesting the new playbook, quickly absorbing new concepts, understanding the system’s overall philosophies and applying what he’s learning inside the building out on the practice field.“I’ve been super impressed with him,” Getsy said. “I really have. There’s no one in this building who works harder than him. There’s no one who cares more than him.“We’re off to a great start. He’s really accepted this challenge.”[ [Don’t miss] Can Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet take a step forward in Luke Getsy’s offense? ‘It’s go time.’ ]Meanwhile, center Lucas Patrick, who knows a thing or two about standout quarterback play after six seasons with the Green Bay Packers, said he came to Chicago with high expectations for Fields. After all, the kid was selected 11th overall just a little more than 13 months ago. Patrick has seen no reason to lower the bar.“You don’t get drafted as high as he does in the National Football League just by kind of having a wet noodle (for an arm) or slow feet,” Patrick said. “He’s really talented. I thought he was going to be really good. And he is exceeding my expectations.”Patrick, too, is bullish on the young quarterback and has been impressed with Fields’ fastball. “It’s like it keeps getting faster in the air,” he said.AdvertisementExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 57Quarterback Justin Fields practices, May 24, 2022, during OTAs at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)And new coach Matt Eberflus? Well, he has been satisfied with the bond Fields is forming with Getsy and with the time Fields is investing to take his game up a notch. Eberflus is also sensing the stress Fields can put on opposing defenses with both his legs and his arm.After nine practices through April and May, Eberflus can also say he has seen with his own eyes Fields’ big-play potential.“Man, he throws a good deep ball,” Eberflus said. “I’m excited about that. … We’re going to take our shots down the field and, man, he does a nice job doing that.”All of this offseason acclaim, of course, is invigorating for the most optimistic Bears fans and the most devout Fields backers, who have visions of a bright star soon appearing in a Chicago sky that often has been pitch black the last 30 years.And for the skeptics? Those who need much more evidence to certify a breakthrough? Well, let’s just say it’s going to take more than a few flashes during organized team activities and a steady drip of predictable praise from coaches and teammates to create confidence that this floundering franchise has finally cured its decades-long quarterback problem.The truth is all the steps Fields has been making this spring are to be expected, prerequisites for success rather than indicators of likely stardom. It’s difficult for any quarterback to nosedive during OTAs when the pads aren’t yet on, the 11-on-11 work is limited and so much of the on-field action revolves around system installation.AdvertisementTo borrow an old journalism aphorism, Fields earning confidence from those around him in April and May is “dog bites man.” Not big news. [ [Don’t miss] Chicago Bears Q&A: Where is the roster most deficient? What is the ceiling and floor for Matt Eberflus’ defense? ]For a “man bites dog” headline to come out of Lake Forest during this portion of the calendar, it would take some shaken looks and doubting reviews from Fields’ pass-catchers and offensive tutors. That would be big news. Whispers of an iffy work ethic. Or fears that Fields is overwhelmed. Or a series of practices in which woeful mistakes outnumber promising moments.Right now, even with some expected inconsistency, there has been none of that. And that’s a good thing for Fields and the Bears.Bears QB Justin Fields works out on May 17, 2022, at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)Still, a “see-it-to-believe-it” philosophy with this position and this team is not only the most practical approach, it is necessary. There won’t be much substance to measure Fields until training camp is a few weeks old, the intensity is up and the urgency to get the offense into a groove becomes obvious.It will be in late-July and into August, during a six-week grind of practices and limited preseason game action, when Fields will have to show he can run this new offense smoothly, understand what he’s seeing from defenses and follow every shaky practice with steadiness and aplomb.Last month, during an interview with Fox News Digital to promote C4 Energy drinks, Fields acknowledged the bumpiness of his rookie season and questioned the environment he was asked to assimilate into.AdvertisementNow, he said, improvements are being made.“We’re kind of just trying to reculture or getting the culture in the building,” he said. “I don’t think our culture was the best culture last year.”For a team that went 6-11 with a bottom-tier offense, such criticism is fair. But only if Fields understands it is now his responsibility to take ownership of the culture he wants inside Halas Hall. He must now become the main tone-setter, the hub of energy inside the locker room. He must become the example others follow. He must embody diligent and detailed preparation habits that lead to on-field production. (Without the latter, the former won’t resonate quite as much.)[ [Don’t miss] Why did Jaylon Johnson practice with the 2nd unit? 4 things we heard from Chicago Bears defensive assistants. ]Fields must first acknowledge his own shortcomings and work to resolve them. He must hold himself accountable for the entire offense’s mistakes while pushing others to meet an elevated standard.And he must be ready for significant bumps in the road in 2022, developmental interruptions that Bears fans don’t seem fully prepared for at this point.Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy walks the field on April 20, 2022, during minicamp at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)With the quest to turn the page and look forward to a promising future rather than back at another lost era, it’s easy to dismiss or forget the struggles Fields had as a rookie — 10 interceptions, 12 fumbles, a 73.2 passer rating and a seven-game losing streak as a starter to end his first season.AdvertisementPair those undeniable blemishes with a major transition for Year 2 — new coach, new coordinator, new offense and not much new help up front or among the skills players — and it’s easy to understand why many around the NFL see a much lower 2022 ceiling for Fields than some Chicagoans do.For those who believe that in seven months the Bears will either know for sure that Fields is a certain future champion or an undeniable mistake, the massive acreage of gray area the team will wander through this season is likely going to prove uncomfortable.Don’t forget, from 2015-20, 10 quarterbacks selected in the top 20 of their respective drafts were forced to experience a coaching change after their first season. That’s a list that includes Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Jared Goff, Mitch Trubisky, Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Daniel Jones, Dwayne Haskins and Justin Herbert.Only Herbert truly excelled in his second season. And that was after a rookie campaign that already was filled with promise and production. Those other quarterbacks had, well, jagged edges on their growth charts, challenging their organizations to make difficult judgments on their futures.[ [Don’t miss] More Pilates, less beer: How Teven Jenkins is working to earn the trust of his new Chicago Bears coaches ]In other words, the likelihood is Fields’ second season will mix intoxicating flashes of brilliance with maddening surges of frustration, perhaps leaving a hung jury by January with few able to properly interpret his highest moments and the growing pains.The glowing endorsements for Fields in May could quickly turn into teeth-gritting and head-shaking questions in October and November, especially for a Bears team that will have a thin margin for error to stay at or around .500. (Losing has a way of exacerbating flaws.)AdvertisementThis season is setting up to be more disorienting than most for just those very reasons.A 23-year-old quarterback will be under intense pressure to prove himself with a lot on his plate to get that done. Fields has to jell with a new coaching staff and process a voluminous new playbook. He’ll have to identify what he likes most in the offense and be vocal about what should be discarded. He will have to understand the ins and outs of every play, be properly alert to decipher defenses and be sharp enough to pair quick and proper decisions with precise, on-time throws.Quite simply, it’s a lot.But Fields will also have enormous control over which direction everything heads with his development and the team’s progress. And for that he should be thankful, eager to prove that the current drumbeat of commendation in Lake Forest is leading to something more meaningful.

The suggestion came from the on-deck circle.“Breathe, take your time.”AdvertisementWillson Contreras’ message to rookie Christopher Morel was exactly what he needed in that moment after falling behind 0-2 in the bottom of the 10th inning Wednesday night at Wrigley Field. Morel did as Contreras instructed and focused on maintaining his approach — just put the ball in play.Two pitches later, Morel connected on Milwaukee Brewers reliever Hoby Milner’s low-and-away changeup and lofted it to left field. Morel hit it deep enough to score Jason Heyward from third base for a walk-off sacrifice fly in a 4-3 win.Advertisement“It’s amazing, this moment for me,” Morel said. “We’re working for this moment.”Morel wasn’t fixated on whether he hit the ball far enough for Heyward to score on Brewers left fielder Christian Yelich.“Heyward’s a good runner, so I trust him in this moment,” Morel said with a laugh.Morel continues to be a highlight in an otherwise underwhelming start to the season for the Cubs. He extended his franchise record career-opening on-base streak to 15 games with a walk in the first inning.“He’s been coming through for us for a while now in a lot of different ways,” manager David Ross said. “He’s one of those guys you just can’t wait until he gets back up. The top of the lineup turns over and he’s that spark.”Morel’s stolen base at third during the inning resulted in the Cubs’ first run, his aggressiveness forcing Milwaukee catcher Omar Narvaez to throw the ball away on the play. The Cubs’ 12 consecutive games with at least one stolen base is the team’s longest such stretch since recording a stolen base in 14 straight in 1986, according to team historian Ed Hartig. Morel has stolen six bases in his last 13 games.Morel’s infectious energy has been a constant since his call up last month.Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.“I love baseball,” Morel said. “God gives me these moments, so I need to give everything every time I go on the field. … I give everything to my team.”AdvertisementWhile plays like Morel’s steal paid off, the Cubs’ aggressiveness on the bases nearly cost them in the victory. They committed three outs on the bases: Contreras was thrown out trying to take an extra base at third to end the fifth, Ian Happ was caught stealing at third and Nico Hoerner was picked off at first base in the ninth, forcing extra innings.“They’re going to have some days like that,” Ross said. “You’re going to have to take some risk and push the envelope. … Any little place we can take advantage of is going to pay huge dividends.“I love the risk we’re taking in the moments we’re taking them and we’ll continue to learn from the mistakes in the areas where we need to improve.”The bullpen gave the Cubs a shot at pulling out the win. Five relievers combined to throw five scoreless innings while allowing only two hits, one walk and 10 strikeouts. Mark Leiter Jr. stranded the Brewers’ automatic runner at third base following a wild pitch. He earned his first big-league win since 2017.Kyle Hendricks went five innings and surrendered three runs.“It’s infectious when you have a guy that brings positive energy, a smile on his face every single day,” Hendricks said of Morel. “It permeates to everyone in that clubhouse. Everyone picks up and feeds off his energy.”