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There are plenty of capable hitters able to carry the Sox offense — starting with Tim Anderson on down through José Abreu, Yasmani Grandal, Luis Robert and Yoán Moncada, who can all slug. The Sox boast star talent, but at some point they will need a role player to step up. The most obvious spots are at second base and right field where they have received the most inconsistent production, rating 25th and 26th, respectively, in wins above average at those two positions.
John Aranza has lived his whole life within walking distance of there. Sitting on the front steps of his Bridgeport bungalow, he explained the meaning of those painted lines, which look like an archaeologist had marked the site of a search for ancient treasure. The comparison isn’t bad, at least for Aranza; The lines trace the base paths of a beloved, vanished ballpark that lives on in his heart.
“The Sox are more blue-collared. It definitely shows the grit of the South Side, and shows the passion and being able to overcome a lot of adversity,” said Gutierrez, 26. “A Cubs fan on the North Side I think is more a white-collar, office worker, kind of more upscale.”
The Chicago Sky’s Candace Parker, left, drives to the basket in the first quarter during Game 4 of the WNBA semifinals against the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Parker scored 17 points in the 79-69 win, putting the Sky in the WNBA Finals for the second time in franchise history. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
Infusing the organization with young talent was an important part of the Cubs’ transformation then, some of which was already within the organization by 2013 via trades, international signings and the draft, including Kyle Hendricks, Javier Báez, Willson Contreras and Albert Almora Jr., who already were working their way through their minor-league system. The Cubs’ high-upside prospects predominately played in the Arizona rookie league or at the A-ball level this year, which will require patience in the speed at which they can ascend to the majors.
Prosecutors alleged that for years, Bruce Lee, 35, owner of Chicago-based brokerage Great Tickets, would pass former White Sox ticket sales booth staffers James Costello and William O’Neil an envelope full of cash, and they would pass back an envelope of tickets that, using insider knowledge, he had fraudulently procured for free or at a heavy discount.
“We just have enough experience in these things that you need to see how the first two games go and then see what you do,” La Russa said. “Not whether they’re wins or losses, but mostly who’s available, who you’ve used, the candidates. Dylan (Cease) would definitely be a candidate. We’re still waiting to see Carlos (Rodón’s) availability.”
“Coach Nagy came to us and challenged us,” right tackle Germain Ifedi said. “He said, ‘All right, we’re going to run the offense. Our identity is going to start up front.’ We know if up front we’re not doing it, the offense isn’t going to (work) whether we’re running it or throwing. We just wanted the opportunity to show who we are. I think Sunday was a step in the right direction of, all right, this is who we are.”
On Oct. 5 that year, the White Sox played the Tampa Bay Rays. It was Game 3 in the series and the first home playoff game for the White Sox. The team gave away 40,000 black rally towels. Coming home with two losses in Florida, the Sox won that game 5-3. They lost the series the following night, with the Rays winning 6-2, ending the White Sox’s playoff run.
“We’ve had several discussions in the clubhouse about how stubborn he’s going to be about admitting how he feels for the game (Thursday),” La Russa said. “We’ll just put his hand on the baseball bible and see. But I think for certain, if he’s not in there (Thursday), he’ll be in there (Friday).”