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The high was 89 degrees on Oct. 7, 2007. For the first time in Chicago Marathon history, officials cut the race short as hundreds of runners laboring across oven-like streets were treated for heat-related illnesses. The stoppage happened about 3 1/2 hours after the start amid complaints of insufficient water for the nearly 36,000 runners. Of the 35,867 who started, 24,933 finished. More than 300 runners were taken from the course in ambulances. One runner, a Michigan police officer with a heart condition, died, although the Cook County medical examiner’s office determined his death was not heat-related.
Wiederer: Right. The good news for Fields and the Bears is that, barring injury, he will finish this season with 62-plus quarters of experience. That extensive playing time, through all the ups and downs, will prove invaluable. And given that Fields has proved he has the resolve to endure struggle, the mindset to continually pursue growth and the temperament to avoid becoming overwhelmed, there was little sense forcing him to continue his development off to the side.
The Sox lost those two home games to fall 3-1 in the series, ending the season for La Russa’s first playoff team. A lineup full of Sox sluggers, including Ron Kittle, Harold Baines and Greg Luzinski, hit a collective .211 with no home runs in the four games, proving once again anything can happen in October.
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.
“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.”
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 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.”