Browsing: Sports
Back in December 2016 the Cubs were still experiencing their World Series hangover, and their fans were talking dynasty as if it was a fait accompli. The Sox were beginning a long and grueling rebuild by trading ace Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox for Yoán Moncada, Michael Kopech and a couple other prospects, giving up their most popular player in the prime of his career.
“He’s a super smart guy,” Gipson said. “But sometimes he thinks light years ahead. So sometimes when he first brings an idea up, you’ll say, ‘Sean, there’s no way that’s going to work.’ But when he breaks it down, you understand his mind and you get how he thinks. … The game of football slows down. After he breaks it down to you, you’ll say, ‘OK, five minutes ago, there’s no way I would have put that together. But now it makes sense.’ And that’s just playing football at a high level.”
“I feel like I’ve always been really consistent in that,” Bryant said. “Sometimes the narrative out there has never been right, and it’s been frustrating for me to see some of that. But deep down in my heart, I know I’ve had some of the best memories here and the best times in my life. It’d be really stupid of me not to say hey, if they wanted me here, of course I’m always going to listen because Chicago is a special place to me.”
Since the Cubs drafted Báez with the 9th pick in the 2011 draft, his raw power has been a staple of his offensive production. While his strikeout totals can be problematic, — he currently leads the National League in the category — Báez still is one of the more entertaining players in baseball. He has been nicked up at times this season, including not starting three games this week because of a sore left heel. But Báez has been one of their most valuable all-around players.
“We viewed Craig as the premier relief pitcher available at this trade deadline, and so we knew the cost would be steep in terms of parting with young talent,” said Sox general manager Rick Hahn in a statement. “But we recognize the special opportunity that currently exists and our team, our clubhouse and our fans deserve to know we will do everything we can to reach the postseason and win meaningful games in October.”
Perhaps the closest thing to a perfect ending at Wrigley was had by Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood, who announced his retirement before a Cubs-White Sox game on May 19, 2012. Wood struck out the last hitter he faced to end the inning, then walked off to a standing ovation, only to see his 6-year-old son Justin running out from the dugout onto the field.
“This team just kept pushing for 90 minutes, 120 minutes, and we just kept believing that we were going to find a way to get it done,” Naeher said. “Very proud of the four players to step up and score their four penalties to go 4 for 4. That is huge.”
The U.S. women’s rugby team lost in the quarterfinals Friday and have been eliminated from medal contention. (Brian Cassella) USA’s Lauren Doyle (6) and teammates take the pitch to face Japan in a pool play rugby match, July 29, 2021 at the Budokan during the Tokyo Olympics. The USA defeated Japan 17-7. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) USA’s Kayla Canett tackles Japan’s Raichel Bativakalolo in a pool play rugby match, July 29, 2021, at the Budokan during the Tokyo Olympics. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) USA’s Cheta Emba goes over the Japan defense in a pool play rugby match on July 29, 2021. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) USA’s Kayla Canett is tackled by Japan’s Mei Otani in a pool play rugby match on July 29, 2021. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) USA’s Lauren Doyle tackles Japan’s Miyu Shirako in a pool play rugby match, July 29, 2021, during the Tokyo Olympics. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) A robot delivers the game ball to the pitch before a women’s pool play rugby match, July 29, 2021 at Tokyo Stadium. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) France’s Coralie Bertrand is crunched by the Brazil defense in a pool play rugby match, July 29, 2021. France defeated Brazil 40-5. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) New Zealand and Great Britain go up for the ball during a pool play rugby match, July 29, 2021, during the Tokyo Olympics. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) Australia’s Madison Ashby reaches for the ball against China’s Xiaoyan Xu in a pool play rugby match, July 29, 2021. Australia defeated China 26-10. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) China’s Minglin Tang advances the ball against Australia’s Dominique du Toit, July 29, 2021. Australia defeated China 26-10. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) France’s Jade Ulutule advances the ball against Brazil’s Bianca Silvia in a pool play rugby match on July 29, 2021. France defeated Brazil 40-5. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) Canada’s Charity Williams tackles Fiji’s Alowesi Nakoci in a pool play rugby match on July 29, 2021. Fiji defeated Canada 26-12. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) Australia’s Charlotte Caslick advances the ball against China in a pool play rugby match on July 29, 2021. Australia defeated China 26-10. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) Australia takes the pitch to face China in a pool play rugby match on July 29, 2021 at Tokyo Stadium. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
Voit, nearing a return from a stint on the injured list due to left knee inflammation, is likely the player to be left out in this scenario. Voit has been ineffective at the plate even when on the field, with just three home runs and a .698 OPS in 122 plate appearances. The slugger who led MLB in home runs in last year’s COVID-19 abbreviated season, has been mentioned in trade rumors going back to last winter. The Yankees have tried shopping him this year, but have found limited interest with Voit on the IL right now.
“I feel really good,” she said. “I feel absolutely amazing. I’ve been preparing myself for pretty much a dog fight, a battle, maybe one of the greatest shot put competitions of all time, so I’m really ready. I’m really focused. I’m ready to get it and compete against really great athletes.”