NFL REVISIT: HOW HAS YOUR TEAM DONE IN EARLY SEASON TRADING AND FREE AGENCY?

This past Monday came with the unofficial opening to Free Agency in the National Football League.  Not sure why they play this game with the public and for that fact, the teams.  Wednesday at 3 p.m. was the official opening of the 2025 season.  Not Monday.  But if you look at the internet, you'd seen that nearly anyone of value had pretty much found a home and agreed to terms but not signed until it became Official.  Wink.  Wink.  There are a few retreads left out there but not many.

So how did you team fair?  Did they improve themselves with some smart pickups.   Have they strengthened themselves before the Draft coming up at the end of April?  And will those additions make it more obvious where their draft strategy might lie?  The coming weeks will prove an interesting run to Thursday night, April 24th in Green Bay.  Answers to those questions above might be answered.

Looking at it right now, I think there are number of teams that have improved themselves immensely not only through this free agency but some wise trading that took place before Monday.   

  

Sudden Sam headed to the Northwest

The Washington Redskins, ohhh, sorry, the Commodores, sorry again, the Commanders, might be the leader in the clubhouse.  They've added WR Deebo Samuel, LT Laremy Tunsil, DT Javon Kinlaw and SS Will Harris.  And they still have some money to throw around if need be.  With these adds to the roster I think they've put themselves in a prime spot to challenge the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles this coming year.  Philly lost a number of players in free agency, but they always have a tendency to trade, trade and trade to add to their draft haul.    

The Chicago Bears are another team that hit it big.  And they had too.  They provided a complete upgrade to the interior of the offensive line with LG Joe Thuney, C Drew Dalman and RG Jonah Jackson.  And on the defensive side they inked DE Dayo Odeyingbo and DT Grady Jarrett.  New Head Coach Ben Johnson can now look to go with Best Player available with the 10th pick in the draft.  Perhaps RB Ashon Jeanty or TE Tyler Warren.  It might finally, might, get interesting in the NFC North.

The Packers did very little.  Detroit the same.  And what is going on in Minnesota?  The Vikings let QB's Sam Darnold (Seattle) Daniel Jones (Indianapolis) and Nick Mullens (Jacksonville) walk.  As I post this, they might have Marcus Mariota coming to the Twin Cities, but he would only be a backup for J.J. McCarthy.  They did add heavily to their defense with (DT Brian Allen, DT Jason Hargrave, CB Isaiah Rogers and offensive lineman, C Ryan Kelly and LG Will Fries but yikes....coming off two knee injuries, that's placing tremendous pressure on their No.1 draft choice in 2024 to produce. Today they only have four draft picks.  Four.  Not hardly enough in this day and age.  

The Buffalo Bills brought on Joshua Palmer, former speedster with the LA Chargers in addition to DT Larry Ogunjobi and DE Joey Bosa.  Those pickups are adding to their favorite status in the AFC East.  The New England bought heavily too. They added T Morgan Moses and the No. 2 free agent DE Milton Williams to the Northland.  In addition, they now have LB Harold Landry III and CB Carlton Davis on the defensive side of the ball.  Their main weakness continues to be wide receiver.  If they add someone of note there, that coupled with new coach Mike Yrabel, the New Englanders could finally become relevant again.   

You could probably drop the names of other franchises that spent wisely.  The LA Rams, Tampa Bay Bucs, Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals are improved.  Not certain what the Kansas City Chiefs are doing.  Not sure they've really addressed their offensive line issues, running back is still a concern and wide receiver has two people with legal issues. Okay maybe only one.  It seems Xavier Worthy talked his way out of his domestic situation.  Rashee Rice's is still up in the air.  TE Travis Kelce is a year older, and their defensive backfield now has some holes.   

Everyone else is in a wait and see mode.  There has been a buttload of money thrown around.  The Patriots have spent $214 Million thus far.  The Cleveland Browns $12.  Who will be this year's Commanders team to rise from the depths to challenge for a title?  It's anybody's guess.  But we have a long way to go yet.  For the next 6 weeks you can look at mock draft after mock draft to see who the experts think where players will land.  Good luck with that.  You might have a better idea then them of who is going where.  

If you don't have anything on your schedule for April 24-26, get online and book your free credentials to go to the NFL Fan Experience in Green Bay.  

https://www.nfl.com/draft/event-info/registration

I went several years ago to Kansas City and had a super time.  It was a great draft party and a chance to rub shoulders with friends and foes alike.  Got mine for this year too!!!  

Happy Mocking....     

      

   

  

ARE YOU READY FOR THE MADNESS OF SPORTS HEADED OUR WAY?

 

It's that time of year when the sports world is busting at the seams.  Much of it has to do with March Madness.  But there are a whole lot of other things going on too.

The Women are completing the run to the championship games in their conference tournaments in college basketball.  NCAA Tourney pairings are nearly here.  And then the portal window opens.  Heck, girls are heavy into in their high school state championships, too. Then once completed, many will begin making decisions on their college and life choices.    

The Men.  They are just about to blast our airwaves with their run to the Final Four.  And much of that is because there is no clear-cut favorite this year.  It could be Houston or Auburn.  Maybe Tennessee, Duke or Florida.  Who's your pick in the bracket?  Good fortune whoever you choose.  Boys Basketball is nearly upon us as well.  

This next month is going to be crazy.  The TV will be chalk full of game after game after game.  I almost feel sorry for someone who hates sports.  Almost.  Afterall, can't they tune into Fox News, CNN, C-Span or any of the movie sites there are?  I will say their options will be severely limited.  

Topsy Turvy Times

Let's take a look at what else will be going on in the sports world:

The NHL Trade Deadline is Friday, March 7th.  Hockey GM's love to make trades.  There will be some interesting players moving to new addresses.  Then the run for the Stanley Cup begins.  A long, long run.  

Major League Baseball is in full stride with Spring Training.  The season will open the end of March.  And it goes without saying, "there is nothing quite like Opening Day".   Hopefully, someone can challenge the Dodgers this year.  If there's one consolation, you don't win the title based on "paper".  

Let's not forget the NBA.  There are roughly 20 games left in the year.  Many fans wait until the playoffs to get really involved.  It's such a difference between the regular season and playoffs.  Will there be someone new on the mountain top in 2025?   Ya just never know. 

Football?  Football?  We're not going to forget Football, are we?  The window opens on Monday for NFL free agency.  Even though teams can't sign players until Wednesday, the 12th, player signings often become public before then.  Once the fur is done flying with player acquisitions, comes the NFL Draft.  Get ready for that the end of April.   

MLS Soccer is underway and runs into the early fall.  I'm not a big follower but kudos to anyone that's a fan.  

College Wrestling is in the Championship mode too.  Team and individual champions will be decided March 20-22.  Penn State looks like the favorite again.  Their dominance speaks for itself.

Lastly, the UFL begins play at the end of March.  If you haven't gotten your fill of sports by then, check it out.

I'm sure I'm leaving some sport out but will mention College Baseball and Softball.  Gymnastics, MMA, Boxing, Golf and Tennis.   And the only reason is, it's hard to keep up with it all the Madness headed our way.  I ask again.  Are you ready?   

P.S.  How does one forget the WNBA?  Caitlin.  Are you ready for an encore?  We can't wait.

Have fun all and enjoy your teams in the upcoming months!!!  

       

    

IN SPORTS-ADULTS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS

 

Every day sports reporters flock to practices, press conferences and locker rooms looking for a story.  It might be a lot simpler if they could do a wrap on the event without talking to anybody so called expert.  But for some reason the bosses think it's necessary to attach words to explain what took place.  We call these expressions...quotes.      

It should make sense to have athletes, coaches or former athletes try and put some spin to a story.  You'd think they could help make sense of what took place or what might happen in upcoming games or seasons.  Often though, what we find out is, that the answers we hear are some of the dumbest things imaginable.  Maybe you recall an Art Linkletter show of many years ago called, "Kids Say the Darndest Things".  Art would ask four kids on stage their responses to a question.  Some of the kids were shy but others were off the chart hilarious.  There were often some doozies.  It meant for a wild time because you'd have no idea what would come out of the mouths of babes.  We've graduated though.  The adults are now saying some of the dumbest things ever.  Maybe they're feeling forced to come up with an answer or they haven't pondered the right answer long enough.  I gathered up some of the responses that you might remember.  Take a look at the videos followed by some texts of ones that head the list.    

Let's start with common sense...

Do you remember Arizona Cardinals Head Coach, Denny Green, blowing up at the podium after a loss to the Chicago Bears in 2006?   I don't think the Cardinal fan base thought much of his rant.   

How about Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni's first press conference in January of 2021. Talk about rambling.  First impressions on Nick weren't so good but he sure made up for it winning the Super Bowl this past February.

  . 

Playoffs?  Playoffs?  Let's hear Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Jim Mora talk about his team's chances of making the playoffs after a regular season loss to the 49ers in 2001.  He was fired when the season ended.

One of the strangest responses to a reporter's question came from Philadelphia 76ers Allen Iverson in 2002 after missing a team practice.  His nickname was "The Answer".  Not sure if it came from this press conference.  

Let's do some rapid-fire quotes. These have to jog a memory or two:

Oklahoma Basketball Coach Billy Tubbs.  "This year we plan to run and shoot.  Next year we plan to run and score"

Boston Celtic Forward Antoine Walker.  "Why do you shoot so many three pointers?  Because there are no fours".

Coach Weldon Drew, New Mexico State Head Basketball Coach when asked to explain his team's shooting issues.  "We have a great bunch of outside shooters.  Unfortunately, all our games are played inside".  

Orlando Magic GM Pat Williams.  "We can't win at home, and we can't win on the road.  As a general manager I can't think of anywhere else to play". 

Former NBA All-Star Latrell Sprewell on his contract dispute.  "I told you I needed to feed my family, they offered me 3 years at 21 million.  That's not going to cut it...If (owner Glen) Taylor wants to see my family fed, he better cough up some money.  Otherwise, you're going to see these kids in one of those Sally Struthers commercials soon". 

Former NFL QB Joe Theismann.  Nobody in football should be called a genius.   A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein". 

Ex-Chicago Bears William Perry on his size.  "I've been Big since I was little".

Former PGA Tour Golfer Greg Norman.  "I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father".

Former Phillie Randy Ready to Pirates Andy Van Slyke regarding Phillies switch-pitcher Greg Harris.  "He's amphibious", Van Slyke responds.  "What does that mean, he can pitch underwater?"

Yes, adults can and do say the darndest things.  And they'll continue too.  I'm sure of it.  Hopefully the teams you follow have people with some smarts that can explain things properly.   Because if you don't expect a whole lot of crap from your buddies along with some LOL's.  

I'm gonna end this post with a little ditty I came across recently.  It's not at all what I expected.  

Did you even notice Shimizu sitting in the background?  I didn't. 

Have a great day and keep smiling......

YOU MAKE THE CALL

 

Over the years there have been a number of sports sites with the title, "You Make The Call".  The express purpose was to offer sports fans an opportunity to express their disappointments with referee calls that determined the outcome of games.  Sometimes, very crucial games.

While their existence created a platform, I'm not sure they offered anything regarding the improvement in the officiating profession.  And it should have.  Each sport has their own issues.  The better the athletes become, the harder it is to officiate a game properly.  But that shouldn't be the fans job to correct.  It's each individual sport. Those leaders need to do a much better job of reviewing each referee's game tape, offer critiques and insight to help eliminate some of the poor calls we're seeing.  Let's take a look at the game of Women's basketball.

 A 2024 Women's NCAA battle featuring the Iowa Hawkeyes and the UCONN Huskies. Iowa was leading 70-69 with 10 seconds left and UCONN inbounding the ball.  

As UConn's Aaliyah Edwards screened Gabbie Marshall to give Paige Bueckers a chance for the winning shot, the Iowa guard flailed to her right and immediately knew the screen was indeed illegal, yelling into crowd in celebration after an offensive foul was called.  "I think we knew going in that we needed to get a stop and obviously, at least the ball was going to go to Paige and I'm pretty sure that was the game plan.  I figured they were going to try to set a couple of screens, and I was staying on her hip the whole game.  And if I'm on her hip, the person can't move into you, and they have to give you room to go around it if you're sticking with them on their hip."   

As crucial as that call was, it provided the rule and the reason for the official's whistle. 

This past Sunday Iowa was involved in another screen "mess" as they battled with #4 ranked UCLA.  This time, UCLA had the ball with under seven seconds left in a 65-65 game.  Iowa's Lucy Olsen was the defender as she tried to fight through a screen when she fell down and was called for "falling".  In looking further,

it appears a UCLA player put out her leg was caused the infraction.  A quote from 247 Sports offers this scenario.  "There's a real argument that an illegal screen took place.  Per the NCAA rulebook, the screener must maintain a normal stance with the inside of the feet not wider than should width apart.  It also states that a foul will be called if the screener extends the legs beyond legal width and trips a defender who is attempting to move around the screen."

UCLA hit two free throws and won the game 67-65.  

You've seen two calls involving the screen game.  You make the call.  It seems obvious that games are being decided with no consistency in mind.  

With the Women's game continuing to grow, there needs to be improvement in how the games are being called.  It's time to head to school, refs. That part of the game needs attention, like right now. There needs universal agreement in making things better so we can all see the sport flourish.

LAYUPS, LAYUPS AND LAYUPS.

Good grief.  I'm shocked by the number of bunnies (layups for the common fan) that are missed each and every game.  I get it that the women play below the rim.  So very little if any dunking takes place in their game.  But, what the heck.  If your team has a tendency to miss free throws, a coach puts his team at the line during practice to try and right the problem.  Do they not see this?   I.e.  Iowa unofficially missed 10 layups against Ohio State last Monday.  They ultimately, lost in overtime.  I have to think the coaching staff charts missed layups.  And that should show the problem.  Games are being decided by deficiencies there perhaps more than missed free throws.  Just an observation.  Just sayin....     

TIME TO BE PATIENT HAWKEYE WOMEN BASKETBALL FANS

It's been a roller coaster season for the 2024-25 Hawkeye Women's Basketball team.  It started with eight straight wins before losing to Tennessee 88-78 at the Shark Beauty Women's Champions Classic in Brooklyn, New York. Then a came a home victory over Iowa State 75-69, before losing to Michigan State on the road 68-66. 

Since then, it's been three straight wins, then fives losses in a row followed by six more wins in succession.  That brings them to a 18-7 mark in mid-February.  Is that what Hawks fans envisioned after two consecutive runs to the National Championship game?  Maybe, maybe not.  

There's no question this season was going to be one for growth. You knew that would be apparent with five new freshmen, one portal transfer and a new head coach, Jan Jensen.  Then came the February 2nd win over #4 ranked USC on the day Caitilin Clark had her jersey retired.  That win refueled the fan base.  For a team that looked like it might miss the NCAA Tournament altogether, hope returned.  Now, it's going to be interesting to see what transpires with upcoming games against #9 Ohio State on the road (Feb.17) and back home to face previous #1 UCLA (Feb. 23).  The Bruins were beaten by USC Thursday night 71-60.  It would have been Carver Crazy had UCLA came in undefeated.  Now, more than ever it is coming down to this.  One game at a time.  And then when the season is over, we can make an assessment.  It's the future that has Iowa bordering on hysteria.

Next year, Iowa has three top recruits coming to Iowa City.  Leading that group is guard Addie Deal, a top 10 recruit from California, followed by a top 40 forward Journey Houston from Davenport and the second rated center in the 2025 class in Layla Hayes from Alaska.  Iowa has at least two more open scholarships for next year.  Maybe more if someone else transfers.  Will Jensen opt to sign more high school players or hit the portal to add at positions of need (i.e. backup point guard or power forward)?  That's the dilemma.  With every move that Iowa makes in the 2025 class, it's going to impact any commitments for 2026.  Case in point.  Let's say the Hawks add a power forward in 2025.  If it's a person with one year left it might not have a negative effect.  However, let's say it's someone with more than a season of eligibility left.  Does Addison Bjorn or McKenna Woliczko then decide to look at some other program where they can play immediately?  It remains to be seen.  Players are much more ready to play right away then they were in previous years. They won't sit for very long.  That's a certainty.

So, we're at this juncture now.  If you scan the message boards of the various Hawkeye websites you can see Recruiting Threads of years 2025, 2026 and now 2027.  Potential recruits are scrutinized or praised for whatever they could bring to the Hawks nest.  Every recruit that has visited Iowa City has their own little fan base.  "Come to Iowa.  You look great in Black and Gold.  You'll love our fans", are just some of the comments they receive.  

The day Clark had her number retired was one where a who's who of basketball recruits were on hand.  The number one ranked player in 2026, point guard Kate Harpring from Georgia was there as was the top player in Iowa for next year, the multi-dimensional Jenica Lewis. Throw in 2026 forward Addison Bjorn out of Kansas City, 2027 guard Finley Chastain of Dallas and 2028 guard Jhaliana Guy from Bettendorf and it's easy to see why fans are excited.  But hold on. 

This past week I was traveling back from Colorado.  I figured since Iowa was playing in Nebraska in Lincoln, I'd take in a game where it was a little easier to come by an Iowa ticket.  I got there early and had several conversations with people around the program.  "Why hasn't anyone committed from the big weekend?", I asked.  The general consensus was there was a some surprise from the Iowa staff as well that no one had pulled trigger. What else could Iowa have done to show recruits what playing at Iowa would be like?  No program nationwide could match the experience a recruit would have had from Clark's Day.  No one.  

So, this is the conclusion I've come to.  I'd be surprised if anyone commits before their high season is over.  Then the floodgates might open.  If a recruit sees one person recruited to her position at a program, she will most likely move on.  Likewise, if....a player makes as decision and commits the remaining Iowa scholarships might go quickly.  Because of that, I see Jenica Lewis as a key component for Iowa's future. Her commitment would be a huge beginning for the 2026 class. 

Will Jenica open the floodgates?

There is ramped up enthusiasm for the remainder of this year.  If Iowa plays well next week against Ohio State and UCLA, who knows how far this team can go.     

 But in the end, there will be one word needed to be stressed for now and the future.  

PATIENCE.      

P.S.  After publishing this post, I got to thinking about the UCLA game coming up on February 23rd.     McKenna Woliczko from California suffered an ACL injury this winter.  Her high school season is over with.  I wondered if Woliczko might take an official visit that day or if some other young guns might show up.  All sorts of thoughts started running through my mind in the what if's.  Then I hit the brakes.  Woah, Nellie.  Heck, I'm no different than everyone else.  Patience.  Patience.  We're talking about Patience, man.       

       

  

 

 

    

  

CHICAGO KNOWS HOW TO THROW A HOCKEY PARTY

"What's up Chicago......you guys excited or what?" offered Chicago Blackhawk star winger Patrick Kane this past Thursday to a full house rally at Soldiers Field.  The reason, quite simply, was the third title celebration in the last six years for the National Hockey League Stanley Cup Champions.

Now, while these victory parties might be getting somewhat normal in their occurrences in Chicago, the behavior exhibited by a fan base of  Blackhawk crazies was not.  And the reason I can say that with total candor, is that I experienced it first hand.  


Captain Jonathan Toews raises Lord Stanley again



After the Blackhawks clinched the Cup with a 2-0 win over Tampa Bay last Monday night, I turned to my youngest son, Jordan, and said, "you know they'll have a parade and rally this week, you want go?"  Right away he was game for the trip....but the factor was going to be when and what time.  

Late in the afternoon on Tuesday came these words.  " Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the City of Chicago will celebrate the 2015 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, with a parade followed by a rally at Soldier Field.  Free tickets to the celebration rally with the Chicago Blackhawks team and the coveted Stanley Cup trophy at Soldier Field will be made available on Wednesday, June 17th at 12 noon at www.ticketmaster.com. .  .There is a limit of four tickets per person.
“The City of Chicago is so proud of the Blackhawks, which is why we are going to throw them a celebration that only Chicago can throw – a celebration worthy of a hockey dynasty,” said Mayor Emanuel.

Over 2 million fans packed the streets

Long story short, Jordan and I decided that if we were lucky enough to get tickets to the rally, we'd go.  So, at noon on Wednesday, we both hopped on the Ticketmaster site....no doubt along with several million other Hawks fans, trying as we might,  to nab some freebies.  Somehow and I'm still not sure how, we landed some tickets.  Later we heard the 68,000 tickets were gone in 15 minutes.  Like I said, somehow, we lucked out.     

The next morning, we hit the road at 3 a.m. for the excursion to the Windy City.  Both of us, no doubt, had sleep mixed with a twinkle in our eyes.  Excited for sure.  The night before we looked at the best way to navigate the journey.  The best route for us was to drive into the suburbs and take the Metra to Union Station.  Our target was Naperville, where we arrived at 7:45 a.m.....parked the car and paid $10 for two round trip tickets to downtown Chicago.

While we waited for the train to roll into the station, we were among a legion of Hawks team jerseys, hats and t-shirts worn by people of all ages and sizes.  Red, red and more red.   The crowd waiting to board grew by the second... but there was calm. ...no crowding or pushing as we entered the vessel to Hawkland.  30 minutes later we arrived at our destination and the realization became even clearer, this would be another 2 million crowd celebration.   

An excited, but well behaved fan base

As we left the bowels of the dark, dank Union Station into a hazy humid morning we quickly realized that if we wanted to beat the crowd to Soldiers Field, we'd better beat feet.

Fast forward to outside the stadium.  As we rounded the corner near the Museum we were met by a throng of people.  Just hanging, waiting, hoping to see a glimpse of any Blackhawk on the double-decker busses which would bring the players to the stadium.  I'm not sure how long they'd been waiting, but it no doubt had been awhile.  But then something became apparent....actually strange. 

I looked around, kept looking and searching, but there was not one scalper in sight.  Nobody asking for tickets and no one offering to sell.  I said strange, because on Wednesday, we'd heard of people trying to scalp free tickets on EBAY and Craigslist.  Again, not one was in view.  

Inside Soldiers Field, the crowd grew ever so slowly.  When Patrick Kane offered his "what's up Chicago" there had to have been somewhere around 80,000 counting stadium seating and those on the floor.  The Rally was well done and well received.  It would be hard to think otherwise.  It was truly a Hawk Day for fans and players and the organization alike. 

There were a couple of observations I was left with as we made our way back downtown for some Chicago pizza and the rides back home.  First off, there was no alcohol sold at the Rally.  Class.  Secondly, as we watched replays of the parade on the monitor in the restaurant, I was struck by the masses that lined the streets.  Hundreds of Thousands and more...... but more amazing was through all of this, there was no rioting, no looting and no fighting.  How many times have we seen cities throw celebrations that have backfired with stupid behavior?  Not here, not in Chicago.  Class Act. 

But more importantly, this Hawks organization has captured a whole throng of fans, young and old alike, they get it.  And the fans give it back.  Despite not being able to use Grant Park for a Rally due to wet grounds, they still were able to offer the connection needed for their fan base.  If ever there was a true affection for a team and a city,  Chicago has it...... 

Here's hoping there's more celebrations to come.

John     

        

IT'S TIME FOR ROBIN VENTURA TO GO

I read a story from South Town Sox the other day, which addressed a point...but left me thinking they'd danced around the only real answer.  A website known as an information source for the Chicago White Sox talked about this year's edition which was playing less than stylish baseball.  As they suggested:

"The Chicago White Sox have stumbled out of the gate in 2015, but that does not mean the season is over. The amount of talent on this team is evident, as team owner Jerry Reinsdorf did not allow Rick Hahn to break the bank bringing in good ballplayers for this slow start.

The beginning to this season should be manager Robin Ventura's wake up call to improve his game management or think about a different career. (Note: this is not an article promoting the firing of Ventura, merely a put-on-warning-type article.)

I have consistently stood up for Ventura in the past,  and am generally against mid-season coaching changes which is why there is time for this season to get turned around", suggested a South Town reporter.

But it's time to address the elephant in the room.  General Manager Rick Hahn spent millions of dollars to bring in free agent prizes such as pitcher Zach Duke and David Robertson and then spent additional dollars in acquiring hitters Melky Cabrera and Adam LaRoche and tossed a bunch of players to acquire starting pitcher Jeff Smardzija.  "The time is now" was a statement being thrown around.  But let's turn that around and offer, "now is the time".  Manager Robin Ventura has to go. 

In turning on the game Tuesday night, I was greeted by a scoreboard that suggested as much.  It was in the 7th and the Sox were trailing the Texas Rangers 11-2.  Minutes later the deficit grew to 15-2.  And as Sox broadcaster, Steve Stone, offered.  "tonight is a night to forget and get back it tomorrow".  The problem is, the eventual loss to the Rangers dropped Chicago to 23-27 on the season.  



Ventura in a fit of passion....even though he got whipped

"The good news is we have a lot of baseball players with a lot of heart, we have the talent and we believe we have the drive in these guys to ultimately win the division," Chicago Executive Kenny Williams said recently.  "I said during spring training that this team was built for the long run and would grind from Day 1 to 162 and I still believe that."

"We have a lineup that no matter who the pitcher is should compete and battle one through nine and do some damage," he said. "We have a little speed at the top and the bottom, a little power in the middle and some good average hitters and base runners. We just haven't put it all together yet."

The person responsible is clearly Ventura.  He has, over the course of his 3 plus years as the leader of men, been one that appears to lack the passion you'd hope for.   When he signed an extension last year, he was asked by a local Chicago radio anchor if he really "wanted this job".  His answer then was lukewarm.  His results since then even worse.

Simple criticism comes from his lineup cards an his inability to handle a pitching staff.  And let's throw in one of the worst defensive teams in the entire league.  A change to the batting order should look like this: (Adam Eaton, Alexi Ramirez, Melky Cabrera, Jose Abreu, Adam LaRoche. Avisail Garcia, Conor Gillaspie, Geovany Soto and Carlos Sanchez.  Ramirez hits much better in the 2nd spot in the order....and Soto is an improvement over Tyler Flowers, who quite frankly has shown he is not a major league starter.  Sanchez might, be an answer....might.

In the pitching department, Ventura has consistently proved he does not have a handle on the roles of his players.  He either overuses pitchers or puts them in situations where they are completely overmatched....or uncomfortable.  Closer David Robertson has been thrust into too many back to back situations as has setup man Zach Duke when there are other pen possibilities like Zach Putnam or Jake Petricka or newly added Daniel Webb.

Far too many times Ventura has sat on his hands and played little strategy in the game.  Occasions were a sacrifice is needed, he has his players hitting away.  My biggest concern is the lack of passion exhibited by the 2015 Sox.....and the club appears to be lacking a clubhouse leader  among its 25-man roster.

"It's still early", said GM Hahn.  "We have over 110 games or so left, so we have some time".  I'm not so sure.  The Central Division is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in all of baseball.

As I look at the Central Division standings of the American League today, I wonder what Hahn sees.  Minnesota has clearly been a surprise as the leader.  Will that stand?  Who knows.  And then right behind are the Kansas City Royals, the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians.  In last, are the Sox.

I'll be the first to say I don't know Ventura.  I met him once, at the College World Series in Omaha where he was signing autographs as one of the greats in college baseball history.  I caught him at the end of his session and he was clearly ready to check out.  I wasn't all that impressed.  

As I see it, there is one immediate change that needs to be made...and that's in the dugout.   And if Ventura isn't ready to go quietly, maybe Nolan Ryan should be called upon to put a couple of noogies on his head.  Maybe he'd then see it's time too. 

Thanks for reading,

John